Starboard has achieved the maximum rating from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for taking action to improve the sustainability of the country’s tourism Industry. This official recognition empowers us to bring change to a whole new sector and create positive impact on an even larger scale.
Across the world, the pressure is on to protect the environment. In 2015, 195 nations agreed with the UN to work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. In August of this year, Thailand took action to accomplish these goals. The TAT launched their STAR (Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating) project in an effort to create positive change in one of the country’s most important sectors.
Since its launch, over 300 establishments have joined the project, including some of Thailand’s top tour operators. As of last week, Starboard also features on this list, starring on the same stage as the likes of Mariottt, Centara and Dusit Thani. Under this spotlight, Starboard will be able to bring environmental action to the mass tourism industry.
What is the Award?
The STAR recognises organisations helping to make the Thai Tourism Industry more sustainable. It is awarded to companies on the basis of their fulfilment of Thailand’s 17 Sustainable Tourism Goals (STGs). These targets directly address the UN’s mission for 2030. For example, the first STG is to reduce income inequality, which aligns with the UN’s goal to end poverty. Similarly, STG 2 (sustainable food systems) addresses the UN’s mission to reach ‘Zero Hunger’. In this way, the STAR encourages the tourism industry in Thailand to make changes of global importance.
How does the STAR rate organisations?
Companies are rated on the basis of how quickly they are helping to accelerate sustainable tourism. This system is advantageous over other accreditations, as it can encourage greater change on a shorter time scale.
The minimum expectation is that a company contributes to the three main goals of 13) Climate Action, 16) Safety for All and 17) Partnership for STGs. This ensures that all certified participants are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, keep tourists in Thailand safe and, crucially, collaborate with other companies in their action. For achieving all of these goals, a company can receive 3 stars.
Another star is awarded to any company which achieves an additional 6 of the STGs, so that overall, they are helping Thailand towards 9 of their 17 goals.
Most impressively, the highest possible rating of 5 stars signifies that an organisation is supporting the Thai Tourism Industry to accomplish at least 12 of the STGs. It is these companies which are accelerating Thailand towards Sustainable Tourism the fastest.
What about Starboard?
The STAR awarded Starboard the maximum rating for our contribution to 12 of the STGs! The 5 stars highlight the vast range of ways which we are supporting the Thai Tourism Industry to be more sustainable.
One example is our partnership with Trash Hero, which contributes to STGs 15 and 17. Our collaborative effort to clean up the environment ensures that Thailand preserves its natural beauty so that tourists continue to be attracted to the destination.
In many cases, just one of our initiatives supported several of the goals. Most prominently, our Plastic Offset Program contributed to 5 of the STGs. The program not only helps to clean up the land and water, but also creates job opportunities while offering education through livelihood projects.
The POP was especially valuable to hospitality workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Pattaya, one of Thailand’s top tourist destinations, many lost their jobs when hotels shut because of travel bans. Fortunately, the POP offered a lifeline as individuals could seek temporary jobs as collectors.
Fast forwarding to the present, the STAR also rated our work with tour operators. We are facilitating sustainable action in hotels and resorts in several ways. Our climate positive equipment enables traceless watersport activities. Our educational resources, such as SUP kids, can engage young guests with sustainability. Meanwhile, through offering training to staff, we are promoting safe practises. Finally, and most importantly, we are supporting operators to improve their environmental impact.
Overall, the STAR identified Starboard as a company rapidly accelerating Thailand towards sustainable tourism. Thereby, supporting change in one of the most important economic sectors.
What does this mean?
Starboard is proving that through collaboration and sharing knowledge, positive environmental change can be achieved across sectors. In combining the industries of watersports and tourism, we are developing a whole new way of generating action.
With the STAR, we can cross boundaries. We want to bring The Tiki Life to tourists, so they too fall in love with the water and become motivated to protect it!
Want to find out how we can help you improve your impact too? Contact : eco@star-board.com
