GSTC Certification Awarded to We Tour,
Marking a First for Sint Maarten
Marking a First for Sint Maarten
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is pleased to announce that We Tour, a tour operator based in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, has achieved GSTC Certification. Awarded following a rigorous onsite assessment conducted by UCSL, the certificate confirms that We Tour meets the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Tour Operator Standard, the leading global benchmark for sustainability in tourism. With this milestone, We Tour becomes the first GSTC-Certified tour operator in Sint Maarten and one of only a few in the wider Caribbean.
Throughout the audit, We Tour demonstrated a robust sustainability management system appropriate for its scale and operational context. The company has established clear policies covering environmental responsibility, cultural respect, labor practices, and community wellbeing, all supported by internal procedures and regular staff training. Feedback from guests, cruise partners, and surveys is regularly analyzed and used to improve both service quality and sustainability performance, reflecting a culture of openness and continuous improvement.
Throughout the audit, We Tour demonstrated a robust sustainability management system appropriate for its scale and operational context. The company has established clear policies covering environmental responsibility, cultural respect, labor practices, and community wellbeing, all supported by internal procedures and regular staff training. Feedback from guests, cruise partners, and surveys is regularly analyzed and used to improve both service quality and sustainability performance, reflecting a culture of openness and continuous improvement.
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“During our work with We Tour, what struck us most was how meaningfully they take their responsibilities – to their guests, to their staff, and to the island. They may be a small operator, but nothing about their approach is small. This certification reflects real work, real discipline, and a team that genuinely cares,”
Cultural interpretation is central to We Tour’s signature experience, the Philipsburg by Trolley Train excursion, which highlights the historical and cultural heritage of Sint Maarten through guided storytelling and strengthens visitors’ appreciation of local culture. The tour contributes to the local economy through partnerships with small vendors and artisans, helping channel visitor spending into community livelihoods. We Tour also provides complimentary educational tours for schools, youth groups, elderly residents, and disability-support organizations.
Environmental responsibility plays a significant role in We Tour’s operations: the company works actively to reduce single-use plastics, applies clear waste-management procedures, and monitors environmental performance through defined indicators. Half of the fleet is already electric, with a full transition planned by October 2026, and preparations for a solar-powered charging station further illustrate the operator’s long-term approach to lowering emissions.
Environmental responsibility plays a significant role in We Tour’s operations: the company works actively to reduce single-use plastics, applies clear waste-management procedures, and monitors environmental performance through defined indicators. Half of the fleet is already electric, with a full transition planned by October 2026, and preparations for a solar-powered charging station further illustrate the operator’s long-term approach to lowering emissions.
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Raphael Dorra, Director of We Tour, reflected on the achievement and the values behind it: “Sustainability guides the way we operate each day. GSTC Certification validates the work we’ve already done and inspires us to continue improving for our staff, our guests, and our community. We believe in a responsible future for tourism in Sint Maarten, and we’re proud to contribute to it.”
He also noted the role of the cruise industry: “We Tour is also grateful for the strong engagement from major cruise lines, particularly Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line, who have been very supportive throughout our GSTC journey.”
He also noted the role of the cruise industry: “We Tour is also grateful for the strong engagement from major cruise lines, particularly Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line, who have been very supportive throughout our GSTC journey.”
This reflects a broader industry shift, with GSTC Certification increasingly expected in cruise tourism supply chains as major operators place greater emphasis on credible, independently verified sustainability practices from their excursion partners. Becoming GSTC-Certified is a significant accomplishment for a small, locally rooted operator. It demonstrates how clear policies, structured management, and genuine commitment can build strong foundations for responsible tourism operations regardless of company size.
UCSL looks forward to seeing We Tour continue leading by example as the Caribbean moves toward more credible and responsible tourism practices.
UCSL looks forward to seeing We Tour continue leading by example as the Caribbean moves toward more credible and responsible tourism practices.
About We Tour
We Tour is an inbound tour operator based in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, dedicated to showcasing the island’s cultural heritage and vibrant community life. Since 2015, its signature experience, the Philipsburg by Trolley Train tour, has guided visitors through the heart of the capital, offering thoughtful interpretation of local history and everyday culture.
Through experiences designed with care and respect, We Tour strives to ensure tourism remains a positive force for the people and the island of Sint Maarten.
About UCSL
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body headquartered in Cyprus, providing internationally acknowledged sustainability certification services for hotels and tour operators worldwide. With a team of experienced auditors and regional representatives across multiple continents, UCSL ensures rigorous, impartial, and credible evaluation of sustainability practices against the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Industry Standards – the world’s leading standard for sustainable travel and tourism.
Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, UCSL goes beyond auditing by actively contributing to capacity-building, awareness, and collaboration across the industry, supporting businesses in embedding sustainability as a driver of competitiveness, resilience, and long-term positive impact on people and the planet.
About GSTC Certification
GSTC Certification is the globally acknowledged mark of sustainable tourism, awarded to hotels, tour operators, and other businesses that meet the GSTC Standards – the world’s leading criteria for responsible travel. It confirms that a business has undergone a rigorous and impartial assessment by a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international non-profit organization established through a strategic coalition including the United Nations Foundation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN Tourism.
Holding GSTC Certification demonstrates a business’s genuine commitment to sustainability through a process that is credible, transparent, and globally consistent. The term "GSTC Certification" specifically means certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited, ensuring full alignment with the world’s highest standards for sustainable tourism.
We Tour is an inbound tour operator based in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, dedicated to showcasing the island’s cultural heritage and vibrant community life. Since 2015, its signature experience, the Philipsburg by Trolley Train tour, has guided visitors through the heart of the capital, offering thoughtful interpretation of local history and everyday culture.
Through experiences designed with care and respect, We Tour strives to ensure tourism remains a positive force for the people and the island of Sint Maarten.
About UCSL
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body headquartered in Cyprus, providing internationally acknowledged sustainability certification services for hotels and tour operators worldwide. With a team of experienced auditors and regional representatives across multiple continents, UCSL ensures rigorous, impartial, and credible evaluation of sustainability practices against the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Industry Standards – the world’s leading standard for sustainable travel and tourism.
Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, UCSL goes beyond auditing by actively contributing to capacity-building, awareness, and collaboration across the industry, supporting businesses in embedding sustainability as a driver of competitiveness, resilience, and long-term positive impact on people and the planet.
About GSTC Certification
GSTC Certification is the globally acknowledged mark of sustainable tourism, awarded to hotels, tour operators, and other businesses that meet the GSTC Standards – the world’s leading criteria for responsible travel. It confirms that a business has undergone a rigorous and impartial assessment by a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international non-profit organization established through a strategic coalition including the United Nations Foundation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN Tourism.
Holding GSTC Certification demonstrates a business’s genuine commitment to sustainability through a process that is credible, transparent, and globally consistent. The term "GSTC Certification" specifically means certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited, ensuring full alignment with the world’s highest standards for sustainable tourism.
November 27, 2025