NaturCert announces a new partnership with S&S Consulting to provide NaturCert certification in Ecuador. S&S Consulting will help hotels and tour operators in Ecuador achieve green and sustainable certification. The Ecuadorian government has made sustainability a top priority for tourism. NaturCert believes this partnership can help Ecuadorian businesses gain a competitive advantage and be leaders in sustainable tourism.

1. Press Release Source: NaturCert
NaturCert announces new presence in Ecuador
Today NaturCert announces the appointment of S&S CONSULTING for
providing NaturCert Certification in Ecuador.
Athens, Greece - 25 June 2010 - NaturCert operates through the international
network of NaturCert Representative Offices and subsidiaries. Each network member
is a separate and independent legal entity and operates locally in countries around the
world. NaturCert's local partners provide NaturCert programs locally and perform
marketing and communication activities in local business language.
In Ecuador, NaturCert appointed S&S CONSULTING, a Guayaquil-based hospitality &
tourism consulting firm. S&S CONSULTING, Advisor in Tourism Management has
extensive experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, through the development
of projects in Ecuador independently and in collaboration with strategic partners from
South America and Mexico, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru.
Viviane Salame and Eva Sanchez, Partners of S&S CONSULTING said “For S&S
partners, representing NaturCert means to support sustainable tourism through green
& sustainable certification for hotels and tour operators. We expect a great response
from the hotel managers and the main authorities in Ecuador committed to
sustainability, that has become a major trend and a national priority in Ecuador.”
The Ecuador tourism industry has set sustainability as one of its top priorities for the
coming years. The main goal of Ecuador's Ministry of Tourism (PDF) for the country's
tourism industry is to develop the tourism activity of Ecuador in a sustainable manner.
Tourism is aimed to become a primary driver in the economy of the country and will
ensure a social, cultural and environmental sustainable method of development. The
ministry aims through its action plan to enhance the tourism products in the four main
destinations: Galapagos, Pacific Coast, Andes and Amazon, with selected product
categories: Ecotourism, Sun and beach, Sports and Adventure, Tourism,
Communitarian Tourism, Health Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Gastronomy, Agro-Tourism,
Thematic Parks, MICE and Cruises.
Foreign AID programs are assisting the implementation of this action plan, such as the
Sustainable Tourism Alliance project funded by the USAID and implemented during
the period of 2007-2009, which focused on the following objectives:
1. Expand sustainable tourism in and around protected areas
2. Increase tourism’s economic benefits
3. Make tourism more sustainable
4. Improve tourism management in Ecuador’s national parks, including Galapagos,
a threatened world heritage site
Akis Laopodis, Managing Director of NaturCert said: "Ecuador is a diverse destination,
with a growing hospitality sector. Following our talks with local hotel and tourism
services managers, green and sustainability is one of the main focal points along with
quality and economic development, and we are now able to assist them in taking the

2. next step for not missing the opportunity to be at the edge of the industry's trends, by
incorporating sustainability in their operation and gain a competitive advantage.”
About S&S CONSULTING:
S&S CONSULTING, Advisors in Tourism Management, provides Hospitality and Tourism
consultancy services in Ecuador, independently and in collaboration with strategic
partners from South America and Mexico, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia and
Peru. S&S's industry knowledge and vast experience in working with sustainable
tourism projects and training provides great diversity and creativity. It allows the S&S
team to successfully meet the objectives of every project undertaken with the highest
professionalism and integrity for all types of clients.
About NaturCert:
NaturCert develops sustainability criteria and programs recognizing green &
sustainable travel & tourism organizations. NaturCert operates through the
international network of NaturCert Representative Offices and subsidiaries.Further to
that, NaturCert introduces international and local initiatives promoting sustainability
and environmentally responsible as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR)
practices. The initiatives are either developed by NaturCert's own team and network,
its partners or third parties.
CONTACTS:
NaturCert Ecuador
Tel.: +5934 2 889 279
Email: ecuador@naturcert.com
Web: www.naturcert.com/ecuador
NaturCert International
Tel.: +44 20 8144 0925
Email: pr@naturcert.com
Web: www.naturcert.com