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Welcome to Sustainable Travel International's (STI) monthly Consumer Travel Report. You are on our list because at some point in time you have thought about the travel and tourism industry's impacts on our environment. If you wish to opt-out, simply reply to this message with unsubscribe in the subject line.

To start with, we would like to acknowledge the fact that everybody travels. We love to visit new and exciting places, spend time with loved ones, relax and play. However, the global community is getting smaller, and our cumulative impacts from traveling are getting bigger. Everywhere we go and everything we do, affects local communities, economies and the environment. For years we have evaluated the need for travel services that are healthy for the planet. Now we want to share our efforts with you!

Please assist in shaping our future, beginning right here with this forum. Below are specific topics related to our efforts and sustainable tourism. They are not only meant to be informative, but engaging and interactive as well.

If you have any questions or feedback, please e-mail us or call 800-276-7764. Thank you for supporting sustainable tourism. We look forward to serving you!

Yours sincerely,

Brian T. Mullis and Peter D. Krahenbuhl,
Co-founders

In this issue you will find:
1. Sustainable Tourism & Certification
2. Demand for Sustainable Tourism
3. How does it work?
4. Public Input
5. FREE Membership

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The Travel and Tourism Industry - arguably the largest industry in the world - is waking to the dawn of a new, more sustainable era. Travelers and businesses alike are beginning to understand their cumulative impact on the earth's environment, local cultures and economies. People are demanding travel services that meet high standards, helping to ensure that their decisions are healthy for themselves and the planet.

Defining Sustainable Development
First we have to back up a step and define the concept of sustainable development. The World Commission on Environment and Development (The Brundtland Commission) defines sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

In other words, though development is essential for survival and improving our quality of life, it must maintain all of the natural and human resources upon which it depends.

In the travel and tourism industry, then, we are applying a best practices standard of certifying responsible travel and tourism providers who maintain and preserve the ecological integrity of the environment while meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of current or future generations.

Defining Sustainable Tourism Certification
Sustainable Tourism Certification are programs that measure a range of environmental, socio-cultural, and economic equity issues both internally or within the business, service, or product and externally on the surrounding community and physical environment (Honey and Rome, 2001).

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As evidence of the growing demand for travel that has a positive impact on the planet, a recent study sponsored by the Travel Industry Association of America and National Geographic Traveler, found that at least 55.1 million Americans could be classified as "sustainable tourists." Specifically, the study states that:

"These travelers have ceaseless expectations for unique and culturally authentic travel experiences that protect and preserve the ecological and cultural environment." (Stueve-Cook-Drew, The Geotourism Study: Phase I, TIA-National Geographic Traveler, 2002)

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. People and organizations from all over the world are contacting us about getting involved in our program.

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At Sustainable Travel International (STI), we're promoting global sustainable tourism development and providing eco-certification for U.S.-based travel and tourism providers who engage in responsible business practices.

Simply put, our eco-certification program is a rating system. We have researched the world's leading tourism certification programs and initiatives. And we have designed a user-friendly, voluntary program that has been evaluated by numerous organizations and individuals in the private and public sectors.

Our program is based on standardized measurement and reporting methods for the "triple bottom line" of economic, environmental and social performance. Travel and tourism providers pursuing eco-certification will receive a numerical rating up to 100 points based on their performance in these areas. Verification of the information provided will be derived through independent third party audits.

Travelers will benefit by having access to high quality standards that are aligned with their values. Tourism providers will benefit from lowering costs through resource productivity and the reduction of waste while gaining improved market presence. Host communities and local economies will benefit from the positive contribution to their natural, social and cultural environments.

In a nutshell, we're here to promote a system of positive, healthy growth within the travel industry. And we need your input!

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