SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DESTINATION CERTIFICATION
Sustainable Tourism > Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification
Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) has signed the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge, to demonstrate our commitment to improving the sustainability performance of our destination between now and 2030. The UN World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”
 
At RTO7, we commit to measuring and improving the region's sustainability performance in the following ways:
 
  • Pursuing destination certification with Canadian-based provider GreenStep Sustainable Tourism, who have verified the current sustainability performance of the region against globally recognized standards. As we continue this process, we will be consulting with the stakeholders of the region to gather information and clarification on your sustainability initiatives.
  • Creating a Destination Sustainability Stakeholder Committee, to foster collaboration and advance the destination’s sustainability initiative.
  • By recognizing that sustainability is a journey the region began many years ago and one that will continue for years to come. By taking stock of, and celebrating, our collective successes to date, we will aim to identify and improve the region’s sustainable practices in the future.
 
 
Thanks to TIAO for supporting our pursuit of the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism destination certification. We have set out on this path based on recent stakeholder survey results, Board of Directors input and the commitment of our staff.

RTO7 Achieves GreenStep Destination Certification

  • Region 7 (BruceGreySimcoe) has achieved GreenStep’s Silver Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification
  • RTO7 has participated in a rigorous assessment, review, and verification process of their sustainability performance across four categories: environmental, socio-economic, natural and cultural, and management.
  • Using GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Destination Standard which includes 117 questions, created in alignment with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and has been globally recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
  • As part of the process, RTO7 now  has a Sustainable Tourism Action Plan which, along with guidance from a Sustainable Tourism Working Group, will help  to  inform our  direction and improvement of the region’s sustainability over the coming years.
  • For more information:


Want to Pursue a Business Sustainability Certification?

Those tourism businesses interested in undertaking  business  sustainability  certification through a Global Sustainable Tourism  Council (GSTC) recognized organization like GreenStep (through RTO7’s Partnership Program)  should reach out to Alex.