Panama City, Panama (21 October 2021) – Sustainable Travel International announced today they are joining the Panama Alliance for Community Tourism (PACT). This initiative focuses on building community tourism experiences that strengthen resident well-being and resilience, while contributing to the regeneration and celebration of the country’s natural and cultural resources.
The PACT initiative is led by the The Panamanian Foundation for Sustainable Tourism (APTSO) in partnership with Panama Tourism Authority (ATP) and with the support of Fundacion Natura, The GEF Small Grants Program, and Planeterra. With Sustainable Travel International as a strategic ally, the PACT partners will expand their scope to promote strategies for the recovery of natural spaces and empower communities to address climate change and pollution issues.
“Sustainable Travel International is excited to join this forward-thinking initiative and build upon our previous work in Panama,” said Paloma Zapata, CEO of Sustainable Travel International, “Through this partnership, we will support rural communities in developing climate-friendly tourism products to protect and showcase the country’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.”
This new alliance between PACT and Sustainable Travel International will collaborate on sustainable tourism projects that advance mutual interests, including improving:
- the environmental impacts of tourism by decreasing the carbon footprint of tourism-related activities;
- the resilience of local communities to withstand and recover from future disruptions and threats;
- livelihood opportunities for local communities by building their capacity and creating more inclusive tourism value chains; and
- the conservation of the natural ecosystems and celebration of cultural heritage by shifting to a more regenerative tourism model.
“The alliance with Sustainable Travel International gives us a greater scope to achieve conservation strategies that benefit rural communities in Panama. In addition, it will allow us to continue innovating in the development and design of sustainable tourism projects and achieve greater advocacy to create successful models that can be replicated in the region” said Annie Young J. President of APTSO.
To learn more about PACT, visit www.aptso.org or contact Annie Young at [email protected].
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Media Contacts:
- Kaitlyn Brajcich (Sustainable Travel International) – [email protected]
- Annie Young (Panamanian Foundation for Sustainable Tourism – APTSO) – [email protected]
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The Panamanian Foundation for Sustainable Tourism (APTSO) is a non-profit organization that aims to combine economic development and conservation through tourism activities that will positively benefit the local communities. We develop sustainable tourism in Panama through strategic collaboration to maximize socioeconomic and conservation outcomes, enhancing the experience of visitors and our communities to ensure that tourism meets local needs and protects the natural and cultural heritage of Panama. For more information please visit: www.aptso.org
Sustainable Travel International is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and conserving our planet’s most vulnerable destinations. We are transforming tourism’s impact on nature and people by working alongside local communities, engaging travelers and businesses in responsible practices, and strengthening destination management. Through our work, we aim to safeguard nature, combat climate change, and empower communities to preserve the integrity of destinations around the globe. To learn more visit www.sustainabletravel.org.
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