Japanese Marine Tour Operator Eco Guide Café Achieves GSTC Certification
Miyakojima, Japan — Eco Guide Café, a pioneering marine tour operator with decades of dedication to responsible tourism principles, has achieved GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) Certification, a globally endorsed standard for sustainability in travel and tourism.
Reputed for its high standards for environmental and social impact and a rigorous, third-party review process, GSTC certification underscores Eco Guide Café’s commitment to creating meaningful travel experiences that benefit the environment, local communities, and visitors. Through initiatives like the award-winning "No-Touch Coral Manner," Eco Guide Café has demonstrated a holistic approach to sustainability, prioritizing not only operational excellence but also education and community engagement.
The assessment, conducted by UCSL, a GSTC-Accredited certification body, included a rigorous evaluation of Eco Guide Café’s procedures, operations, including their suppliers’ management. Eco Guide Café showcased that sustainability is embedded throughout every stage of the traveler’s journey, fostering both authentic experiences and well-being of local nature and people.
Yasushi Izawa, Founder and CEO of Eco Guide Café, commented: “Receiving GSTC certification has been a vital milestone for Eco Guide Café, reinforcing our dedication to protecting the local environment and promoting eco-conscious tourism. This certification helps us to attract environmentally aware tourists, strengthens our credibility, and assures our clients that they are supporting a business aligned with their values. By adhering to a global sustainability standard, we aim to contribute positively to the island's tourism industry and preserve its beauty for future generations.
From the very beginning, UCSL demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise, supporting us with clear communication and a step-by-step approach. Their support was instrumental in enhancing our environmental practices and aligning them with global standards for responsible tourism. The assessment process was well-structured, and UCSL’s team thoroughly evaluated our operations, ensuring we met the highest sustainability requirements.
We highly recommend UCSL for any organization seeking GSTC certification. Their professionalism, dedication, and expertise have been invaluable to our company, and we are grateful for the positive impact they have had on our journey toward achieving the highest standards of sustainable tourism in Japan and worldwide.”
Olga Shuvalova, CEO of UCSL, remarked: “Eco Guide Café’s journey toward GSTC certification is a testament to their deep commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. It was an honor for our team at UCSL to work with such a forward-thinking and dedicated organization. Their initiatives set an inspiring example of how tour operators can integrate sustainability into every aspect of their operations and foster meaningful relationships with local communities and ecosystems. We are proud to have supported Eco Guide Café in achieving this significant milestone and look forward to seeing their future accomplishments.”
Their achievement highlights that SMEs can successfully pursue GSTC certification, proving that size is no barrier to making a significant impact when commitment and passion for sustainability are at the core of your operations. With GSTC Certification, Eco Guide Café joins a global network of tourism operators dedicated to advancing sustainable practices and setting new benchmarks for the industry.
Reputed for its high standards for environmental and social impact and a rigorous, third-party review process, GSTC certification underscores Eco Guide Café’s commitment to creating meaningful travel experiences that benefit the environment, local communities, and visitors. Through initiatives like the award-winning "No-Touch Coral Manner," Eco Guide Café has demonstrated a holistic approach to sustainability, prioritizing not only operational excellence but also education and community engagement.
The assessment, conducted by UCSL, a GSTC-Accredited certification body, included a rigorous evaluation of Eco Guide Café’s procedures, operations, including their suppliers’ management. Eco Guide Café showcased that sustainability is embedded throughout every stage of the traveler’s journey, fostering both authentic experiences and well-being of local nature and people.
Yasushi Izawa, Founder and CEO of Eco Guide Café, commented: “Receiving GSTC certification has been a vital milestone for Eco Guide Café, reinforcing our dedication to protecting the local environment and promoting eco-conscious tourism. This certification helps us to attract environmentally aware tourists, strengthens our credibility, and assures our clients that they are supporting a business aligned with their values. By adhering to a global sustainability standard, we aim to contribute positively to the island's tourism industry and preserve its beauty for future generations.
From the very beginning, UCSL demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise, supporting us with clear communication and a step-by-step approach. Their support was instrumental in enhancing our environmental practices and aligning them with global standards for responsible tourism. The assessment process was well-structured, and UCSL’s team thoroughly evaluated our operations, ensuring we met the highest sustainability requirements.
We highly recommend UCSL for any organization seeking GSTC certification. Their professionalism, dedication, and expertise have been invaluable to our company, and we are grateful for the positive impact they have had on our journey toward achieving the highest standards of sustainable tourism in Japan and worldwide.”
Olga Shuvalova, CEO of UCSL, remarked: “Eco Guide Café’s journey toward GSTC certification is a testament to their deep commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. It was an honor for our team at UCSL to work with such a forward-thinking and dedicated organization. Their initiatives set an inspiring example of how tour operators can integrate sustainability into every aspect of their operations and foster meaningful relationships with local communities and ecosystems. We are proud to have supported Eco Guide Café in achieving this significant milestone and look forward to seeing their future accomplishments.”
Their achievement highlights that SMEs can successfully pursue GSTC certification, proving that size is no barrier to making a significant impact when commitment and passion for sustainability are at the core of your operations. With GSTC Certification, Eco Guide Café joins a global network of tourism operators dedicated to advancing sustainable practices and setting new benchmarks for the industry.
About Eco Guide Café
Eco Guide Café, based in Miyakojima, Japan, is a marine tour operator with decades of dedication to coral reef conservation and environmental education. Eco Guide Café is committed to enriching travelers with authentic, mindful, immersive experiences, all while preserving Miyakojima’s natural beauty.
About UCSL United Certifications Limited
UCSL United Certification Systems Limited is an independent certification body, headquartered in the EU and operating worldwide. One of the first GSTC-Accredited certification bodies, we provide certification services for hotels and tour operators. Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, we transcend the traditional role of a certification body, emerging as pioneers in research and education, spearheading meaningful change within the tourism industry.
December 3, 2024