In a bid to promote sustainable tourism in India, all stakeholders in the Indian tourism sector have decided to adopt ‘Sustainable Tourism Criteria’. The new initiative was evolved at a recently held workshop on Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India in New Delhi by Ministry of Tourism (MoT) on the behest of Kumari Selja, Union Minister of Tourism.
The criteria were developed on the basis of existing ‘Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria’ (GSTC). Since the GSTC had codes only for hotel and tour operator sectors, the stakeholders at the conference have decided to develop a similar code for themselves for which a steering committee has been constituted.
Selja said, “Environmental integrity, social justice and economic development are the three pillars of sustainable development. India has invented thousands of years of culture and heritage, which we all need to consciously strive to preserve and cherish. This workshop organized by MoT is the first such step in the right direction.”
Once adopted, the sustainable tourism criteria will aid the Tourism Ministry in formulating policies that will encourage sustainable tourism while underlining creation of environmental, social, economic and climate responsiveness.
