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Green Tourism Canada is beginning to deliver assessments in June. Sign up by June 1st and you will receive a 10% discount on your membership fee! |
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Based on the world leading certification program, Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) which has certified over 2400 businesses in the UK and Ireland, Green Tourism Canada (GTC) is now set to become the only third party verified sustainability certification tool for tourism businesses across Canada. Unique in its approach, GTC conducts on-site assessments for operators, using qualified and skilled sustainability experts who provide personalized advice and guidance on improving their triple bottom line. Unlike other programs, operators do not score and rate themselves, lending more credibility to the label for the green-conscious customer looking to avoid green washing. In addition to the verification, GTC also provides practical tools for businesses to deliver meaningful environmental and social benefits that can be promoted locally and internationally. Originally piloted in British Columbia in 2010, there are 26 certified tourism operators across the province who have benefitted from the program. Funded initially by industry and government, the program and pilot was developed by the BC Partnership for Sustainable Tourism (BCPST operating as ETHOS) – now defunct. Having been initially funded by the Province and various industry stakeholders in 2009, we are very excited to see the efforts of those involved, especially the previous program director Charlie James, become a reality in terms of creating an objective third-party certification program that elevates the standards of sustainable tourism in Canada. Announced at the Thompson Okanagan’s Tourism Association Conference a few weeks ago, GreenStep Solutions is the new face of the Green Tourism Canada Program – a branch of the world’s leading sustainable tourism certification program. Headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, with an office in Vancouver, GreenStep has significant experience working with organizations throughout the province developing sustainability strategies that work for them. GreenStep has worked with nearly one thousand businesses to identify cost savings and marketing opportunities by helping to reduce their environmental footprint. “There is tremendous opportunity for tourism operators in Canada to save money and attract customers while going green and we are ecstatic to be delivering this program nationally,” says Angela Nagy, CEO of GreenStep. Tourism businesses in the Kootenay Rockies region interested in learning more about the certification, please contact Green Tourism Canada at the contact info below. Kate Shaw, Project Manager |
