Sentosa Development Corporation has joined as a Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), paving the way for the island destination to achieve certification as a sustainable destination.
Sentosa is Singapore’s premier island resort getaway, home to an exciting array of themed attractions, award-winning spa retreats, lush rainforests, golden sandy beaches, resort accommodations, world-renowned golf courses, a deep-water yachting marina and residences. The 500-hectare island is managed by Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), a statutory board under Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.
SDC and diverse business establishments in Sentosa have committed to major goals in the next phase of the Sustainable Sentosa strategic roadmap, supporting the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to build a sustainable Singapore and safeguard a greener world for future generations of Singaporeans and global visitors. The GSTC membership paves the way for Sentosa’s journey towards achieving certification as a sustainable destination.
Sentosa’s Sustainability Roadmap
The Sustainable Sentosa strategic roadmap builds on the island’s past sustainability efforts and unique value proposition. Under the roadmap, the Sentosa community will focus on six key areas to meet the island’s dual goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and becoming a globally recognised, certified sustainable tourism destination.
In line with Sentosa’s sustainability goals, guests and businesses will see the launch of various sustainability-focused initiatives and experiences, creating an important ecosystem for solutions, education, and ideas in the nation’s sustainability journey. The initiatives include:
Goal 1: Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030
- Launch of Singapore’s first carbon neutrality-focused business alliance, the Sentosa Carbon Neutral Network, in tandem with the broadening of SDC’s sustainability partnerships
- Harnessing renewable energy by implementing new infrastructure solutions, including solar panels, tidal turbines and waste-to-energy systems, on and around Sentosa
- Greening Sentosa’s transportation and infrastructure, through the electrification of all on-island public transportation by 2025, introducing electric vehicle charging at all SDC-owned carparks by 2030, and having all new SDC-owned buildings constructed in line with Singapore’s most energy-efficient green building guidelines
Goal 2: Become a Globally Recognised, Certified Sustainable Tourism Destination
- Robust sustainable tourism offerings, such as new sustainability-themed tours
- Greening businesses and guest experiences, such as offering green options for MICE and wedding packages by 2022
- Achieving certification through a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body by 2022, among other global accolades
“We are honoured to be a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Our membership in this international community is in line with SDC’s long-term ambition and commitment to building a sustainable future and becoming a globally recognised sustainable tourism destination. GSTC membership is a key step towards certification, and we look forward to working together with our island’s businesses and stakeholders to achieve this milestone. Collectively, we will ensure that Sentosa remains an enjoyable, attractive and sustainable leisure destination,” says Dr. Richie Lee, Director of Sustainability, Sentosa Development Corporation.
GSTC Welcomes Sentosa
“Sentosa’s sustainable steps can inspire other small and urbanised destinations. Sentosa Development Corporation shows a desirable management body role by working closely with and engaging tourism businesses under the long-term vision and roadmap of practical action to be a more sustainable destination,” says Dr. Mihee Kang, Asia-Pacific Regional Director of GSTC. “The GSTC supports Sentosa’s ambitious goal of being certified as a sustainable tourism destination and we hope the story of Sentosa’s efforts and achievements leads many Asian destinations’ aggressively moving forward to sustainability.”
“We warmly welcome SDC as a GSTC member, which facilitates their holistic approach in their journey to greater forms of sustainable development and practices,” adds Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.
GSTC encourages destinations pursuing sustainability practices in the development and management of tourism, to join as GSTC members and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria, which eventually can help achieve certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
