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INTRODUCTION
The
Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program™ (STEP) is a
voluntary certification initiative developed by Sustainable Travel
International for tourism providers who are based out of the U.S.
This user-friendly system measures travel companies' environmental, economic, and social-cultural impacts, helping them to minimize their negative impacts and enhance their positive impacts.
STEP also provides consumers with an easy way to identify tourism providers who are committed to the triple bottom line of respect for the environment, social responsibility and economic profitability.
DISCLAIMER
Sustainable
Travel International's Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program
("STEP") is not in any way affiliated with the World Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism - Eliminating Poverty ("ST-EP")
program.
WHY
IS THERE A NEED FOR ECO-CERTIFICATION?
Global tourism is on the verge of tremendous growth. In 2003, there were 694 million international tourism arrivals, a figure that is expected to reach 1 billion by 2010.
Tourism generates about 10 percent of total world gross domestic product and employs over 10% of the global workforce, yet a recent U.N. report on tourism in the least developed countries notes that, on average, 55 percent of tourism expenditures remain outside of host countries.
Also, the world's tourists are starting to visit more remote and unusual destinations. While this change will lessen the impact on more overcrowded tourist sites, it will increase pressure on environmentally and culturally fragile destinations.
Concern over the human and environmental costs of tourism is now an issue that is of pressing concern for a growing market of responsible travelers. In America alone, nearly 55.1 million people have a preference for unique and culturally authentic travel experiences that protect and preserve the ecological and cultural environment.
As with the organic food sector of the global food industry, conscientious consumers are now demanding best practices within the travel industry that are healthy for themselves and the environment.
This is the opportunity presented by Sustainable Travel International - to offer a standard or eco-label for best practices within the travel industry while helping to build consumer awareness and demand for tourism that is truly sustainable.
IS
THERE A SINGLE ECO-CERTIFICATION SYSTEM?
According
to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), more than 60 voluntary "green" certification
programs were developed for the tourism industry between 1992
and 2002. 78% are based in Europe, 17% are based outside of Europe,
and 5% have an international focus.
Similar initiatives exist internationally. However, STEP is the only sustainable tourism certification initiative designed specifically for the U.S. travel industry. The program takes into consideration the varied aspects of our travel industry as well as the unique environments and cultures where U.S.-based companies operate.
Before the inception of STEP in 2002, a certification program, agreeable and applicable to the many sectors of the U.S. travel and tourism industry, had yet to be established.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
STEP is designed to assist tourism providers in continuously improving their operating standards. The criteria contained in STEP are reviewed on an on-going basis to reflect improved industry performance and standards. New and evolving criteria will be put into place as tourism providers continuously improve their standards and technological advances are made. All suggestions and comments for improving STEP are taken into consideration.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
STEP integrates concepts from programs that incorporate internationally accepted criteria for sustainable tourism, including but not limited to the Global Reporting Initiative - Tour Operator's Initiative Performance Indicators, Mohonk Agreement Principles for the Certification of Sustainable and Eco-tourism, and Agenda 21 Principles for Sustainable Development.
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