The Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) is pleased to announce the achievement of Bronze Level Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification from GreenStep Solutions. The certification validates OHTO and OHTO members’ commitment to pursuing a sustainable future for the Ontario’s Highlands’ region.

Certification from GreenStep was awarded following a rigorous assessment, review, and verification process. The two-year long process required OHTO to assess sustainability performance across four categories: environmental, socio-economic, natural and cultural, and management using GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Destination Standard.

The Standard has been formally recognized as meeting the criteria for sustainable destination management by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and is in alignment with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“The achievement of Bronze Sustainable Certification is one more step on OHTO’s sustainable journey, and a further demonstration of our commitment to leading the way for visitors, tourism businesses, and destinations. Collectively we are working to improve our sustainability performance and reducing our negative impacts.  As a region, we are walking our talk in our efforts towards building a sustainable future.” said Nicole Whiting, Executive Director of OHTO.

In ecologically diverse regions like Ontario’s Highlands, a focus on responsible tourism is important. Obtaining sustainable certification is part of OHTO’s Wander Sustainably approach to tourism, an approach that focuses on harmonizing prosperity and preservation.  

OHTO’s responsible tourism brand, Wander Sustainably (#WanderSustainably) is a visible reminder that encourages visitors to consider travel planning from a new perspective and consciously seek out experience providers who are taking steps towards sustainability.  

Quotes:

Angela Nagy, CEO & President, GreenStep: “We are thrilled to award the Ontario’s Highlands tourism region our Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification. Throughout this process, OHTO has clearly demonstrated a commitment towards a more sustainable future for the region, both through the submission of mandatory evidence to achieve the certification, and implementation of a newly adopted Sustainability Action Plan. We look forward to seeing their progress over the coming years".

Carol Greenwood, VP, Operations & Partnerships at the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario: “On behalf of TIAO, we would like to congratulate Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization on achieving the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification through the Advancing Sustainable Tourism in Ontario initiative. The unique opportunities and challenges of working across a region with varied geographical and population densities, made for an expansive and detailed process in ensuring accuracy and true representation of the region. This region demonstrates sustainability as part of their decision-making process and have committed to setting an example. We appreciate the dedication towards developing their action plan to guide their sustainable tourism future as part of our province. Thank you to our valued partner, GreenStep Solutions, for their expertise and guidance throughout this process. As we continue this forward motion of learning, respecting our land and each other - we continue to commit to advocating, sharing, and providing resources to advance sustainable tourism within Ontario”


About GreenStep:
GreenStep Solutions has provided green business consulting, certifications and software for more than 1,200 BC Businesses since 2008. GreenStep helps businesses and organizations identify opportunities to go green while at the same time, saving money and improving their green credibility, helping to meet the growing consumer demand for more responsible business. GreenStep also offers the Green Tourism Canada program and ecobase Certified. For more information, visit www.greenstep.ca.

About OHTO
Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) is a not-for-profit organization mandated and funded by the province of Ontario to support tourism within the counties of Haliburton, Lanark, and Renfrew and portions of Frontenac, Hastings, and Lennox and Addington. Find out more at www.ohto.ca.  


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Media Contacts:

Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization
Luisa Sorrentino
Marketing Director
613-629-6486 x202
luisa.sorrentino@ohto.ca

GreenStep Solutions Inc.
Angela Nagy   
CEO & Presidents 
250-215-7714   
angela@greenstep.ca

 

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