Latest GSTC News and Updates

6 10, 2024

GSTC was present at India’s Sustainability Conclave

2024-10-12T18:00:34+08:00October 6th, 2024|

The half-day Sustainability Conclave for the hotel industry successfully held on the 4th of October 2024 in India, brought together key players from the hospitality sector to raise awareness and foster the adoption of the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, as envisioned by the Government of India. Held with the mission to address pressing [...]

4 10, 2024

Forte Hotels joins GSTC

2024-10-04T17:19:23+08:00October 4th, 2024|

Forte Hotels has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Forte is a privately held company that has provided hotel management services since 2004, currently operating seven properties across Taiwan. The company manages four distinct brands - Forte Hotels, Yamagata Kaku, and Orange Hotels - ranging from four-star to one-star [...]

4 10, 2024

GSTC MICE Criteria – Now Available in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian

2024-10-04T16:34:41+08:00October 4th, 2024|

The GSTC MICE Criteria for venues, event organizers, and events & exhibitions have now been translated into Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BCS) and are available for download in the Criteria Translations section. GSTC MICE kriteriji za mjesta održavanja, organizatore događaja, te događaje i izložbe sada su prevedeni na bosanski/hrvatski/srpski (BHS) i dostupni su za preuzimanje u odjeljku za [...]

3 10, 2024

GSTC MICE Criteria – Now Available in Turkish

2024-10-03T18:19:06+08:00October 3rd, 2024|

The GSTC MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions have now been translated into Turkish and are available to download in the Criteria Translations section. GSTC MICE Kriterleri (Etkinlik Yapılan Yerler, Organizatörler ve Etkinlik & Sergiler için) Türkçeye çevrilmiştir ve Kriter Çevirileri bölümünden indirilebilir.  

2 10, 2024

GSTC was present at SeatradeCruiseMed event in Málaga, Spain

2024-10-16T19:25:41+08:00October 2nd, 2024|

SeatradeCruiseMed was held on the 11th and 12th of September, 2024 at the Trade Fairs and Congress Center of Málaga, Spain with the support of MedCruise, The Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports. The event brought together industry leaders and experts to discuss the latest trends and strategies in the Mediterranean cruise market. Dr. Ioannis [...]

30 09, 2024

Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, Selected to be included in The Independent’s Climate 100 List

2024-09-30T15:26:04+08:00September 30th, 2024|

The Independent's Climate 100 List is a prestigious recognition of the extraordinary individuals at the forefront of the global fight against climate change, showcasing unparalleled innovation, unwavering commitment, and transformative leadership that inspire a more sustainable future for all.  GSTC CEO Randy Durband is present on the list and was invited to attend The [...]

28 09, 2024

Apostolos Tzitzikostas Appointed as EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism

2024-10-09T21:25:08+08:00September 28th, 2024|

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was elected for a second mandate, presented to the European Parliament her Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029.  She appointed Apostolos Tzitzikostas as the new EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. The announcement was made on September 17, 2024, marking a milestone for [...]

27 09, 2024

Keio Plaza Hotels is joining GSTC

2024-09-27T16:57:35+08:00September 27th, 2024|

Keio Plaza Hotels is joining as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The Keio Plaza Hotels operates a series of luxury hotels, with its flagship location in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The chain emphasizes hospitality, offering a wide range of services, including high-end dining, meeting spaces, and cultural experiences like kimono dressings and [...]

27 09, 2024

Randy Durband, GSTC CEO in Transformational Travel Programme

2024-09-27T16:01:40+08:00September 27th, 2024|

From reducing carbon footprint to seeking more meaningful and impactful personal and societal experiences, ITB’s Transformational Travel programme highlights the importance of this conscious evolution in future-proofing travel and tourism. The program explores the technological and innovative advances revolutionizing the sector and showcases tourism boards prioritizing sustainable and responsible tourism. GSTC CEO, Randy Durband [...]

26 09, 2024

Singapore’s Hotel Sustainability Roadmap

2024-09-26T17:48:16+08:00September 26th, 2024|

In 2022, the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) and GSTC Member Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced the launch of its Hotel Sustainability Roadmap, which outlines hotels’ journey towards sustainability. Aligned with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, the roadmap outlines specific goals and strategies for hotels to integrate sustainability into their operations. This allows the industry [...]

25 09, 2024

Klook joins GSTC

2024-09-25T17:19:52+08:00September 25th, 2024|

Klook has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a member. Klook is Asia’s leading platform for experiences and travel services that allows travelers to discover and book quality experiences ranging from attractions and tours to local transport and experiential stays around the world.  With more than 1,800 employees across over 30 locations [...]

24 09, 2024

GSTC High-Level Workshop sponsored by EU concluded successfully in Zanzibar

2024-09-24T18:04:58+08:00September 24th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) High-Level Workshop successfully concluded on the 28th of August, 2024, in Zanzibar. The event sponsored by the European Union (EU) and done in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage of Zanzibar, brought together over 50 participants from different ministries. The workshop was officially opened by Engineer [...]

23 09, 2024

TRB is now GSTC-Accredited

2024-09-23T22:51:42+08:00September 23rd, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that TRB has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status.  TRB International Certification Company offers GSTC Hotel/Accommodation Certification services within Turkiye. Established in 2004, with its headquarters in Çankaya/Ankara, TRB provides services for various industries, ensuring compliance with international standards, such as ISO certifications, focusing [...]

23 09, 2024

Mandarin Oriental New York Becomes First Hotel in North America to Achieve GSTC Certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body

2024-09-23T21:22:54+08:00September 23rd, 2024|

Mandarin Oriental New York is the 1st hotel in North America to obtain GSTC Certification by UCSL United Certification Systems Limited, a GSTC-Accredited certification body. The GSTC Certification is based on the global standard for sustainable tourism, the GSTC Hotel Criteria.  “We congratulate Mandarin Oriental New York on achieving accredited certification, the highest level [...]

21 09, 2024

Yuluca Alliance, a GSTC initiative: Moving forward Sustainable Tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean

2024-09-23T20:54:54+08:00September 21st, 2024|

The Yuluca Alliance has been officially launched following the successful First GSTC Latin American and Caribbean Summit, which took place in Santa Marta, Colombia, last May 2024. This initiative, encouraged by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), is a collaborative effort of the nations that participated in the summit, united under the shared vision [...]

20 09, 2024

Incentives for Tour Operators in Uttar Pradesh, India: 50% reimbursement of certification fees by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies

2024-09-20T15:29:15+08:00September 20th, 2024|

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. [...]

18 09, 2024

Statement from GSTC regarding the Travalyst Accommodations Program

2024-09-19T15:39:25+08:00September 18th, 2024|

Many GSTC members and stakeholders seek GSTC’s views on Travalyst’s recent publication of their “certification”-based accommodations initiative. They appreciate that in 2016 GSTC launched the first and still-only tourism-based accreditation service for placing marks on certification bodies that provide solid evidence of competence, rigor, and impartiality. This statement is provided in response to that interest [...]

18 09, 2024

Destination Stewardship Report – Volume 5, Issue 1

2024-09-18T00:14:49+08:00September 18th, 2024|

Destination Stewardship Report May - August 2024 (Volume 5, Issue 1) The Destination Stewardship Report is a collaboration between the Destination Stewardship Center, Center for Responsible Travel, and Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Our goal is to provide practical information and insights useful to anyone whose work or interests involve improving destination stewardship in a post-pandemic [...]

17 09, 2024

Successful GSTC Hotel Sustainability Training in partnership with Agoda & USAID Empowers Industry Professionals in Cebu, Philippines

2024-09-17T16:42:37+08:00September 17th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) Hotel Sustainability Training for Industry Professionals, organized in partnership with Agoda and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), successfully concluded on the 6th of September 2024. This two-day training held in Cebu, Philippines, aimed to equip hoteliers with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement sustainable tourism [...]

13 09, 2024

GSTC was present at Hotelga 2024 held in Buenos Aires, Argentina

2024-09-13T19:29:52+08:00September 13th, 2024|

Hotelga, an event for Latin America's hospitality and gastronomy industries organized by Fehgra (The Argentine Hotel and Gastronomy Business Federation), AHT (The Argentine Hotel and Tourism Association), and Messe Frankfurt Argentina, took place from August 28 to 30, 2024, at La Rural Trade Center in Buenos Aires. The event brought together professionals, entrepreneurs, and [...]

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