January/February/March 2016 - Center for Responsible Travel

Center for Responsible Travel
Transforming the Way the World Travels
www.responsibletravel.org
CREST Newsletter: Issue 10, January - March 2016
New Website Launched!
CREST is proud to announce we have a brand new website! Thanks to user experience (UX) specialist
Denise Borges and developer Michael Bray, we were able to put together a fresh, user-friendly site to
better serve our audience. The site structure is based on feedback from a wide range of stakeholders
through focus groups and surveys. Whether you represent a private business, government, NGO,
university, or are part of the traveling public, we hope you find it useful.
CREST Prepares to Release "Caribbean 'Green' Travel"
CREST's newest documentary film, "Caribbean 'Green' Travel: Travel Choices Make a Difference", will be
officially released during the first week of April and will be available for download on CREST's website.
The 45-minute film offers vignettes of socially and environmentally responsible tourism businesses on
four islands: Aruba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Jamaica.
The film has been highly praised by those invited to preview it. "Caribbean 'Green' Travel demystifies
ecotourism, showing that smart, practical business skills are as essential as a keen understanding of how
to protect the local environment, culture, and people. And, surprise, ecotourism is profitable!" writes
Elizabeth Becker, author of OVERBOOKED: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism. She calls the
film "a must-see for anyone in the development world and the tourism industry."
CREST is targeting its distribution of the film to
academics and university tourism programs;
tourism businesses, associations, and organizations;
NGOs; development agencies; the media; and a
select number of film festivals. It will be premiered
at the World Bank in Washington, DC, in late April,
at a sustainable tourism conference at the
University of Havana in mid-May, and at a "Blue
Growth and Investment" conference in Grenada,
also in May. (Photo courtesy of Puntacana Resort &
Club.)
1225 I St., NW ■ Suite 600 ■ Washington, DC 20005 ■ P: 202-347-9203
www.responsibletravel.org ■ staff@responsibletravel.org
The documentary, produced by CREST over the last year, was shot by Jamaican filmmaker Esther
Figueroa and edited and co-produced by Richard Krantz. A DVD version of the 45-minute film, in both
English and Spanish, will be available shortly. View the trailer today!
CREST Project Continues with Indigenous Communities in Chihuahua,
Mexico
In February, CREST and its Mexican partners spent 10 days in Chihuahua, working with local communities
and meeting with tourism businesses and government officials in order to develop indigenous tourism
routes and products. This marks the start of the 2nd year of the CREST project with the communities of
Bacajipare and Huitosachi and our local NGO partner, CONTEC that is being funded by the Christensen
Foundation.
Among their activities, CREST consultants Ximena
Alvis and Mauricio Miramontes (who is Director of
La Mano del Mono, a Chiapas based consulting firm
specializing in indigenous tourism), held a workshop
in the community of Bacajipare to assist community
members in developing a Business Model
Generation for Tourism. Using simple words, clear
examples, head scarfs, and a series of questions,
the CREST team led a discussion about which
activities the community would like to share with
the visitors. Another workshop held in the town of
Creel and attended by 28 hotel owners and tour
operators, was designed to identify which products
and activities would be most attractive for these
businesses to sell to tourists.
The CREST consultants also met with the Secretary of Tourism for Chihuahua state, Ivonne Barriga
Paniagua, and other officials. The Secretary has agreed to support the project with additional funds for
training, constructing interpretive trails, and other aspects to be determined.
CREST Spearheads a GSTC-D Assessment in Sinaloa, Mexico
CREST, together with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and partners in Sinaloa, Mexico, has
conducted a detailed destination-wide assessment of five municipalities in the southern part of the state.
The aim is to determine how well southern Sinaloa is meeting GSTC's criteria for destinations and what
steps it needs to take to adhere to internationally recognized 'best practices' for environmental and social
sustainability. The final report, written by CREST consultant Amos Bien with assistance from Valerie Sera,
a tourism expert in Sinaloa, will be presented in April to CODESIN, the state's business council, and to
Conselva, the leading environmental organization in Sinaloa.
The report rates Sinaloa against a template of indicators in the GSTC Criteria for Destinations (GSTC-D).
These indicators cover four main areas: (1) sustainability management; (2) economic benefits to the host
community; (3) community, visitor, and
cultural well-being; and (4) environmental
protection. The final report must be reviewed
and approved by GSTC Destinations Program
Director Kathleen Pessolano who has been
working as a close adviser to the project.
In February, Amos Bien, Kathleen Pessolano,
and CREST Executive Director Martha Honey
participated in the public launch of the GSTC
assessment. At two forums in Mazatlan,
CREST, GSTC, CODESIN, and Conselva
explained the assessment process to some 40
tourism leaders and about 60 other
stakeholders. Bien and Sera then spent a week
conducting workshops and focus groups in the five municipalities and visiting prime tourism sites. In all,
they met with ~200 government officials, tourism leaders, and academics to collect information
pertaining to GTSC's four key areas. They also collected data on other key issues including safety and
security, education and innovation, marketing and planning, and quality within the tourism sector.
This GSTC-D assessment is part of a multi-year project designed to develop sustainable and competitive
tourism in southern Sinaloa. While GSTC-D is not a certification program, it is widely recognized as a
critical tool for helping destinations to improve their sustainable practices and become more
internationally competitive. The final CREST/GSTC report includes a set of recommendations, including
that Sinaloa create a Destination Management Organization (DMO) to oversee its sustainable tourism
development, adopt one or more internationally recognized certification programs for new tourism
developments, and work to assist the federal government project, known as CIP Playa Espiritu, to meet
international standards for sustainability.
The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics to Launch
The 2016 edition of CREST's popular annual publication, "The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends &
Statistics" will be released in early April. This year's edition includes a new section with 6 new niche
markets -- including the Sharing Economy, Orange Tourism, and Wellness Travel -- that are expanding and
deepening the increasingly robust responsible travel sector. As in previous years, CREST's meta-analysis,
based on recent surveys, data, and studies about responsible travel (and its sister terms), includes
sections on the importance of responsible travel to consumers, businesses, and destinations.
The CREST report has been produced with assistance from a number of leading organizations and
academic institutions involved in responsible travel, including the Global Sustainable Tourism Council,
the World Travel & Tourism Council, Rainforest Alliance, and International Union for Conservation of
Nature. Over the
The new edition will be available for download without cost on CREST's website by April 15.
Save the Date: CREST Charter Club Trip to the Isle of Crete, Greece
6-Day Tour of Crete's Cultural, Culinary, and Natural Wonders, September 19 - 25, 2016
Crete is the birthplace of the first civilization in Europe - The Minoans – as well as the culinary birthplace
of the famously healthy Mediterranean Diet. Crete's Mediterranean location, diverse ecosystems, rugged
mountain terrain, majestic coastal vistas, intriguing geology, biodiversity, cuisine, music, literature and
heroic resistance movements throughout time encompass the distinctive character of the island and its
people. Join resident specialists on an extraordinary
journey exploring Crete's cultural and natural wonders,
with a focus on culinary as well as archeological
experiences.
This extraordinary journey has been organized with Nikki
Rose, Founder and Director of Crete's Culinary
Sanctuaries Network, an award-winning program for best
practices in Responsible Travel. The trip will be open
April 4. Contact CREST for more information or view our
website for registration information next week. (Photo
courtesy of Nikki Rose, Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries.)
CREST Welcomes Two New Honorary Advisory Board Members
CREST is pleased to welcome two new members to our Honorary Adisory Board: Susie Ellis, Chairman and
CEO of the Global Wellness Institute, and Kathy Van Ness, COO and General Manager of Golden Door.
Announcing: CREST Platinum Sponsors
Throughout the years, we have had the pleasure of getting to know travel companies all over the world
doing incredible work in their communities and for the environment. A number of these companies are
also important supporters of the work we do at CREST. Because of their exemplary work and leadership
within the responsible tourism industry, past support of CREST, and formal commitment to support
CREST into the future, Micato Safaris, Island Outpost, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, and Soneva Resorts,
Residences & Spas have been selected to become members of the elite CREST Platinum Sponsors
category. If you are interested in having your company considered as a Platinum Sponsor, please contact
us.
Photo courtesy of Soneva Resorts,
Residences & Spas, copyright Herbert Ypma
Photo courtesy of Island Outpost
Photo courtesy of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
Platinum Sponsor Highlight: Micato Safaris
In order to help spread the admirable philosophies of these companies as best-practices through the
industry, we will highlight one Platinum Sponsor in each CREST newsletter. This month, we've
interviewed Micato Safaris about their philanthropic model; Micato has operated as a luxury safari
company in Southern and Eastern Africa since 1966.
CREST: Why did Micato Safaris first become involved in philanthropy in Africa?
MS: Twenty-five years ago, Micato employee Lorna Macleod was approached by a small boy in a Nairobi
parking lot. He was going from person to person with a note from his headmaster stating that he needed
to raise 600 shillings—about $15—to buy a uniform before being allowed in school. Macleod read the
note and handed the boy the entire 600 shillings. Overwhelmed, he gazed at the bundle of banknotes. He
whispered a tearful "God Bless You" before dashing away.
Macleod was moved by this experience. She realized that we're connected to both the wealthiest people
in the world (our travelers) and the poorest people in Africa. Micato-AmericaShare was created to be the
bridge between them, and Macleod has been Micato-AmericaShare's driving force ever since. (Photo
courtesy of Micato Safaris.)
CREST: Micato is known for active positive engagement
within the communities you are a part. How has this
symbiotic
relationship
benefitted
both
local
communities, visitors, and Micato as a business?
MS: Our philosophy is to ensure that we expose travelers
to a broad spectrum of Africa – tribal cultures, politics,
social trends, urbanization, gender issues, et cetera – and
not just wildlife. It is our hope that our travelers leave
with a deep understanding and appreciation for Africa.
Over the last 25-years Micato-AmericaShare has educated thousands of children as part of its core
mission. Further, Micato employs only locally born and raised nationals in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa
and India – all of whom are active in our community work. This engagement with communities and
travelers clearly makes Micato a better company – and one which resonates with our staff, communities,
travelers and travel industry partners.
CREST: Education of travelers is an important
component of Micato's "Sustainability Ethos."
How do you educate travelers, and why is this
important?
MS: Our guests know that just by virtue of booking
their safari with us, they're enabling a child to go
to school through the Micato One for One
Commitment. That is the beginning of the
conversation about Africa and how we will expose
them to it. Because our trips are all escorted,
travelers benefit from daily briefings on a wide
variety of topics including the work of MicatoAmericaShare. (Photo courtesy of Micato Safaris.)
CREST: Micato has been the recipient of a great amount of awards within the travel industry, including
an unprecedented nine-time "#1 World's Best Safari Outfitter" from Travel+Leisure, earning a spot in
the Travel+Leisure Hall of Fame, and five-time winner of the Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Award
(three for education, two for "doing it all"). Why do you believe Micato has been so successful, and
what does this recognition mean to Micato as an organization?
MS: Travel+Leisure noted that "the Pintos treat their guests like well-loved, out-of-town relatives." For
over 50 years, Micato has delighted its travelers by making them part of our extended family and
meaningfully involving them in the activities of Micato-AmericaShare.
Sharing Expertise | Providing Leadership
CREST Joins Bodhi Surf Adivsory Board
CREST program associate Samantha Hogenson has been invited to serve on the Advisory Board of Bodhi
Surf School, a change-making surf and yoga camp located on Costa Rica's South Pacific Coast. The "surf"
board of advisors will consist of 8-9 people of diverse backgrounds, both from the USA and Costa Rica.
Surf schools have the opportunity to connect people with the ocean, educate them about its importance,
and empower them to change their daily actions for a more sustainable future. We are highly honored to
be a part of this board and Samantha looks forward to working with the Bodhi Surf team during the 20162018 term.
About Bodhi Surf and the "My Ocean Guardian" Program
Since their inception in 2010, Bodhi Surf School has made pro-environmental awareness and
action a top priority, weaving a conservation mentality into their everyday operations and
business model. They call this corporate environmental and social responsibility their "Ocean
Guardian Journey". A large component of the "Ocean Guardian Journey" is to integrate
environmental education into the vacation experience with their guests, and to share this model
with their fellow tourism businesses (competitors included) and other organizations. Bodhi Surf
started its "Ocean Guardian Pledge" in 2011 as a voluntary contract for guests to sign and
commit to reducing their impact on the earth and the ocean. Then, in 2013, Bodhi Surf held its
first annual Ocean Guardian Contest. Applicants shared their best actions and ideas for
environmental conservation – and the grand prize winner won a 7-day surf and yoga vacation.
As for Bodhi Surf School, they continue
to take actions with the motto of
"leading by example" aka "awaken your
inner surfer". The latest embodiment of
this mission is to reduce their plastic
footprint, and they have teamed up with
Life Without Plastic, Geoporter, and
local businesses to do so. They are
taking a plastic audit of the entire
property with the aim of gradually
shifting over to use of quality, plasticfree alternative products.
CREST Spring Interns & Volunteers
This semester, CREST is happy to be hosting two stellar interns – Angela Borrero and Emily Simmons.
Angela Borrero was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and has lived in
Massachusetts since she was eight years old. She graduates in May 2016
and will receive a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice and international
studies from Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. Though new to
the study of tourism, learning about various global issues opened her
eyes to the domino effect of damage produced by income inequality, a
lack of education, shortages of clean water, and environmental
degradation, among other things, caused by large-scale industrialization
and other factors (including unsustainably planned and managed
tourism). A lover of travel, Angela is interested in tourism policy that
prioritizes the protection of the environment and growth and care of
local communities.
Emily Simmons is a recent graduate of the University of
Maryland, College Park, where she received a Bachelor's
degree in anthropology. She first became interested in
sustainable tourism during a study abroad program in
Costa Rica called Surfing and Sustainability; it covered an
array of topics from the effects of rapid coastal
development, the problems recreational coastal tourism
can create, environmental concerns of tourism, and so
on. This trip taught Emily about responsible tourism and
the importance of protecting our environment. She
wishes to further her education about ecotourism and
spread the word to others about responsible tourism.
In addition to our two interns, we have one wonderful volunteer who is choosing to spend part of her
free time working with us – Gabriela Aguerrevere.
Gaby was born and raised in Caracas,
Venezuela, where she completed her
bachelor's degree in Social Communications
and her Master in Corporate Social
Responsibility. Although she has always
enjoyed traveling, it was not until she started
working with a Venezuelan NGO called Eposak
when she discovered her passion for
sustainable tourism. She also worked for ZOI
Venezuela, an online platform that promotes
high quality tourism in her country. Both
professional experiences motivated her to
better know her homeland and her culture,
leading her to visit the mountains, the beaches, the savannahs, and the jungles that make Venezuela such
a unique place. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration at George Washington
University, with a concentration in Sustainable Tourism.
Summer Internship Opening
Interested in joining the CREST team? We are looking for a Summer 2016 Research & Program Intern!
This position is based in Washington, DC, and is a great opportunity for someone looking to expand their
knowledge of responsible and sustainable travel in hospitality, events, and/or destination management.
Applications are due by Monday, April 11. View the internship description and contact Samantha
Hogenson for more information.
CREST Valentine's Day & Spring Eco-Auctions
CREST had two online travel auctions to kick of 2016, via Charitybuzz, featuring generous donations from
leading tourism businesses with a social and environmental conscience. These auctions are critical to
support CREST's various programs and operations as a non-profit. Thank you to our donors, which
included:
Amerian Portal del Iguazú, Bodhi Surf School, Cape Codder Resort & Spa, Casa del Mar, Ecoventura, El
Ganzo, ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours, Genesis Eco Retreat, Golden Door, Green Roof Inn, Hacienda
Chichen, Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, Hillsdale House Inn, Hillsnek Safari Camp, Hog Hollow
Country Lodge, Hotel Antumalal, Hotel Maya Luna, Island Outpost, Isle of Reefs Tours, Laguna Lodge,
Macaw Lodge, Meadowood Napa Valley, Micato Safaris, Mukul Beach, Golf, & Spa, New Hermopolis,
Ocean Explorations, The Pavilions Himalayas, Refúgio Ecológico Caiman, Reserva do Ibitipoca, Rios
Tropicales, Royal Mansour, ShoreWay Acres Inn, Soneva, Tao Philippines, Tierra Hotels, UXUA, and The
Westin Georgetown.
CREST's next eco-auction will take place in June 2016. If you represent a responsible hotel or tour
operator, let us know if you'd like to be involved!
We've Moved!
Due to extensive renovations in our old building, the CREST offices can now be found at 1225 Eye St. NW,
Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. This is just a block and a half from our past location, still near to the
Metro Center and McPherson Square Metro stops in downtown Washington. We look forward to
welcoming you to our new space. Want to talk about how we can help you with your responsible travel
project or plan? Set up a meeting today!
CREST in the News

March 22, 2016: This Cuban Eco-Tour Features Surf and Turf: This Cuba Journal article looks at
the itinerary of CREST's Charter Club trip to Cuba, focusing on the fascinating country's
extraordinary marine, cultural, and natural tourism offerings.

March 21, 2016: Interview with Martha Honey, Center for Responsible Travel (CREST):
Sustainability Leaders describes Martha Honey's journey and dedication in researching,
promoting, and expanding the concept of sustainable and responsible tourism around the world.

March 1, 2016: CREST: Center for Responsible Travel: SEVENSEAS, a project of The Ocean
Foundation, features CREST's work in marine and coastal tourism in the March edition of their
popular online magazine (pages 102 - 105).

Over the past three months, the findings and recommendations of "The Case for Responsible
Travel: Trends and Statistics 2015" publication have been mentioned in a number of blogs and
news articles, including: "Annual tourism report reveals growing interest in responsible tourism",
by Michigan State University Extension; "Estudio de mercado revela una creciente demanda en
turismo responsable", in Soy Ecoturista (Spain); and "Estudio revela la suba en la demanda del
turismo responsable", in Pulso Turistico (Argentina).
Upcoming Events


April 6: George Washington University. Samantha Hogenson speaks to Master of Tourism
Administration students about career development in responsible travel.
April 27: World Bank, Washington, DC. Lunch time premier showing of CREST's "Caribbean
'Green' Travel: Your Choices make a Difference," with panel discussion. Open to the public;
registration required. For details contact CREST.

May 1-8: CREST's Charter Club Trip to Cuba. Martha Honey takes a group of 16 to Pinar del Rio
province and Havana.

May 11-12: University of Havana, Cuba. Screening Spanish version of "Caribbean 'Green' Travel"
at a conference on sustainable tourism.

May 13: United Nations, New York: Martha Honey participates Travel+SocialGood's Global
Summit for 150 invited leaders in travel, tech, and social media.

May 14-22: Blue Week, Grenada: Martha Honey is invited to participate, as a speaker at this
investment forum and to show "Caribbean 'Green' Travel."

June 3: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: Martha Honey participates in the Global Wellness
Institute's roundtable discussion, "Building a Well World: A Prototype for Sustainable Wellness in
san Miguel de Allende."