Destination Stewardship Report January - April 2025 (Volume 5, Issue 3) The Destination Stewardship Report is a collaboration between the Destination Stewardship Center, Center for Responsible Travel, and Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Our goal is to provide practical information and insights useful to anyone whose work or interests involve improving destination stewardship in a post-pandemic [...]
Overview The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is seeking an Accreditation Compliance Manager to manage GSTC accreditation documents and conduct compliance assessments. GSTC has developed a credible assurance program for hotels, tour operators, and destinations and has been extending it to MICE and Attractions. The growth of the GSTC Assurance Program requires qualified managers [...]
Overview The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is seeking a Training Program Coordinator. This role covers executing various operational and administrative functions of the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program while supporting the GSTC Training Team. See the GSTC Training Program Coordinator Description for full details. Roles & Responsibilities Ensure the maintenance of up-to-date training [...]
Schedule| Trainer | Registration Info | Discounts Sustainable MICE Online Course The GSTC MICE Course provides the knowledge and tools needed to help improve sustainability practices in the MICE industry. The course covers the GSTC MICE Standard (for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions), aiming to serve as [...]
Overview The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is seeking a dedicated Auditor Training Program Manager administration of GSTC’s auditor training program. This role covers a wide range of duties, from establishing training plans and organizing training sessions, to managing the auditor qualification process, scheduling, evaluation, and deriving insights for the ongoing development of the [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) is pleased to announce that the standard “Version 1” has gained GSTC-Recognized Standard status, meaning they have been fully recognized as equivalent to the GSTC Industry Standard. Green my Experience is part of the Overview Effect, an ecosystem of purpose-driven companies driving real change through innovation, sustainable efficiency, and [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in partnership with GSTC Member Destination DC, hosted an exclusive Pre-Summit Executive Workshop at Yours Truly DC Hotel, Vignette Collection by IHG, in Washington DC, USA. The workshop opened on Tuesday, March 25, with a warm welcome from Melissa Riley, Senior Vice President of Convention Sales & Services [...]
The 3rd GSTC Academic Symposium will be held in Fiji on August 5th just before the GSTC2025 Global Conference. This one-day, in-person gathering offers a dedicated space for researchers, practitioners and academics to connect and explore key topics in sustainable tourism. The symposium aims to foster dialogue and knowledge-sharing by inviting submissions focused on [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced last year the development of a new criteria set, GSTC Standard for Food & Beverage Service Providers, which has already undergone its first public consultation, which lasted 60 days. In August 2024, the GSTC, in partnership with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), announced its plans [...]
VisitScotland has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Scotland is known for its diverse landscapes and cultural heritage. With its mountain ranges, lochs, and historic sites, the country offers a mix of natural and historical attractions. From castles and ancient landmarks to modern cities, Scotland reflects a blend of [...]
Destination Asia has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Destination Asia is a leading DMC based in Asia, currently operating across nine countries in Asia, with 17 operational offices across the network. With business divisions covering leisure travel, MICE and cruise, Destination Asia states it remains committed to ethical [...]
GSTC renames its global standards from ‘GSTC Criteria’ to ‘GSTC Standards’ to enhance clarity and alignment with international terminology. "Our founders named these standards the ‘GSTC Criteria’ to distinguish them as globally managed standards from other sustainable tourism standards. However, that name led some stakeholders to believe they were something other than standards. Our Board [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by Kobe University, was held with the participation of local and external tourism stakeholders and students from the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies at Kobe University. The course took place from March 18th to 20th, 2025, in Kannabe Kougen, located in Toyooka City, Hyogo, a region [...]
Rosewood Hotel Group has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Rosewood Hotel Group is a leading global lifestyle and hospitality management group. It encompasses four brands: ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotels & Resorts; upper-upscale New World Hotels & Resorts; Asaya, an integrated well-being concept; and Carlyle & Co., a modern and [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that TÜV Rheinland, through its China office, has gained the GSTC-accredited Certification Body status with the scope of certifying hotels/accommodations to GSTC Hotel Criteria with worldwide geographical area.TÜV Rheinland is an international provider of technical services for testing, inspection, certification, consultation, and training. The company [...]
CLIA Cruise Week, including the fourth edition of the European Summit, brought together the cruise industry’s most senior cruise line leaders, policymakers, business partners, and suppliers to discuss the future of the industry. The European Summit has established itself as the platform for the cruise community to share its vision for [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the 14th Annual Meeting of HAPCO & DES, held on March 10-11, 2025, at the Megaron Athens International Conference Center, in Athens, Greece. The event addressed the evolving landscape of the meetings and hospitality industry, emphasizing adaptability and innovation. Discussions included repositioning Greece as a meetings destination, [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has revised the GSTC Accreditation Manual for Certification Bodies - Destination (hereafter, the Destination Accreditation Manual) and was approved on March 26, 2025. The manual is available on the GSTC Accreditation Documents webpage. Given the dynamic nature of the tourism industry, periodic updates and revisions to the certification [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has unveiled a new self-assessment tool designed specifically for destinations seeking to measure and enhance their sustainable tourism practices. The tool offers a simple yet effective way for destination to evaluate their progress across the four pillars of the GSTC Destination Criteria: Sustainable Management: This section encourages destinations [...]
Sustainable travel is no longer just an ethical choice – it’s a business imperative and a rising opportunity in the global tourism industry. In Asia Pacific (APAC), where travel habits are as diverse as the region itself, this opportunity comes with unique challenges and responsibilities. Recent research estimates that the global sustainable tourism market [...]
