Tourism public policy-makers and destination managers wish to include effective and credible sustainable tourism policies in their strategic plans. The GSTC offers support to public sector authorities in the development of broadly-applied policies and institutional structures that ensure sustainability in tourism and destination management is systematized, coherent, put into practice, measured, and monitored.

Adhere to the GSTC Destination Criteria

Public sector tourism policy-makers and destination managers throughout the world turn to the GSTC Destination Criteria for guidance in developing policy, raising awareness and conducting training, and for use as a framework for national or localized sustainability standards. GSTC urges policy-makers and destination managers to pledge to adhere to the GSTC Destination Criteria.

For Tourism Policy-Makers

Ensure that your national, provincial, or municipal tourism policies include all elements of sustainable tourism by learning and applying the GSTC Criteria and framework. Develop plans for policy-makers and destination managers to increase awareness of the issues, effectiveness, and confidence in their strategic direction for sustainable tourism.

GSTC can assist in working towards harmonization of standards already available or planned for national and local governments. Confusion in both the private and public sectors can be reduced by learning how to apply various types of standards and certification schemes in a systematic manner.

For Destination Managers

The first steps include raising awareness of sustainable tourism concepts by key leaders and stakeholders, and of the current situation at your destination. We recommend training and conducting some form of evaluation or assessment of the destination’s current practices.

To manage for continuous improvement we strongly recommend compliance to Criterion A1 of the GSTC Destination Criteria, the creation of a multi-sector group that ensures sustainability is inherent in all practices of the public and private sectors at the destination.

GSTC Destination Assessments are conducted by GSTC’s own internal expert assessors. A GSTC Destination Assessment is made of how well your policies and practices adhere to the GSTC Destination Criteria, a useful tool for understanding how sustainable are your current practices and learning where to improve and where to maintain good practice. GSTC Assessors utilize the GSTC Destination Criteria.

GSTC Accredited Certification Bodies can also conduct assessments based on their GSTC-Recognized standards. Destinations that are considering sustainable certification in the future may wish to engage directly with one of those organizations.

Join a Training on the GSTC Criteria

The GSTC offers Sustainable Destination Management Training by GSTC authorized trainers. GSTC Training sessions can be customized for destination managers (usually 2-3 days). Staff training on the GSTC Criteria is available from the GSTC with frequent online classes and by special arrangement for on-site training sessions.

Become Certified

Being a Certified Destination means that your destination complies with the highest social and environmental standards on the market. As public concern grows about the harmful effects and the positive impacts of travel and tourism, Certification provides you a credible solution to complex environmental and social issues.

Join GSTC as a Member

Getting Started

Case Studies and Examples

Certified Destination Map