In the ashes of the pandemic, sustainable tourism has emerged as the next frontier of travel. A sea of change catalyzed by border restrictions saw hitherto overcrowded destinations rejuvenated by the absence of human traffic. People have taken notice and are keen to play their part—in essence, being responsible. A recent American Express Travel [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) is pleased to announce that the Qualmark Sustainable Tourism Business Criteria (v1.2 July 2023) has gained GSTC-Recognized status, meaning it has been fully recognized as equivalent to the GSTC Industry Criteria. Qualmark is the first GSTC-Recognized Standard developed in New Zealand that aims to help tourism businesses become [...]
Every year, billions of people travel for family visits, vacation, and business, making travel and tourism one of the largest industries in the world. Representing a whopping 10% of the global economy, it supplies millions of jobs, benefits countless communities, and is the largest source of revenue that helps finance the world's 202,000 protected [...]
The GSTC Board of Directors plays an integral role in the leadership of the organization. Most seats on the board are filled via annual elections of and by current members of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The GSTC Election Committee has validated the votes and released the results of the 2023 election. Three board [...]
Join the first in-person official GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course in Padova, Italy, in collaboration with Etifor, organized by the GSTC Italy Working Group. The training will be held in English on the 24th and 25th of September. The course is a great opportunity to get to know fellow colleagues and sustainability practitioners, enrich your [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently held a significant training event in Moldova from the 15th to the 17th of August, 2023. The National Inbound and Domestic Tourism Association of Moldova (ANTRIM) and Chemonics International organized the courses in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training aimed to equip participants with [...]
The Finance Minister of Vanuatu, Mr. John Salong, inaugurated the two-day GSTC training on Sustainable Tourism, on the 7th of August 2023 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. From left to right: Jerry Spooner, Regenerative Vanua’s Executive Director, Vanuatu’s Finance Minister Mr. John Salong and GSTC’s Vice Chair CB Ramkumar. The training was organized [...]
Destination Stewardship Report Summer 2023 May-August (Volume 4, 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 world. [...]
We are looking for an enthusiastic intern to join our Communications Team. They will be providing support to our Communications Manager with Social Media content and creation, design, translations, and video. Fluency in both Spanish and English is a must. The internship is available from September 2023, with a minimum duration of three months. [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB) has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status. The Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB), a non-profit parastatal body in the island of Mauritius, has embarked on a project to provide third-party certification to tourism businesses with the aim of boosting the [...]
The Sustainability Highlights Report 2022 exposes Ascott's efforts to amplify its positive impact through its sustainability program Ascott CARES. Ascott CARES aligns the company’s growth strategy with environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations. CARES stands for Community (C), Alliance (A), Respect (R), Environment (E), and Supply chain (S). In 2022, Ascott became a member [...]
Last week, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)’s Vice Chair CB Ramkumar attended the Pacific Agritourism and Food Tourism Validation Meeting facilitated by GSTC Member Regenerative Vanua and the Global Agritourism Network Pacific Committee. The Prime Minister of Vanuatu attended the signing of a Commitment Declaration to support the rollout of Regenerative Vanua’s Regenerative Agritourism program and standards throughout [...]
Photo: Dr. Mihee Kang, Assurance Director of GSTC, in the GSTC Auditor training in Antalya, Tükiye, during the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2023. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has revised the GSTC Accreditation Manual for Certification of Hotel/Accommodation & Tour Operator, and version 3.0 was approved on 12 July 2023. The [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that RoyalCert has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status. RoyalCert is an International certification body with HeadQuarters in Germany and operating in +40 countries globally. RoyalCert offers inspection, training, assessment and certification services to a wide range of industries, including the Tourism Industry, and [...]
The first GSTC Accessible and Inclusive Travel Online Course was conducted from July 3rd to July 9th, 2023, and successfully concluded after three live sessions of talks, lessons, discussions, ideas, examples, and tips on accessibility and inclusion. The trainer was Martin Heng, former Lonely Planet's Accessible Travel Manager and Editorial Adviser. Chris Veitch, an [...]
The European Commission has put forward a new package of measures to build on and strengthen the foundations of the EU sustainable finance framework. The transition to a climate-neutral and sustainable economy by 2050 offers new opportunities for companies and citizens across the EU. Many companies and investors have embarked on their sustainability journey, [...]
The first GSTC Applied DEI in Travel Course was conducted from June 6th to June 29, 2023, and successfully concluded after four weeks. The online course created in partnership with Travel Unity, gave participants an opportunity to learn about best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and have meaningful dialogues with colleagues from [...]
Ms Beh Siew Kim, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer, Lodging, CapitaLand Investment and Mr Randy Durband, GSTC CEO. The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), whom manages the GSTC Criteria and provides international accreditation for sustainable tourism Certification Bodies, [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), committed to elevating sustainable tourism worldwide, attended on July 6th, 2023, the event held in Costa Rica that was led by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) for Costa Rican tourism companies that are certified under the ICT's Sustainable Tourism Certification (CST). The Costa Rican Tourism Board joined [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) is pleased to announce that the Miosotis Azores Standard has gained GSTC-Recognized status, meaning it has been fully recognized as equivalent to the GSTC Industry Criteria. The Miosotis Azores Standard aims to promote the preservation and economic enhancement of cultural and natural heritage, based on the balance between [...]
