Criteria Development & Revisions History
The GSTC Criteria are the result of a worldwide effort to develop a common language about sustainability in tourism. The GSTC Criteria are developed based on GSTC Standard Setting Manual v3.0, which is intended to comply with ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Sustainability Systems. The GSTC Criteria is being revised every few years. The revision process includes two public consultations, allowing anyone interested to comment.
In 2008, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) released the first version of its GSTC Industry Criteria after a 15-month consultation with sustainability experts and the tourism industry. They reviewed over 60 certification systems and analyzed more than 4,500 criteria, inviting feedback from over 80,000 stakeholders.
In November 2013, GSTC released the GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D), establishing global standards for tourism destination management. The GSTC released the third version of its Industry Criteria (GSTC-I) in December 2016. In December 2019, the second version of the Destination Criteria (GSTC-Dv2) was launched, including performance indicators aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In March 2024, the third set of criteria was launched, the GSTC MICE Criteria (for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions) aim to serve as the global sustainability standards for the industry and were created to provide a common understanding of sustainable tourism in the MICE industry throughout the world.
The GSTC announced on April 2023 the development of the GSTC Attraction Criteria, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) which is in the last stages of development. This fourth new set of criteria was launched in November 2024 for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks.
The GSTC with support from the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), is further developing the GSTC Criteria, with a new set for tourism food service providers (official name to be determined during the development process). This new set of GSTC Criteria will serve as the industry’s global sustainability standards for tourism-related food service providers.
| Criteria Name | Sub-group Name (if any) | Related Information and Links | First Release / Latest Revision, Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSTC MICE Criteria | Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions | GSTC MICE Criteria was published in February 2024.
| Released on 28 February 2024 |
| GSTC Destination Criteria | N/A | The second version of the GSTC Destination Criteria | Revised on 6 December 2019 |
| GSTC Destination Criteria | N/A | The first version of GSTC Criteria for Destinations (GSTC-D) GSTC-D serves as the world’s baseline standards for tourism destination management and as a framework for national or regional sustainability standards. | Released on 10 December 2013 (The Criteria alone was released on 1 November 2013) |
| GSTC Industry Criteria | Hotels, and Tour Operators | The third version of GSTC Industry Criteria (former GSTC-H&TO) The Revision Report** GSTC Industry Criteria Revision Terms of Reference** The main changes made from the GSTC-H&TOv2 to the Industry Criteria. *** In 2021, a review of the need for revision concluded that it was not necessary. | Revised on 21 December 2016 |
| GSTC Criteria (GSTC-H&TO) | Hotels, and Tour Operators | The second version (GSTC-H&TOv2) with indicators. | Revised on 10 December 2013 (The Criteria alone was released on 23 February 2012) |
| GSTC Criteria (GSTC-H&TO) | Hotels, and Tour Operators | The first version (GSTC-H&TOv1) | Released on October 6, 2008 |