The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in partnership with GSTC Member Destination DC, hosted an exclusive Pre-Summit Executive Workshop at Yours Truly DC Hotel, Vignette Collection by IHG, in Washington DC, USA. The workshop opened on Tuesday, March 25, with a warm welcome from Melissa Riley, Senior Vice President of Convention Sales & Services [...]
The 3rd GSTC Academic Symposium will be held in Fiji on August 5th just before the GSTC2025 Global Conference. This one-day, in-person gathering offers a dedicated space for researchers, practitioners and academics to connect and explore key topics in sustainable tourism. The symposium aims to foster dialogue and knowledge-sharing by inviting submissions focused on [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced last year the development of a new criteria set, GSTC Standard for Food & Beverage Service Providers, which has already undergone its first public consultation, which lasted 60 days. In August 2024, the GSTC, in partnership with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), announced its plans [...]
VisitScotland has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Scotland is known for its diverse landscapes and cultural heritage. With its mountain ranges, lochs, and historic sites, the country offers a mix of natural and historical attractions. From castles and ancient landmarks to modern cities, Scotland reflects a blend of [...]
Destination Asia has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Destination Asia is a leading DMC based in Asia, currently operating across nine countries in Asia, with 17 operational offices across the network. With business divisions covering leisure travel, MICE and cruise, Destination Asia states it remains committed to ethical [...]
GSTC renames its global standards from ‘GSTC Criteria’ to ‘GSTC Standards’ to enhance clarity and alignment with international terminology. "Our founders named these standards the ‘GSTC Criteria’ to distinguish them as globally managed standards from other sustainable tourism standards. However, that name led some stakeholders to believe they were something other than standards. Our Board [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by Kobe University, was held with the participation of local and external tourism stakeholders and students from the Graduate School of Intercultural Studies at Kobe University. The course took place from March 18th to 20th, 2025, in Kannabe Kougen, located in Toyooka City, Hyogo, a region [...]
Rosewood Hotel Group has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Rosewood Hotel Group is a leading global lifestyle and hospitality management group. It encompasses four brands: ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotels & Resorts; upper-upscale New World Hotels & Resorts; Asaya, an integrated well-being concept; and Carlyle & Co., a modern and [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that TÜV Rheinland, through its China office, has gained the GSTC-accredited Certification Body status with the scope of certifying hotels/accommodations to GSTC Hotel Criteria with worldwide geographical area.TÜV Rheinland is an international provider of technical services for testing, inspection, certification, consultation, and training. The company [...]
CLIA Cruise Week, including the fourth edition of the European Summit, brought together the cruise industry’s most senior cruise line leaders, policymakers, business partners, and suppliers to discuss the future of the industry. The European Summit has established itself as the platform for the cruise community to share its vision for [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the 14th Annual Meeting of HAPCO & DES, held on March 10-11, 2025, at the Megaron Athens International Conference Center, in Athens, Greece. The event addressed the evolving landscape of the meetings and hospitality industry, emphasizing adaptability and innovation. Discussions included repositioning Greece as a meetings destination, [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has revised the GSTC Accreditation Manual for Certification Bodies - Destination (hereafter, the Destination Accreditation Manual) and was approved on March 26, 2025. The manual is available on the GSTC Accreditation Documents webpage. Given the dynamic nature of the tourism industry, periodic updates and revisions to the certification [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has unveiled a new self-assessment tool designed specifically for destinations seeking to measure and enhance their sustainable tourism practices. The tool offers a simple yet effective way for destination to evaluate their progress across the four pillars of the GSTC Destination Criteria: Sustainable Management: This section encourages destinations [...]
Sustainable travel is no longer just an ethical choice – it’s a business imperative and a rising opportunity in the global tourism industry. In Asia Pacific (APAC), where travel habits are as diverse as the region itself, this opportunity comes with unique challenges and responsibilities. Recent research estimates that the global sustainable tourism market [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the 20th Green & Blue Tourism Forum during ITB Berlin 2025, held from March 4–6. As part of the event, Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Director for the Mediterranean Region, delivered a keynote presentation focused on sustainable coastal and maritime tourism. The session explored strategies for integrating [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that TÜV AUSTRIA TURK has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status with the scope of certifying hotels/accommodations to GSTC Hotel Criteria.TÜV AUSTRIA TURK, part of the TÜV AUSTRIA Group, provides certification, inspection, testing, and training services. Operating in Turkey since 2005 and institutionalized in [...]
The GSTC participated in the MICE Intelligence & Innovation Summit 2025, held on March 4th at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel in Thailand. The Summit focused on the role of sustainability in shaping the future of the meetings and events industry. Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, delivered a keynote on the Vision Stage, titled “Destination [...]
GSTC was present at the IAAPA APAC Sustainability Summit, held on the 13th and 14th of March 2025 in Singapore. The two-day, in-person event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and sustainability advocates. It featured discussions, expert insights, and networking opportunities focused on advancing sustainable practices in the attractions sector. Dr. [...]
The ‘March Lunch and Learn’ event, hosted by the Canmore Hotel & Lodging Association, focused on collaborative efforts to advance regenerative tourism in Canmore and Kananaskis. Located in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, the region is known for its natural landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities. The event provided an opportunity for [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Assessment of the Cook Islands took place between September 2024 and January 2025. The Cook Islands lie between French Polynesia to the east and Tonga to the west, situated about 3,000 kilometers (1,865 miles) northeast of New Zealand. The islands are of volcanic origin, with Rarotonga— the [...]
