The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India signed an MOU with the Ecotourism Society of India (ESOI) to take its commitments to Responsible and Sustainable tourism to the next level. The Ministry of Tourism and the Ecotourism Society of India started the process a couple of years ago when they formulated & published the STCI (Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India) and carried it to the grass root level through series of advocacy workshops. Through this MOU, it is expected that sustainable tourism and Responsible Tourism will take the forefront and achieve the commitments of the Ministry’s action plan.

Ecotourism Society of India

• The Ecotourism Society of India (ESOI) was established in 2008 at the behest of the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) as a non-profit organization to promote environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in the tourism industry across the country.
• This national body was formed by a group of eminent professionals from the tourism industry, Government, Parliament and environmentalists& Conservationists.
• The Society has over the past eight years attempted to spread awareness and educate tourism service providers as well as local government officials on the urgent need to ensure sustainable tourism practices.
• ESOI works closely with both Central and State Government bodies as well as relevant institutions and individuals to facilitate and support synergy of policies, initiatives and activities relating to responsible travel.

In a formal Memorandum of Understanding, MOT recognizes ESOI as the partner in driving and advocating Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) initiatives across the country.