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NEWS AND FEATURES
Travel Industry Eco-certification Program Pilot Test Launched

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Boulder, Colorado Boulder, CO (April 29, 2004) - Sustainable Travel International (STI) announced today that it has officially launched the pilot test for its Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program™ (STEP) at www.sustainabletravel.com.

STEP is a user-friendly, voluntary certification initiative developed by STI for the U.S. travel industry. The program is designed to assist tourism providers in measuring environmental, socio-economic, and cultural impacts while maximizing their positive impacts. In doing so, eco-certified companies will receive benefits that include:

Enhanced Quality

• STEP is focused on impact management, helping tourism providers to ensure the preservation of destinations and cultures for future generations. This equates to more attractive environments and better products.
  
• STEP provides access to standards recognized as best innovative practices within the travel industry, helping businesses to meet higher standards through continuous improvement.
  

Improved Profitability

• STEP is a systematic approach that lowers costs through resource productivity and waste reduction while positively contributing to environmental conservation and the well being of local people.
  
• STEP assists tourism providers in adding value to local community's economies, helping them to safeguard the livelihood of local and indigenous people.
  

Broader Market Appeal

• Tourism providers licensed to use STEP logos demonstrate their commitment and performance to environmental and socio-economic issues, making them more attractive to responsible travelers which encompass over one-third of the U.S. travel market.
  

Though similar initiatives exist internationally, STEP is the only initiative of its kind designed specifically for the U.S. travel industry. The program takes into consideration the varied aspects of the U.S. travel industry as well as the unique environments and cultures where U.S.-based companies operate. It is expected that STEP will become the future standard by which responsible travelers will evaluate potential travel providers - in a similar fashion as today's Consumer Reports.

The pilot test is open for feedback from travel and tourism providers based inside and outside of the U.S. as well as governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and consumers. There is no cost for participating in the pilot test. However, participants have a unique opportunity to help STI shape the program for maximum impact in the market place.

"Our goal is to develop STEP as a useful tool in a transparent manner - one that provides an incentive to travel professionals within the U.S. to apply for eco-certification and focus on the triple bottom line of environmental conservation, social responsibility, and economic profitability" said Brian T. Mullis, President of STI. "We want to make sure this pilot test meets those important standards."

The STEP pilot will be tested for two months through June 30. Following the pilot test, STI will carefully assess the pilot results and performance before making final modifications and releasing the program within the U.S. travel and tourism market place, tentatively scheduled for July 2004.

For more information on STI or STEP, visit www.sustainabletravel.com. Tourism providers interested in submitting an application for the pilot test are instructed to apply on-line, call 800-276-7764 or email STI.