Why would I use STAH’s certified sustainable tourism operators versus those that are not certified?

To quote Carol Patterson’s Reinventure(R) monthly ezine, “Too often, North Americans resist spending money on a guided tour while on a domestic trip, preferring to lead themselves. Perhaps they want to save money or the environment seems too familiar to require an expert, but I’m convinced hiring a guide is the way to find the best in every destination, even the ones you think you know!”