Networks for SMEs, best practices for sustainable tourism, and market-access strategies Joining forces to further sustainable tourism in Latin America Ronald Sanabria P. Vice president Sustainable Tourism
photo E. Ericksen 7.6% $1 86% Untreated waste waters 20.5% $2 51 In rural areas Millions with no potable water 26In urban areas Source: Foro Mundial del Agua 2006 World Bank FAO 77 Millions of hectares deforested between 2000-2020
Source: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
nature culture heritage
From Mexico to Patagonia: Promoting nature and culture Guatemala: The Heart of the Mayan World Costa Rica: No Artificial Ingredients Ecuador: Loves Life Chile: Nature that moves you Panama: The Path Less Traveled Belize: Mother Nature s Best Kept Secret Uruguay: A natural country
Rainforest Alliance We work to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming Business practices Land use practices Consumer behavior
Sustainable Tourism at the Rainforest Alliance Goals Improve sustainability of tourism operations Build business and consumer demand for sustainable tourism Help create globally accepted standards for sustainable tourism photo E. Ericksen
Where we work? Mexico Guatemala Nicaragua Costa Rica Ecuador Peru Belize Honduras Panama El Salvador Brazil Argentina Colombia Chile
Recommendations Formulate and implement national and local policy, planning guidelines and evaluation frameworks for sustainable tourism development. Help governments, NGOs and the private sector develop shared sustainability standards. Improve infrastructure and public services. Ensure that investments in the tourism sector contribute to biodiversity conservation and community development.
Recommendations Help businesses implement sustainable practices. Make technical and financial assistance accessible to businesses of all sizes. Support sustainable tourism public-private partnerships. Support voluntary, accountability mechanisms such as third-party, independent certification that include biodiversity protection criteria. Increase consumers access to information to help them make responsible decisions. Good marketing!
Shared sustainability standards Baseline criteria of the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. Central American Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
Tikal and Cuyabeno Tourism investments contributing to conservation and development
Bridging the gap between theory and practice: assisting SMEs MINTUR + Rainforest Alliance 182 businesses trained 75 technical assistance 245 people trained 30 MINTUR representatives
Bridging the gap between theory and practice: assisting governmental agencies INTUR + Rainforest Alliance 108 INTUR representatives
Supporting voluntary, accountability mechanisms. 3 rd Party Certification Accreditation and market access Technical Assistance Verification Training
Preparing companies to apply for a third-party certification committed to GSTC Accreditation Costa Rica: 23% of the hotels and 38% of the tour operators certified by the Certification for Sustainable Tourism have received technical assistance from Rainforest Alliance. Ecuador: 67% of the companies certified by Smart Voyager. Guatemala: 100% of companies certified or in process of getting certified by Great Green Deal.
Marketing sustainability B2B 18 FAM Trips Road Shows 40 Trade Shows (WTM, ITB, ATE, ExpoTur, TMLA)
(Green corners)
Greening the supply chain. Outbound. Inbound. Suppliers +170 operators - 2 million travelers
rketing sustainability B2C
Partnering to market sustainability efforts CATA Promoting Central American sustainable tourism options in Europe. Travelocity Promoting Latin American sustainable travel options in Travel for Good
Joining forces to further sustainability in Latin America 40 trade shows 7000 trained 12 press trips 530 verified 18 FAM trips 480 articles photo E. Ericksen 115commercialization chains
1.130.000 hectares 15,000 families
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