GSTC Forms New Greece Working Group to Drive Sustainable Tourism Initiatives

Sunday, October 20, 2024

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is excited to announce the creation of a new Greece Working Group, dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism across the region. This initiative supports GSTC’s mission of advancing the GSTC Criteria, which serve as the global benchmark for sustainability in travel and tourism.

The Greece Working Group will collaborate with both public and private sector partners to enhance sustainable tourism in one of Europe’s most popular destinations. Its goal is to assist local communities, businesses, and tourist areas in adopting sustainable practices that protect Greece’s natural and cultural assets.

Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Board Member and Director for the Mediterranean Region, has been appointed as Chair of the Greece Working Group, with Spyridon Kagkas, Community Manager at the Athens Development & Destination Management Agency, named as Vice Chair.

“As Chair of the GSTC Greece Working Group, I am thrilled to witness the formalization of this initiative, marking a new chapter for sustainable tourism in Greece. Since 2015, GSTC has been deeply involved in promoting sustainability across the country. Now, with this dedicated working group, we will intensify our efforts in raising awareness, providing training, and supporting certification processes for both the public and private sectors. Greece’s rich heritage and natural beauty deserve to be preserved through responsible tourism practices, and this group will ensure that our years of experience translate into real, impactful progress for Greek tourism,” said Dr. Pappas.

GSTC’s Working Groups provide a valuable platform for stakeholders—such as government agencies, tourism boards, hotels, tour operators, and community organizations—to engage in dialogue and share knowledge. These regional groups play a key role in advancing the global sustainability agenda, and the new Greece Working Group will contribute significantly to these efforts in Southern Europe.