The Rainforest Alliance’s Impact Grows Even in Economic Downturn

The Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable tourism activities have increased by 43 percent since 2007, as the number of businesses working with the program increased from 300 to 429. The Rainforest Alliance also teamed up with the United Nations Foundation, United Nations World Tourism Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme to launch the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria in October 2008. These criteria will be the minimum standard that any tourism business should aspire to in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for poverty alleviation. The 37 criteria will help harmonize certification systems, codes of conduct, and sets of best practices around the globe and will be relevant to lodging and tour operators of all sizes and in all locations, across the industry.