Interview with GSTC-Certified Marine Tour Operator Eco Guide Café’s Founder and CEO Yasushi Izawa 猪澤也寸志.
At UCSL, we are privileged to partner with organizations that share our values and demonstrate exceptional dedication to achieving excellence by implementing the GSTC standard for sustainable tourism.
One such partner is Eco Guide Café, a marine tour operator based in Miyakojima, Japan. Known for their steadfast commitment to coral reef conservation and community-based environmental initiatives, the Eco Guide Café team has made remarkable strides in integrating sustainability into their operations. Their pursuit of GSTC certification reflects their uncompromising standards and aligns seamlessly with their mission to create a sustainable future for Miyakojima, where local community, nature and tourism flourish together.
We cannot help but spotlight their unique initiative, the "No-Touch Coral Manner," a conservation effort with few analogues worldwide. For more than 25 years, Eco Guide Café has gone beyond protecting visible corals to include the delicate, often unseen coral larvae that settle on underwater rocks and stones, ensuring the longevity of this critical marine ecosystem. Developed in collaboration with Miyakojima City, this initiative earned the Environmental Minister's Award at the 2019 Biodiversity Action Awards, a testament to its innovative approach to biodiversity protection.
Eco Guide Café welcomes over 3,000 participants annually to their tours, during which the principles of the "No-Touch Coral Manner" are communicated in the introductory session. By instilling a deep respect for the environment in every visitor, Eco Guide Café fosters a culture of responsible tourism that benefits both nature and the local community. Their efforts extend beyond conservation — they actively collaborate with schools and local stakeholders to raise environmental awareness, nurturing a profound connection to Miyakojima’s unique natural beauty. These activities include educational lectures, beach clean-ups, and snorkeling lessons.
As international travel to Japan continues to grow, travelers are increasingly drawn to authentic experiences that support local communities, while corporate travel places a greater emphasis on meeting rigorous sustainability standards. Consequently, both travelers and businesses are seeking trusted experts who uphold the highest criteria for responsible tourism. With GSTC certification achieved after a rigorous assessment by UCSL, Eco Guide Café’s efforts stand as a global example of how tourism can be a powerful force for good.
In this exclusive interview, Yasushi Izawa, Founder and CEO of Eco Guide Café, shares insights into the certification process, its impact on their operations, and the organization’s vision for a sustainable future.
One such partner is Eco Guide Café, a marine tour operator based in Miyakojima, Japan. Known for their steadfast commitment to coral reef conservation and community-based environmental initiatives, the Eco Guide Café team has made remarkable strides in integrating sustainability into their operations. Their pursuit of GSTC certification reflects their uncompromising standards and aligns seamlessly with their mission to create a sustainable future for Miyakojima, where local community, nature and tourism flourish together.
We cannot help but spotlight their unique initiative, the "No-Touch Coral Manner," a conservation effort with few analogues worldwide. For more than 25 years, Eco Guide Café has gone beyond protecting visible corals to include the delicate, often unseen coral larvae that settle on underwater rocks and stones, ensuring the longevity of this critical marine ecosystem. Developed in collaboration with Miyakojima City, this initiative earned the Environmental Minister's Award at the 2019 Biodiversity Action Awards, a testament to its innovative approach to biodiversity protection.
Eco Guide Café welcomes over 3,000 participants annually to their tours, during which the principles of the "No-Touch Coral Manner" are communicated in the introductory session. By instilling a deep respect for the environment in every visitor, Eco Guide Café fosters a culture of responsible tourism that benefits both nature and the local community. Their efforts extend beyond conservation — they actively collaborate with schools and local stakeholders to raise environmental awareness, nurturing a profound connection to Miyakojima’s unique natural beauty. These activities include educational lectures, beach clean-ups, and snorkeling lessons.
As international travel to Japan continues to grow, travelers are increasingly drawn to authentic experiences that support local communities, while corporate travel places a greater emphasis on meeting rigorous sustainability standards. Consequently, both travelers and businesses are seeking trusted experts who uphold the highest criteria for responsible tourism. With GSTC certification achieved after a rigorous assessment by UCSL, Eco Guide Café’s efforts stand as a global example of how tourism can be a powerful force for good.
In this exclusive interview, Yasushi Izawa, Founder and CEO of Eco Guide Café, shares insights into the certification process, its impact on their operations, and the organization’s vision for a sustainable future.
1. Why is GSTC certification important for your organization?
We have been striving for over 20 years to make Miyako Island a place that becomes more beautiful with each tourist visit, driving the economy with the environment as the “front wheel.” During this time, we have continuously explored sustainable tourism. GSTC certification serves as international recognition of these efforts and provides a critical guideline for taking the next step forward. We believe it will further strengthen the trust between our organization, the local community, and tourists, playing a significant role in establishing Miyako Island as a model for sustainable tourism.
2. Your company has many collaborative activities with schools. What kind of impact do you think GSTC certification will have on education?
Our “No-Touch Coral Manner,” which protects coral larvae growing on underwater rocks and stones, has received the Biodiversity Action Award (Minister of the Environment Award) and garnered the empathy of many school trip participants and inbound tourists. By substantiating these efforts through GSTC certification, we can deliver a more compelling message in educational settings about the importance of tourism that coexists with the natural environment. For students, it offers a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of sustainability principles while learning hands-on in the actual field.
3. How did the audit process (tour visits, stakeholder visits such as the Fisheries Cooperative Association, and interviews at the office) go?
We are deeply grateful that the auditors participated in our main tours as guests, evaluating them with a comprehensive approach. They also confirmed our collaboration with local stakeholders, including the Irabu Fisheries Cooperative Association, and assessed our efforts to develop tourism while preserving local resources. During the office interviews, we received constructive feedback on our daily operations and management systems, making the entire process highly meaningful.
4. What challenges did you face in preparing for the audit?
We approached the development of the GSTC system by referencing the ISO14001 management system we had implemented in the past. The guidelines provided by the auditors were very clear and easy to follow, allowing the application process to proceed smoothly. The biggest challenge was organizing our long-standing efforts into data that could be evaluated by third parties. However, through this process, we were able to strengthen our internal systems and identify further areas for improvement.
5. How do you envision the further development of your organization after obtaining GSTC certification?
We are delighted to have had the opportunity to obtain tour operator certification from one of the most impartial European certification bodies – UCSL United Certification Systems Limited. This certification enables us to attract domestic and international guests seeking sustainable tourism, fostering new partnerships and expanding our market. Additionally, we aim to further strengthen collaboration with local communities and accelerate initiatives that balance environmental conservation with regional economic development. Moving forward, we will continue to develop projects that positively impact both the region and the planet through tourism.
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Did you sense it? The deep love Eco Guide Café holds for their island, their community, and their mission? Tour operators like Eco Guide Café play a vital role in advancing sustainable tourism by adhering to GSTC principles, not only preserving the natural beauty of regions, but also fostering meaningful connections between the environment, local communities, and travelers.
As their certification body, UCSL is proud to showcase Eco Guide Café as an inspiring example of how GSTC-Accredited certification provides a powerful framework for continuous improvement and a compelling message for stakeholders. By setting the bar high, Eco Guide Café inspires others to follow suit in creating meaningful change.
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______________________
Did you sense it? The deep love Eco Guide Café holds for their island, their community, and their mission? Tour operators like Eco Guide Café play a vital role in advancing sustainable tourism by adhering to GSTC principles, not only preserving the natural beauty of regions, but also fostering meaningful connections between the environment, local communities, and travelers.
As their certification body, UCSL is proud to showcase Eco Guide Café as an inspiring example of how GSTC-Accredited certification provides a powerful framework for continuous improvement and a compelling message for stakeholders. By setting the bar high, Eco Guide Café inspires others to follow suit in creating meaningful change.
Follow us on Linkedin to hear more news like this!
December 4, 2024