The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) is pleased to announce that the standard “Singapore MICE Sustainability Certification (MSC) Framework” has gained GSTC-Recognized Standard status, meaning that it has been fully recognized as equivalent to the GSTC MICE Criteria Version 1.0.
Developed by Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), with the support of Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and in consultation with members and industry players, the Singapore MSC is a locally developed initiative with a new framework that builds on the first MICE Sustainability Certification introduced in 2016.
The GSTC-Recognized status refers to the standard itself, indicating that a sustainable tourism standard has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel and deemed its contents equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. It shows that the brand’s set of standards is based on the four pillars of the GSTC Criteria: Sustainable Management, Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Environmental Impacts.
«Achieving GSTC-Recognized Standard status for the Singapore MICE Sustainability Certification (MSC) Framework is a significant milestone for SACEOS and Singapore’s MICE industry. This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing sustainability in our sector and aligning with global best practices. It reflects the collective efforts of our industry stakeholders in driving meaningful change towards a more sustainable future,» says Richard Ireland, President of SACEOS.
GSTC Recognition of Standards doesn’t relate to the process of certification (which is a third-party assessment through an audit of a tourism enterprise for conformity to a standard) or accreditation (formal verification that a certification body operates in a competent and neutral manner according to international standards of how to properly certify, which is the highest level of assurance).
The stated scope of the standard is MICE Event Organizers and Venues, the geographical coverage is Singapore.
“With the Singapore MICE Sustainability Certification (MSC) Framework, Singapore demonstrates its dedication to a broad and global strategy by aligning with the principles of the Four Pillars of the GSTC Criteria, proving its commitment to a more sustainable future,” says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.
Currently, 74 standards have gained GSTC-Recognized status. The status offers the market proof that these standards adhere to international norms. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to follow and complete the accreditation process, which assures that the certification process used to apply the standard meets international best practices, transparency, and rigor. A list of GSTC-Accredited certification bodies is available here.
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are four sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators, MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions, and Attraction Criteria for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do.
GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. The GSTC is an ISEAL Community Member, a global membership organization for ambitious, collaborative, and transparent sustainability systems.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press
About SACEOS
Set up in 1979, SACEOS (Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers) is the trade association for the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions & Events industry. In all its endeavors, SACEOS aims to advance the MICE & Events community by serving and connecting industry players, driving initiatives that empower businesses, and leading advocacy efforts at both industry and national levels.
SACEOS collaborates closely with government bodies such as the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG), as well as with industry players, universities, and regional and global industry associations, to address key challenges and create new opportunities for the MICE & Events industry.
