The Union Minister for Tourism Shri Shripad Naik launched the Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) for Accommodation, Tour Operators and Beaches, Backwaters, Lakes & Rivers Sectors and the Inaugurated the Sensitization Workshop for the stakeholders on Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India on 26th August 2014 at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi.
The launch of the Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) and Indicators for the Accommodation, Tour Operators and Beaches, Backwater, Lakes & Rivers and the Sensitization workshop are part of activities / programmes that have been taken up by the Ministry of Tourism for completion within the 100 days of the incumbent Government. Ms. Sofia Gutierrez, Deputy Director for Sustainable Development of Tourism, United Nations World Tourism Organization( UNWTO), Mr. George C. Varughese the President of the Development Alternative, the leaders of Tourism Industry, experts etc. participated in this event. The launch was followed by a sensitization workshop for the stakeholders on Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
Speaking at the occasion, the Union Tourism Minister Shripad Naik said “My Ministry is committed to develop tourism in India based on the principles of sustainability, minimizing the carbon footprints. We ensure our strategies for development of tourism are not in conflict with the environment and have minimal negative effect.”
Ms. Sofia Gutierrez, Deputy Director for Sustainable Development of Tourism, United Nations World Tourism Organization( UNWTO) in her keynote address said…
Mr. George C Varughese, President Development Alternatives spoke about the Importance of Sustainability in Indian Tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India constituted a Steering Committee with representatives from all the 14 sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry of India to formulate the Sustainable Tourism Criteria. The Committee has since finalized the Comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) and Indicators for the Accommodation, Tour Operators and Beaches, Backwater, Lakes & Rivers.