Sustainable Travel International | Travel Without a Traceª

Boulder, CO (November 29, 2006) - Ann Arbor, MI and Boulder, CO - Sustainable Travel International (STI) and NSF International (NSF) announced today that they have completed a pilot launch for their Sustainable Tourism Eco-certification Program™ (STEP), which is designed for hoteliers, tour operators, attractions and transportation service providers.

The feedback from the pilot launch, which lasted from April 1st through October 31, 2006, was instrumental in fine-tuning STEP and determining the final public launch date for this new program. The educational-based, voluntary certification program is designed to help the travel and tourism industry support environmental conservation and protect cultural heritage for future generations while promoting cross-cultural understanding and economic development.

Earlier this year NSF, an independent certification organization with sixty years of experience in environmental management, announced a partnership with STI to help launch the STEP initiative. The partnership was established to address concerns from tourist destinations and other stakeholders regarding negative environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts, such as pollution, habitat degradation, introduction of invasive species, leakage, loss of cultural heritage, and other cultural issues.

According to Petie Davis, business unit manager for NSF's Environment, Health and Safety Audit Services, "STEP is one of the first comprehensive, non-profit sustainable tourism certification program designed for the global travel and travel industry. The program encompasses environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of the travel and tourism industry as well as the unique environments and cultures where companies operate. NSF recognizes the potential of the program to help tourism-related businesses of all sizes operate sustainably. The educational component of STEP is key. It is designed for newcomers to sustainability, for those wanting to improve their existing approach, and for businesses that have long-standing sustainability programs."

During the pilot launch, travel and tourism businesses throughout North America were invited to participate in the program at no cost. Over a dozen companies applied but only a few were awarded eco-certification status - Grand Teton Lodge Company (a subsidiary of Vail Resorts), Moss Point Oaks Bed and Breakfast (a small B&B in Mississippi), and Northwest Portland International Hostel (Portland, Oregon's most popular hostel). These Eco-certified tourism providers have completed a self-assessment and met a minimum set of core criteria, thereby demonstrating their commitment to sustainable tourism outcomes.

"After developing the STEP program in conjunction with stakeholders from around the world over the course of the last four years and undertaking a pilot test and a pilot launch, we are almost ready to publicly launch the program, which is tentatively scheduled for February 2007," said Brian T. Mullis, co-founder and president of STI. "Our challenge has been to create a user-friendly program that's applicable to tourism businesses of all sizes, limit the barriers to entry while at the same trying to ensure that the program will be financially sustainable, and find a balance between meeting all of the various stakeholders' needs. The goal is to complement and support other credible certification initiatives while offering the program in regions where none exist."

In short, the STEP certification process includes:

1. Preliminary Guidelines: Establishes a baseline level of performance utilizing quantifiable variables, goal setting, employee assignments and training.

2. Self Assessment: Encompasses a set of required standards and related questions with weighted point values designated to determine the extent to which a business meets the principles of sustainable development.

3. On-site Audit: Tourism providers who wish to receive a higher level of eco-certification and have completed steps one and two can schedule an on-site audit. STEP-certified assessors undertake on-site audits to verify applicant's performance and document and compare their findings with the information provided by the applicant in their self-assessment application.

4. Evaluation: A separate, voluntary evaluation committee then reviews the assessor's report and determines whether to eco-certify an applicant and at what level.

5. Eco-certification: Tourism providers who are successful will receive "Professionally Audited" Eco-certified status and a 3-5 star rating, including a STEP "Eco-certified Certificate" and the appropriate logo. Tourism providers who opt to only complete the self-assessment may obtain 1 to 2 stars. Those who are successful will receive a "Self-assessment Completed" Eco-certified status, including a STEP "Eco-certified Certificate" and the appropriate logo.

"Completing the STEP program was an intensive process and very worthwhile for us," said Britta Diettrich, general manager, HI-Portland, Northwest Hostel. "It walked us through the steps necessary to evaluate where we are today and what we should and could be doing in the future. Environmental, socio-cultural, and economic responsibility is important to us and our guests, and STEP is a great tool for us to guarantee our ongoing commitment to sustainability. The STI staff involved were very knowledgeable and helpful."

For more information, visit www.ecocertification.org or contact Brian T. Mullis (800-276-7764 / brianm@sustainabletravel.com) or S. Petie Davis (734-827-6810 / davis@nsf-isr.org).