In a bid to promote sustainable tourism, the Uttar Pradesh government in India has introduced specific incentives for responsible tourism businesses under its Tourism Policy 2022-2032.
Among the key benefits is a 50% reimbursement of certification fees established for tour operators for obtaining GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification through a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body. Tour Operators in the region can benefit from this initiative and will have up to Rs 5 lakh reimbursed.
Accredited means that a Certification Body (CB) has been verified through a rigorous external review from an accreditation body whereby the GSTC provides assurance that the CB awards certification to businesses according to processes that comply with international standards and good practices.
Businesses certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, meeting all the GSTC Criteria (or a GSTC-Recognized Standard), have the highest level of assurance* and credibility available. With an accredited certification, customers and buyers are assured that the business was certified in a credibly verified procedure in a transparent, impartial, and competent manner.
By achieving GSTC certification, tour operators in Uttar Pradesh can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices and benefit from the incentives offered by the government.
GSTC has a dedicated India Working Group who have:
- Expanded the GSTC India Working Group in March 2024.
- Initiated discussion with the State Tourism Departments in India regarding GSTC in Tourism Policies.
- Engaged with industry stakeholders while providing three training programs that took place in Goa, Jaipur and Kathmandu.
- Planned to conduct a series of the GSTC Sustainable Hospitality Course that can be offered in India.
- Continue to be engaged with the Outlook Responsible Tourism Awards.
More info on GSTC in India can be found here.
Tour Operators that want to demonstrate through their adherence to sustainability standards are encouraged to seek sustainable tour operator certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
Hotels that follow sustainability standards that wish to stand out with reputable certification as a sustainable hotel, should seek sustainable hotel certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
Destinations that are managed in accordance with sustainability standards can aim for destination certification by one of the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
*Note of General assurance levels:
3rd-party certification by an Accredited Certification Body (impartiality is certain)
3rd-party verification (impartiality is not certain)
2nd-party verification (not impartial)
1st-party self-assessment
No verification at all
