Tour operators from Uzbekistan pass the certification of sustainable tourism under the “Travelife” program
Four tour operators from Uzbekistan are undergoing sustainable tourism certification under the “Travelife” program. This important initiative is organized by the Association of Private Tourism Agencies of Uzbekistan (APTA) under The USAID Future Growth Initiative.
In order to successfully pass the “Travelife” certification and meet international standards for sustainable tourism, tour operators first attended a two-day “Travelife” seminars in Tashkent, during which they were introduced to various aspects of sustainable tourism.
The seminar program included an introduction to the concept and role of a tour operator, as well as practical skills in sustainability management and the use of the “Travelife” platform.
The goal of the certification is not only to obtain a certificate, but also to create a launching pad for further development of sustainable tourism in Uzbekistan. The four tour operators participating in the program have become a starting point for the next steps in the certification of Uzbekistan's tourism business, as well as for future research, projects and cooperation in this area.
Anula Galewska, the main consultant of the project, said: “Work with tour operators is going well, all of them are preparing documents to become '”Travelife” partners. The work is going on individually, and we hope that the companies will finalize their preparations in the next week or two."
Tour operators have already passed the basic assessment of the current level, made a plan of action together with the main consultant, and at the moment individual preparation for certification with each tour operator.
For reference: Travelife is an international training, management and certification program in the field of sustainable tourism. The company is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and works with tour operators and travel agencies from more than 100 countries.
What are the benefits of the Travelife certificate? First of all, the certificate is an international recognition in the field of sustainable tourism. It certainly gives marketing advantages and opportunities to enter new markets. But more than that, it is a powerful educational tool that really helps to improve the tourism product, internal management of the organization and the level of service for tourists.
In the near future we will share success stories of each certified tour operator. Follow our news and stay informed.