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Green Travel Market Launched - Tour Operators Green their Supply Chains

By Brian Mullis, Sustainable Travel International

Sustainable Travel International has officially launched the Green Travel Market (GTM) in North America. GTM is a business-to-business service designed to help tour operators and other tourism suppliers become more aware of sustainable products, integrate them into the packages and services they offer, and reach relevant markets.

GTM offers a range of services, including: a network of over 500 tour operators that aim to promote sustainability amongst their suppliers and 1000 European accommodation providers certified by one of the eco-labels under the VISIT initiative; a matchmaking service to support new product development for tour operators and to support tourism destination firms that seek new markets; promotion at key European and North American conferences and travel events such as the ITB, Reisepavillon and the Adventure Travel World Summit; consumer marketing; and educational training.

Central to GTM is a database of tourism suppliers with credentials for being sustainable. The list of products ranges from accommodations such as organic farms, independent accommodations, car-free resorts, community-based tourism projects, incoming tour operators, sustainable destinations, and protected areas. GTM also cooperates with different non-governmental organizations to promote sustainable products world-wide such as Sustainable Travel International, the German Development Organization, and the European network for Sustainable Transport to name a few.

Joining the GTM is free to tour operators and other tourism suppliers. However, interested parties must comply with one or more of the following criteria:

• They must offer certified sustainable tourism products;
• They must be recommended by a national or internationally known environmental protection or conservation agency such as Sustainable Travel International;
• They must have received sustainable or environmental awards;
• They must be members of key industry associations with sustainability codes of conduct and have a solid track record of implementation.

For more information on GTM, visit Sustainable Travel International's website, email or call 720-273-2975.