Overview GSTC operates as an Accreditation Body for the accreditation of Certification Bodies for sustainable hotels, tour operators, and destinations, striving to comply with the ISEAL Alliance Assurance Code. The Accreditation Manager is responsible for the daily operations of the accreditation service, reporting to the Assurance Director. See the GSTC Accreditation Manager Job Description for full [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) would like to inform a significant change in our cooperation with the Assurance Services International (ASI). Since 2014, GSTC and ASI have been working in close collaboration to implement its accreditation program in sustainable tourism. During this nearly decade-long partnership, the partnership between GSTC and ASI has contributed [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently held a significant workshop and training classes in Tokyo, Japan, from the 27th to the 28th of September 2023, in collaboration with JTB Corp. The GSTC Workshop sponsored by JTB was held the 27th of September at the JTB Corp office in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo. With over 40 participants [...]
"The World Tourism Day is an opportunity to reflect on the many challenges that our sector faces, and on the actions needed to address them. The theme of this year: "Tourism and Green Investments" relates to many aspects of the GSTC mission. By providing tools to destinations and the whole tourism industry to implement [...]
On September 18th 2023, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in collaboration with Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) held a GSTC MICE Criteria Development Workshop in the hotel InterContinental, in Malta. MTA is a GSTC Member since 2011. Kevin Fsadni, Deputy CEO, Malta Tourism Authority, participated in the panel of “Sustainable Coastal Destinations” in the [...]
Value Management Co., Ltd. (VMG) did a GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training for their employees in Osaka, Japan. The three-day training in Japanese was held from the 22nd to the 24th of September 2023. The training was led by GSTC Trainer, Kazuhiro Arai, Representative, Daisetsuzan Nature School who shared his knowledge and expertise with practical [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently held a training event in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from the 4th to the 6th of September, 2023. The training was organized by Greentour project, funded by the European Union's SWITCH-Asia program, implemented by Helvetas Germany. The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training aimed to equip participants with the essential knowledge [...]
Flight Centre Travel Group has joined as a Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council - further cementing its commitment to environmental sustainability across its global business operations and signaling to its industry partners the necessity of lower carbon footprints. “Flight [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the municipality of Kotor and the port of Kotor in Montenegro will cooperate to conduct a destination assessment in the historic port city. Kotor is an important cruise port in the Adriatic region. The city of Kotor, set against a mountainous backdrop, is [...]
Mandai Wildlife Group has joined as a Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Mandai Wildlife Group is the steward of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a wildlife and nature destination in northern Singapore. It is home to a variety of wildlife parks including Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders and Singapore Zoo, connecting [...]
The 2022 ESG Impact Report of Peninsula Papagayo highlights its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, exemplified by the creation of its centralized ESG department. In June 2023, Peninsula Papagayo joined the GSTC. Being the home of 6% of the world's biodiversity, Peninsula Papagayo shows a strong commitment to protecting the territory [...]
The sixth annual Asian sustainability-focused learning event PHIST 2023 (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism) took place in a dynamic in-person setting on Monday, 4th September 2023, at the SAii Laguna Phuket, Thailand, with speakers from across Asia. PHIST6 is an ongoing event collaboration between the Phuket Hotels Association, Greenview and C9 Hotelworks, with [...]
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism) has joined as a Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Tourism is one of the largest industries in L.A. County, generating important tax revenues for public services. A key economic development tool, which sparks investment in hospitality infrastructure and attractions, supports hundreds of [...]
Through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) program, Four Seasons seeks to preserve and regenerate the places in which it operates and leave a positive, enduring impact on its communities. The company’s ESG program is centered around two pillars: Planet (environmental impact) and People (social impact). Each pillar is supported by specific activities and [...]
Traveloka sponsored the GSTC Sustainable Hotel Course in Thai, on the 4th and 5th of September 2023, for Phuket Hotels Association (PHA) Members at the Sainam Meeting Room in SAii Laguna Phuket, Thailand. The training was led by GSTC Trainer Pornpol Noithammaraj, who shared their expertise with practical examples and valuable insights. This course [...]
GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) welcomes Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as a member to the Council. The GSTC is an independent and neutral organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO’s, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced last April the development of new criteria sets, GSTC MICE Criteria and GSTC Attraction Criteria, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board STB. The GSTC MICE Criteria (covering Venues, Event Organizers, and Events/Exhibitions) and GSTC Attraction Criteria, aim to serve as the global sustainability standards for both industries. [...]
ITB Asia is being held at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, on the 25- 27 of October 2023. This annually held B2B trade show and convention for the travel industry, is organized by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau. ITB Asia is co-located with MICE Show Asia [...]
In the ashes of the pandemic, sustainable tourism has emerged as the next frontier of travel. A sea of change catalyzed by border restrictions saw hitherto overcrowded destinations rejuvenated by the absence of human traffic. People have taken notice and are keen to play their part—in essence, being responsible. A recent American Express Travel [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) is pleased to announce that the Qualmark Sustainable Tourism Business Criteria (v1.2 July 2023) has gained GSTC-Recognized status, meaning it has been fully recognized as equivalent to the GSTC Industry Criteria. Qualmark is the first GSTC-Recognized Standard developed in New Zealand that aims to help tourism businesses become [...]
