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NEWS AND FEATURES
1. Sustainable Tourism Certification Network Launches
2. Eco-Labels Help Consumers to Identify Sustainable Tourism

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Boulder, Colorado - U.S.-based Sustainable Travel International (STI) participated in the launching of the first Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas in Bahia, Brazil from September 26-September 30. The Conference of the Americas on Sustainability Certification of Tourism Activities was organized by the World Tourism Organization, the Brazilian Hospitality Institute, The International Ecotourism Society, and the Rainforest Alliance to bring together the many organizations involved in promoting sustainable tourism certification.

Currently, the travel and tourism industry - the fastest growing industry in the world - is negatively affecting local cultures, environments and economies at an accelerated rate. As such, representatives from leading certification programs throughout the Americas met at the conference to define common objectives and form a network of initiatives focused on mitigating the tourism industry's negative impacts and enhancing its positive impacts through sustainable tourism certification.

"The conference brought together representatives from the private and public sector to address challenges we all face in creating a more sustainable future. Our overarching goal", states STI President Brian T. Mullis, a participant in The Network of the Americas, "is to support the travel industry in affecting a positive impact on the earth's resources and cultures." To achieve this goal, participants in The Network of the Americas defined their mission as follows: "To promote sustainable tourism in the Americas through the strengthening of tourism initiatives based on mutual respect and recognition, joint efforts, harmonization of systems and the sharing of information and experience."

Network participants also defined their objectives which include generating environmental, socio-cultural and economic standards for sustainable tourism that are based on emerging regional and international efforts, establishing common frameworks and tools for certification, pursuing a joint marketing strategy, and defining strategies to help small, indigenous and local groups develop self-supporting eco-tourism projects and conservation initiatives.

The Network of the Americas is one of the components of an ongoing initiative, spearheaded by a joint partnership between Rainforest Alliance, the World Tourism Organization, The International Ecotourism Society and the United Nations Environment Program. Hosted by the Instituto de Hospitalidade and the Brazilian Government, this conference was a first in integrating regional efforts from organizations that are working toward best practices standards for Sustainable Travel and Tourism throughout the Americas.

For more information, visit Sustainable Travel International's on-line PR Kit, call 800-276-7764 or e-mail the organization. Charitable contributions are welcome.

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Boulder, Colorado - In an era of information overload, consumers are often wrought with the problem of too many choices. Which products are safe for their children? What companies are involved in sweatshop manufacturing? The almost overwhelming number of choices and decisions to be made also apply to making travel plans. Though most everybody travels, historically there have been few ways that consumers could make informed and responsible choices that are healthy for themselves and for the planet - until now.

As with other industries, a new form of brand recognition is emerging in the travel and tourism industry in the form of eco-labels and certification. Sustainable tourism certification provides consumers, resource managers and local communities with an assurance that a company's operations are backed by a commitment to the standards and best management practices of sustainable tourism. In doing so, certified organizations address the triple bottom line of economic, environmental and socio-cultural performance in their operations.

"In the food industry we use the 'certified organic' eco-label to delineate a set of standards for food products that are healthy for ourselves, our children, and the planet" explains Peter D. Krahenbuhl, Vice President of Sustainable Travel International (STI). "In the travel industry, Sustainable Travel International is promoting credible sustainable tourism standards and associated eco-labels, so consumers can more easily recognize tourism suppliers that are operating responsibly."

There is, however, a difference, between organic food labeling and sustainable tourism certification. For example, rather than a pass/fail system, STI is creating an eco-label that is based on a rating system that measures the extent to which tourism suppliers mitigate their negative economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts and enhance their positive impacts.

This, in turn, will assist consumers in making informed decisions, helping them to discern between companies who market themselves as eco-friendly and companies who actually engage in sustainable business practices.

For more information about Eco-Labels in the Travel and Tourism industry, click here. For general information, visit Sustainable Travel International's on-line PR Kit, call 800-276-7764 or e-mail the organization. Charitable contributions are welcome.

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To contact STI, call 800-276-7764, e-mail, or visit their on-line press kit.

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