1. Member of Sustainable Tourism Association

The principle: Operator supports the Sustainable Tourism Association’s mission and has shown that commitment through membership in the organization.

2. Legal Compliance

The principle: Operation is in compliance with all Federal, State, and Local regulations for all
products/services, and commits to abide by all necessary permit conditions.

3. Sustainability Commitment Statement

The principle: Operation has a written Sustainability Commitment Statement that guides its operations and demonstrates commitment to STAH Sustainable Tourism principles.

The Sustainability Commitment Statement must:

4. Commercial Tour Operator Engaged in Guided Activities

The principle: Operation is a commercial endeavor primarily engaged in providing guided
tours and/or activities.

Operator must:

5. Accurate Interpretation

The principle: Interpretation provided to guests while on tour about nature and/or culture
must be accurate and able to be referenced.

Operator must:

6. Marketing Integrity

The principle: Through its marketing materials the operator provides accurate and responsible
information about products and services.

Operator must:

7. Guest Feedback

The principle: The company has system to continuously monitor and analyze its operations and act upon the feedback provided by both guests and employees.

Operator must:

8. Environmental Conservation

The principle: Operation contributes to conservation outcomes annually.

Operator must:

Examples include:

• Invasive species management under a sanctioned program.
• Natural area restoration under a sanctioned program.
• Recycling program.
• Historical building restoration.
• Active participation in, and/or financial support of the maintenance and/or
  management of private and/or public natural protected area(s).
• Annual contributions to local environmental conservation organizations, e.g. protecting rare and endangered species, etc.
• Provide sustainably and/or locally sourced goods to Guests whenever such goods
  are available.

9. Sustaining the Community

The principle: Operation makes ongoing, positive contributions to the community annually.

Operator must:

Examples include:

• Supporting local community development groups, schools, events and activities with program discounts, in-kind, funding, or volunteer time.
• Keeping the majority of operation’s profits within the state.
• Working with associations or groups to improve and contribute to the welfare of local community.
• Providing resources, training, financial assistance or in-kind support to residents for workforce development so that they can work for the operation and/or improve their chances of gaining more highly skilled work.
• Providing resources, training, financial assistance or in-kind support to residents to research and/or monitor environmental impacts in areas of client visitation and/or implement conservation practices locally.
• Assisting in the environmental, ecological and cultural awareness, and education of the community by presenting or sharing relevant information at schools, community
  events, etc

1. Environmental Management

The principle: Tour operator employs environmentally sustainable practices to ensure that
their activities do not degrade the environment.

Note: Sustainable practices should be employed at the operation’s storefront, headquarters and/or base of operations and during each tour. However, the operation may not own the building or other square footage that contains the operation’s storefront, headquarters and/or storage facility. In these cases, check Not Applicable and explain.

Pictures or evidence should be provided to demonstrate other qualifying.

1.1 Built Environment

1.1.1 Lighting Fixtures

1.1.2 Landscaping

1.2 Water Management

The principle: Water consumption is minimized and the water accessed/used is protected.

1.2.1 Conservation Measures

Suggested examples include:

1.2.2 Water Usage/Access

Suggested examples include:

1.3 Noise Management

The principle: Noise pollution is minimized to reduce impact on the natural environment, provide guests the opportunity to hear the natural sounds, and for staff safety.

Suggested examples include:

1.4 Air Quality

The principle: Tour operation has a minimal impact on air quality and greenhouse gas
emissions.

Suggested examples include:

1.5 Waste Management

The principle: The waste management hierarchy of REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE underpins operations of the tour product.

Suggested examples include:

1.6 Energy Management

The principle: Tour operators strive for maximum energy-efficiency and reduced usage of
fossil fuels/nonrenewable energy.

1.6.1 Built Environment

Suggested examples include:

1.6.2 Transportation

Suggested examples include:

1.7 Risk Management

The principle: Tour operator has demonstrated increased awareness and a shared responsibility for resources conservation and risk management within its field operations.

Suggested examples include:

2. Staff Management

The principle: Tour operators hire guides and staff based on their knowledge and qualifications in the field of sustainable tourism; provide accurate and appropriate training to ensure quality of ecotourism experience to guests; and encourage staff professional development.

2.1 New Guide Training

Suggested examples include:

2.2 Continuing Education

Suggested examples include:

3. Interpretation Management

The principle: Tour operators provide all guests with accurate information and foster a better
understanding and appreciation of the ecological and cultural heritage of the place being visited.

3.1 Natural Resources

Suggested examples include:

3.2 Aquatic Resources

3.3 Cultural Resources

3.4 Interpretation Method

The principle: Tourism products shall include at least one face-to-face or one static interpretation opportunity which allows visitors to learn more about the natural and cultural resources of the area being visited.

3.4.1 Face-to-face interpretation

Suggested examples include:

3.4.2 Static/non-personal interpretation

Suggested examples include:

3.5 Accuracy

The principle: Content used for interpretive materials and activities is accurate according to credible reference and is relevant to both the site and audience. Sources of major interpretive narratives are verified through cross checking with (please detail below.

Suggested examples include:

4. Consumer Evaluation Management

The principle: The company continuously monitors its operations and analyzes and acts upon the feedback provided by guests and employees to ensure that tour products meet or exceed consumer expectations.

4.1 Content Evaluated

Please submit a copy of the most recent evaluation management report.

Suggested examples include:

4.2 Informal Feedback

Suggested examples include:

4.3 Formal Feedback

Please submit current evaluation questionnaire with application. See Appendix C for a sample evaluation questionnaire.

Suggested examples include:

5. Marketing Execution

The principle: Through its marketing materials the operator provides as much information before the tour as possible to set appropriate guest expectations and allow for pre-departure learning.

Suggested examples include:

6. Bonus Section

The principle: The items in this area are considered important, however may not be practical for most tour operators and should not count against the overall scoring of an organization.

6.1.1 Independent Certification & Recognition

Suggested examples include:

6.1.2 Comprehensive Sustainability Plan

The principle: Operation has a written sustainability plan that which measures and tracks various measures of sustainability and guides its operations to demonstrate a commitment to STAH Sustainable Tourism principles.

The Sustainability Plan must (all required items):

Tour operator must supply a copy of your Sustainability Plan for credit. See Appendix D for a sample Sustainability Plan.

I acknowledge that:

1. Our business complies with all federal, state and city permits and laws.

2. All the measures identified on this checklist are currently implemented by our business.

3. All the information contained herein and information attached to this application is true and correct.

I hereby certify that the statements and information in this application form are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.