Seychelles Ministry of Tourism has joined as a Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
Seychelles is an archipelago nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar and about 1,600 km east of Kenya, renowned for its vibrant marine life. Seychelles comprises 115 islands, the majority of which are uninhabited. One third of their ocean is a marine protected area.
Seychelles’ largest island, Mahé, which capital city is Victoria, is home to approximately 86% of the nation’s entire population. Well-known for its warm hospitality and vibrant culture, visitors to Seychelles can enjoy its beautiful beaches and explore its diverse environments, from jungles to vibrant coral reefs.
Sustainability in Seychelles
Sustainable Seychelles, an initiative founded under the Tourism Department of Seychelles, aims to not only change the way tourists experience the archipelago but also lead the charge in conserving its natural wonders for generations to come.
Preserving the islands requires visionary and sustainable strategies. The program places sustainability at the forefront of its mission: to ensure that Seychelles continues to stand out as a destination.
The vision of Sustainable Seychelles is to use tourism as a powerful tool for positive change. Through the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL), which achieved GSTC-Recognized Status in 2017 the program aims to facilitate and celebrate positive impacts, both locally and globally. By encouraging hotels and accommodations to adopt sustainable practices. It also seeks to create transformative experiences for visitors. It believes that travelers should leave Seychelles not only with beautiful memories but also with a profound understanding of sustainability and a commitment to making a global impact.
Through education and training, Sustainable Seychelles aims to instill a deep understanding of the importance and benefits of responsible tourism practices.
Speaking about GSTC membership, Mrs Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary for Tourism, stated that it is not simply a membership for Seychelles, but rather a declaration of our destination’s continued commitment to sustainable tourism, as Seychelles advances its sustainability efforts with the recent introduction of the Sustainable Seychelles brand.
“We are pleased to have a global network of like-minded people that are committed to the same ideals and the development of a more moral and ethical tourism sector. We also aim to learn more about what other nations are doing and inspire and educate people on how to make good changes in their communities and contribute to a more sustainable future via sharing our sustainable experiences.
The Seychelles Sustainable tourist Label (SSTL), which has been in operation for ten years and is a sustainable tourism management and certification initiative meant to encourage more efficient and sustainable business practices, forms the basis of our new local brand, the Sustainable Seychelles brand.
Propelling sustainability in the Seychelles to unprecedented heights, the Sustainable Seychelles brand’s shared goal is preserving Seychelles for next generations. With a focus on harmony and shared responsibility, the brand hopes to offer a thorough road map for implementing and advancing sustainable practices throughout the travel and tourist sector and adjacent industries. Through encouraging collaboration and active participation, the brand hopes to ensure that the Seychelles is consistently a clean and environmentally conscientious travel destination.”
GSTC Welcomes Seychelles Ministry of Tourism
“We are delighted to have the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism join as a member of GSTC. Tourism, when approached with a vision of sustainability, has the potential to be a beacon of positive transformation, igniting local economic progress, and bridging global communities with understanding. We wish Seychelles the best of success in its journey towards sustainable tourism,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
GSTC encourages destinations pursuing sustainability practices in tourism development and management to join as GSTC members and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria, which eventually can help achieve certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
About Seychelles Ministry of Tourism
Seychelles Ministry of Tourism plays a pivotal role as a catalyst for fostering continuous growth and development in the country’s tourism sector. Their mission revolves around implementing a strategic approach, dedicated to cultivating a conducive environment for the development and maintenance of an authentic, dynamic and sustainable tourism industry. That reflects the importance of tourism to the Seychelles economy and the social well-being of its population and delivers a value-for-money and unique visitor experience, through innovation, strategic partnerships and coordination.
More information here: https://tourism.gov.sc/
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
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Statements expressed in this announcement are presented for informational purposes only and should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by GSTC, unless clearly stated.
