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Once Again, GSTC Member Wins WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Stewardship Award 2019: St. Kitts’ Sustainable Destination Council (SDC)

WTTC has announced the 2019 leaders in sustainable tourism at the 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards ceremony. The Awards, which were presented at a special ceremony during the 19th WTTC Global Summit in Seville, Spain, celebrate inspirational, world-changing tourism initiatives from all over the globe.

GSTC Destination Member St. Kitts’ Sustainable Destination Council (SDC) has been declared as the 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards winner in the Destination Stewardship category.

The 2019 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Award Winners are highly commended and recognised for business practices of the highest standards that balance the needs of ‘people, planet, and profits’ within the Travel & Tourism sector. The 2019 Winners promote inclusive growth and illustrate a strong commitment to supporting change and transformation in business practices and consumer behaviour towards a more environmentally conscious sector.

The Sustainable Destination Council (SDC) serves as an advisory council for the Ministry of Tourism, with the aim to increase opportunities for locals and tourists to act as destination stewards, and has the influence over the island of St. Kitts including rural areas, the popular tourist area of the Southern Peninsula and the highly populated capital city of Basseterre.

“The St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council was founded based on the principles of the GSTC Criteria for Destinations following St. Kitts and Nevis’s GSTC destination sustainability assessment, so we are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with GSTC for ongoing destination stewardship,” said Diannille Taylor‑Williams, St. Kitts Ministry of Tourism.

“Being a GSTC member involves taking a pledge to adhere to the GSTC Criteria — which is not a form of certification, but an entry point to follow universal sustainability principles in the management and development of their tourism. We are glad that St Kitts and Nevis, the only Caribbean country to be a pioneering early adopter of the GSTC Destination Criteria, continues to apply the GSTC Criteria and engage with GSTC,” said Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.

GSTC encourages destinations pursuing sustainability practices in development and management of tourism, to join as GSTC members and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria, which eventually can lead to being certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, commented: “The finalists in this year’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards showcase the many ways in which our industry is dedicated to sustainable growth. In 2018, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed 10.4% of global GDP and supported 319 million jobs across the world. It is therefore essential that we continue to grow in the most sustainable and responsible way possible. The new award categories for this year are aligned with WTTC strategic priorities and illustrate that all members of this industry play a key role in driving the sector forward to a more responsible future. I congratulate them all on their fantastic accomplishments and leadership.”

Fiona Jeffery, OBE, Chair, WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, said “The aim of the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards is to showcase some of the most exceptional examples of sustainable tourism practices in the world, and inspire and encourage our industry to make a positive impact for both current and future generations. Over 15 years, we have seen the industry make great strides towards achieving these goals and we can see positive change happening. Our recent survey results show that 67% of travellers would consider a travel compan’s sustainability agenda when booking a trip, whilst 48% of travellers would now pay more money to travel sustainably. Whilst there is still more to be done, we must harness the momentum for change to protect the product that sustains our very own industry.”

For more information: Tourism for Tomorrow Awards winners and finalists.