Grenada Rebrands Itself a Geotourism Destination
The PR firm Inglefield/Ogilvy & Mather Caribbean Ltd. has announced a geotourism rebranding for the Caribbean island nation of Grenada: “Pure Grenada.” Local sustainable development expert Jennifer Alexis, of Ethical Ideas, spent months working on the cllarorative public-private initiaitive. See more at Yahoo finance or the Grenada blog. It now remains to be seen whether Grenada can live up to its promise of becoming an exemplary, authentic, sustainable Caribbean-flavored destination.
In a supportive move, the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) will host its 3rd Symposium and Sustainability Expo for Innovators in Coastal Tourism, in Grenada from July 8 to 11, 2014.
GSTC Names Randy Durband New CEO
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has announced the appointment of sustainable-tourism consultant Randy Durband to head the organization, replacing Mauro Marrocu, who resigned last year. Durband hopes to revitalize an organization that has been a bit wobbly ever since its U.N. Foundation grant ran out a couple of years ago, the efforts of its dedicated volunteer professionals notwithstanding. The GSTC has overseen the closest thing we’ve got to an international consensus on sustainability criteria for destinations and tourism businesses. Since these criteria need constant review and updating, a stable and vigorous GSTC is in the interest of all.
World Legacy Awards Revived
National Geographic Traveler magazine has relaunched its World Legacy Awards program for sustainable tourism in cooperation with the annual ITB travel show in Berlin. Successfully conducted for two years in partnership with Conservation International, World Legacy was suspended after organizational changes a few years ago. The renewed program will give awards in five categories:
- Eco Innovation
- Cultural Heritage
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Community Engagement
- Sustainable Destination
Applications will be accepted this summer. World Legacy now offers awards parallel to the World Responsible Tourism Awards hosted at London’s WTM annual travel show.
Gulf States Geotourism MapGuide Rolls Out
In an Alabama ceremony, the National Geographic Gulf States Geotourism MapGude project has rolled out its website, now populated with hundreds of locally submittted nominations. Accompanying the website is a National Geographic created 37 inch by 25 inch print version with 200 distinctive points of interest in the four participating states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Funding has come from the state offices of tourism, BP’s Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotion Grant Funds, and a federal grant given via the U.S. Public Lands Highways Discretionary Program.
Look for more posts on each of these topics in the future.
