Criteria Development & Revisions History

The GSTC Criteria is developed based on GSTC Standard Setting Manual v3.0, which is intended to comply with the ISEAL Alliance standard-setting code. The GSTC Criteria is being revised every few years. The revision process includes two public consultations, allowing anyone interested to comment.

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. The MICE Criteria Development Process Summary Report. The feasibility assessment participated organizations The key findings of the 1st public consultation are available here. Announcement – GSTC to develop new Criteria GSTC MICE Criteria Terms of Reference	Released on 28 February 2024
GSTC Destination Criteria	N/A	The second version of the GSTC Destination Criteria GSTC Destination Criteria Revision Term of Reference	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