GSTC Attraction Standard

The GSTC Attraction Standard (known previously as GSTC Attraction Criteria) aims to establish global sustainability standards for attractions, guiding businesses such as theme parks, museums, and national parks toward sustainable practices. The GSTC Attraction Standard are the minimum that any attraction business should aspire to reach. They are organized around four main themes: effective sustainability planning, maximizing social and economic benefits for the local community, enhancing cultural heritage, and reducing negative impacts on the environment. They have applicability to the entire attraction industry.

The GSTC Attraction Standard has been developed for the attractions sector, including national parks and businesses like theme parks, museums, and other similar entities. The development process was a 14-month-long journey from September 2023 to November 2024, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

Some of the uses of the standard include the following:

• Help define sustainability in a holistic manner
• Raise awareness of the breadth and nature of sustainability
• Serve as the basis for certification for sustainability
• Serve as basic guidelines for Attraction businesses to become more sustainable which includes guidance for identifying more sustainable suppliers and service providers
• Provide greater market access in the growing market for sustainable businesses, serving as guidance for the Attraction businesses in choosing suppliers and partners
• Help consumers identify sound sustainable Attraction businesses
• Serve as a common denominator for information media to recognize sustainable Attraction businesses
• Offer both the public and private sectors a starting point for developing sustainable Attraction business requirements
• Serve as basic guidelines for education and training on sustainable Attraction by universities, hospitality schools, or associations
• Demonstrate leadership that inspires others to act

The GSTC Attraction Standard indicates what should be done, not how to do it or whether the goal has been achieved. This role is fulfilled by performance indicators, associated educational materials, and access to tools for implementation, all of which are an indispensable complement to the GSTC Standard. A report on the revisions from the first public consultation and second public consultation will soon be published.

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GSTC Industry Standard

The GSTC Industry Standard, for the Tourism Industry, including performance indicators for hotels and tour operators.
GSTC Industry Standard

GSTC Destination Standard

The GSTC Destination Standard, relates to sustainable management of Tourism Destinations.
GSTC Destination Standard

GSTC MICE Standard

The GSTC MICE Standard, for Venues, Event Organizers and Event & Exhibitions.
GSTC MICE Standard

GSTC Standard Translations

The GSTC Standards are used for a variety of applications (education and awareness-raising, policy-making for businesses and government agencies and other organization types, measurement and evaluation, and as a basis for certification). Therefore, the GSTC Standards have been translated into many languages, available to the public to download on the GSTC website:

Translations of the GSTC Standards in other languages

Future Revisions of the GSTC Standards

The GSTC Standards are being revised every few years, in a manner to comply with the ISEAL Alliance standard-setting code. The revision process includes two public consultations, allowing anyone interested to comment.

More details on the GSTC Standards Revision & Feedback

Commercial use of the GSTC Standards

The GSTC Standards are available from the GSTC website free of charge for their non-commercial use. As the owner of the GSTC Standards, the GSTC reserves the right to assess and charge fees for the commercial use of the GSTC Standards.