ETI is proud to share that we’ve officially received our Certified Student Travel Organization (CSTO) certification! Keep reading to learn what a Certified Student Travel Organization is, why it’s important and what it took to earn such a notable designation in the student travel industry.
WHAT IS CSTO CERTIFICATION?
The CSTO certification was born in 2017 when the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) partnered with the Center for Student Travel Safety (CSTS) to undertake an industry-changing initiative to improve overall safety and risk management practices throughout the student and youth travel industry. Because ETI has always valued the safety and security of its clients—and is an existing SYTA member—a CSTO certification was in perfect alignment with our beliefs and standard of work.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
The actionable and attainable standards for student and youth travel companies and their staff who are pursuing CSTO certification were developed based on input from SYTA members, allied organizations, industry professionals, educators and government officials. In order to ensure CSTOs continue to uphold the standards asked of them, they must re-certify every three years, following the same application process as the initial certification. Knowing this, parents and educators can rest assured ETI not only has their best interests in mind, but are wholly qualified and informed to deliver on that promise.
HOW CSTO CERTIFICATION IS ACHIEVED
For an organization or company to be granted CSTO certification, there are a number of qualifications that must be met. Among them, the company must demonstrate compliance with nine mandatory standards (including crisis response plans and training, organization insurance and a code of ethics) and at least 16 elective standards, from which there are 21 to choose from (options include choices like non-discrimination and harassment policy and training, first aid, CPR and AED training, and more).
In addition to being a CSTO-certified company, ETI is proud to have several team members who have also already earned their Certified Student Travel Professional (CSTP) certification, as well.
Courtesy of ETI.
