DESTINATION SHERBROOKE COMMITS TO SUSTAINABILITY WITH PURSUIT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CERTIFICATION
Becomes First destination in Québec to pursue Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification
SHERBROOKE, QC, CANADA – Today, Destination Sherbrooke announced its formal commitment to helping make tourism more sustainable, by pursuing certification to the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Destination standard. This process will assess the destination’s environmental, socio-economic, natural, cultural, and management performance, through a comprehensive and rigorous assessment process that includes 117 questions, hundreds of indicators, and an audit of evidence provided for each. If the minimum required score is achieved, Destination Sherbrooke will become the first destination in Quebec to achieve this certification.
“We are excited to be working in Quebec and applaud Destination Sherbrooke for their leadership role and deep commitment to improving the sustainability performance of their destination, and the tourism industry,” says Angela Nagy, President and CEO of GreenStep Solutions, the owner of the standard.
Destination Sherbrooke’s General Manager, Denis Bernier, says “I feel that DMOs and PMOs need to take on a clear leadership role in the sustainable tourism process. Adopting policies, action plans, and certification is the best way to communicate with local, regional, and provincial partners. While sustainable tourism may seem a complicated process, it can be simplified, and that is what we’ll be doing locally. Because it’s essential for the development of a tourism industry that builds back better in collaboration with and for the benefit of partners, residents, and visitors.”
GreenStep is the only Canadian-based provider of sustainability certifications for both tourism businesses and destinations. The standard has received formal recognition from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), following an 18-month review process. In addition, the criteria aligns with the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Indicators of Sustainable Development for Tourism Destinations, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and global best practices for sustainable destination stewardship. The business assessment criteria is now available in both French and English.
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About GreenStep:
GreenStep was founded in 2008 to help small to medium-sized enterprises measure and improve their sustainability performance. To date, the organization has worked with more than 3000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, in a variety of industries such as tourism and hospitality, retail, professional services, and manufacturing. For more information, visit www.greenstep.ca. Through the Sustainable Tourism Division, GreenStep provides assessments, training, strategy, and certifications to tourism businesses and destinations.
About Destination Sherbrooke:
Destination Sherbrooke’s mission is to contribute to Sherbrooke’s economic and social growth by developing and promoting the tourism industry based on sustainable tourism principles. Its mandate is to serve the tourism industry as the para-municipal economic development organization mandated by the City of Sherbrooke to ensure tourism offers development; destination promotion; coordination of welcome services; and support initiatives from the industry and partner tourism entrepreneurs.
Contact:
Angela Nagy
GreenStep Solutions Inc.
250-215-7714
angela@greenstep.ca
William Hogg
Destination Sherbrooke
819-578-0400
william.hogg@destinationsherbrooke.com