TOFTigers, India’s responsible tourism champion, has launched a new online resource demonstrating that good business can go hand in hand with care for nature and local communities in a push for sustainable tourism once Covid-19 eases. The resource aims to spread good practice amongst the accommodation sector in nature and rural destinations and show travel companies and travellers what good looks like.
Inspiring case studies and tips for good practice are presented in nine overlapping themes spanning local employment and enterprise, community support, water, energy, waste, sustainable building, cultural heritage and nature education and conservation. Health and safety are also included with links to guidelines on Covid-19 developed by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India in partnership with TOFTigers.
The examples draw on TOFTigers’ PUG certification, Asia’s highest standard for accommodation providers in nature destinations recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. More than 250 properties have been PUG eco-rated with a complementary Footprint certification programme also available for properties in rural and urban areas.
“India is ranked 14th in natural heritage but is only 128th out of 140 countries in environmental sustainability. This resource showcases that India can be outstanding in both. With world leaders meeting this autumn for COP26 to address the climate crisis and the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals looming, I’m hoping this new resource will be used by the government and the travel industry to harness tourism as a force for good in the economic recovery we are all hoping for” said Julian Matthews, TOFTigers Chairman.
