28 Feb CTC Signs MoU with Global Sustainable Tourism Council

CTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to promote sustainable tourism in Indonesia and the Coral Triangle. The MOU signing was held between CTC Executive Director Rili Djohani and GSTC Chief Operating Officer Randy Durban at the the 29th GSTC Asia Pacific Sustainable Tourism Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand on February 28, 2019.

GSTC is a global organization that represents a diverse membership, including UN agencies, NGOs, national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.  GSTC establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria.

Themes of the conference included: Smart Destination Management, Quality Tourism and Tourism Protecting Wildlife. Rili Djohani presented at both the sessions on smart destinations and Tourism Protecting Wildlife emphasizing the role of marine protected areas and the engagement of all stakeholders. In particular, the dive operators play a pivotal role in promoting code of conducts with tourists to enjoy the coral reefs and iconic species such as the mola and the manta rays in a responsible way. Emergency Response and Safety as well as Tourism for All and Tourism for Good were also among the topics discussed. More than 300 participants attended the conference from government agencies, travel agents, hospitality industry, media, NGOs and citizens from the Asia-Pacific region.

CTC has also worked with GSTC Board Chairman Luigi Cabrini during the 4th CTI-CFF Regional Business Forum on Sustainable Tourism and in the annual Blue Green 360 Awards for marine tourism operators at the Asia Dive Expo.