Kootenay Rockies Tourism first destination to be certified by GreenStep Sustainable Tourism

Kootenay Rockies Tourism has achieved sustainable Tourism Silver Certified Destination status from GreenStep Sustainable Tourism. The designation recognizes that the destination marketing organization, headquartered in Kimberley, adheres to sustainability principles which contribute to a long-term balance between economic, social cultural and environmental dimensions of the geographic area in which it operates – in this case, B.C.’s Kootenay region.

The Kootenay Rockies Tourism region is the first destination to be certified by GreenStep Sustainable Tourism, the first and only Canadian-based provider of tourism industry certifications for both tourism businesses and destinations.

The certification comprises 117 questions and several hundred indicators that Kootenay Rockies Tourism completed and were reviewed together with a GreenStep assessor.

Upon completion of a formal evidence review, KRT achieved Sustainable Tourism Silver Certified Destination.

“Achieving the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification is an important milestone for our regional destination,” said Kathy Cooper, CEO of Kootenay Rockies Tourism. “Our team has been working closely with GreenStep on a number of important destination stewardship initiatives since 2018, including the development of a Sustainability Charter and action plan and the delivery of several programs for our stakeholders. The Certification is based on rigorous international standards, and we are very proud to be the first destination certified and hope many more will follow suit and contribute in making BC and Canada world leaders in sustainable tourism.”

Angela NAGY, CEO of GreenStep Solutions, congratulated Kootenay Rockies Tourism both on achieving the milestone, important “in measuring and verifying the sustainability performance of their destination, and for putting in place their Sustainability Charter and action plan to help guide their continued improvement over time.”

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