Global DMC Network by JTB Group DMC Travelife Partner status

JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc. (JTBGMT), member of the Global DMC Network by JTB Group, received the Travelife Partner award last month in recognition of the long-term efforts of JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc. as well as its frontrunner position in Japan regarding sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility.

JTBGMT complies with over 100 criteria related to operators’ office management, product range, international business partners and customer information. The Travelife standard covers the ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility themes, including environment, biodiversity, human rights and labor relations; and is formally recognized as in full compliance with the UN supported Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC).

JTBGMT is the first company in Japan to achieve the status Travelife Partner. The Travelife Partner status lets the DMC aim for the next level (Travelife Certified), which is a program accredited by the GSTC.

Comments from Mr. Naut Kusters, manager of Travelife for tour operators:

“I am delighted to see that sustainability in the tour operator sector is obtaining momentum. The award of the front runner JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc. will inspire other companies in Japan to follow the same path.”

Comments from Mr. Shinya “Billy” Kurosawa, President and CEO of JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.:

“I am honored and humbled to be certified Travelife Partner as the first Japanese company. It is essential to promote sustainable tourism as one of the leading tourism industry players, because of the impact of tourism on the environment, culture and socio-economic factors. We would like to promote efforts of sustainable tourism within Japan in cooperation with industry players.”

Travelife – established with the support of the European Commission – is the leading international sustainability certification for the travel sector. More than 35 national travel associations are promoting the scheme to their members including ABTA, The British Travel Association, PATA and the Pacific Asian Travel Association. Since 2012, over 600 Asian companies have been trained in CSR with the support of the Dutch government’s CBI program. They are now working step-by-step towards more sustainable operations.