Partnership between CED and National Geographic Society Achieves First Milestone
Montreal, October 18, 2007― A first accomplishment was born of the partnership concluded last February between the CED and the National Geographic Society. As such, Montreal today becomes the world’s first signatory urban destination of the Geotourism Charter established by National Geographic Society.
At the initiative of the CED and in collaboration with Tourisme Montréal, a work meeting took place on February 20, 2007 in which participated Cheryl M. Hargrove, assistant director of the Center for Sustainable Destinations of the National Geographic Society, André Vallerand, president of the CED, as well as many Montreal stakeholders. The meeting, intended to discuss possibilities for adopting a geotourism approach for Montreal, was a great success with some dozen Montreal organizations attending the meeting.
“ I’m very pleased about the fact that today, only eight months after that first meeting, we can announce Montreal’s signature of the Geotourism Charter of the National Geographic Society,” said André Vallerand, president of the CED. “This accomplishment is the first concrete result from the partnership agreement between the CED and the National Geographic Society. The goal of the agreement is to define the parameters that will help tourism destinations reach and maintain excellence in many regards by adhering to a list of criteria that will allow them to develop their strengths and distinguish themselves from the competition.”
Excellence of services offered to tourists, respect for the environment, quality of life of the population, and a rich cultural and historical heritage are among the main criteria of the Geotourism Charter. By complying with the Charter’s set of regulations, the signatories will enjoy global visibility and associated economic spin-offs.
The mission of the World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED), a non-profit organization based in Montreal, is to support the Destinations Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) by valorizing and developing the expertise of destinations. The CED serves as a catalyst for partnerships and collaborations with public and private stakeholders that have an expertise that could improve the performance of tourism destinations.
UNWTO, headquartered in Madrid, Spain, is the United Nations agency specialized in tourism. In addition to its 150 member countries – among them Canada – it has some 300 affiliate or associate members, including private businesses, non-profit organizations, associations, as well as teaching institutions that are active in tourism. UNWTO plays a central and decisive role in promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism as a motor of economic and social development, international understanding, peace, and prosperity.
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Source: World Centre of Excellence for Destinations (CED)
Information: Nathalie Laberinto
(+1) 514.871.1115 (ext. 226)
nlaberinto@ced.travel
First accomplishment born of the partnership between the CED and the National Geographic Society 
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