Sustainable tourism in Italy continues to progress through the combined efforts of many actors, including the coordinated initiatives of the GSTC Italy Working Group (IWG). Established in 2022, the IWG brings together a diverse network of public and private organizations committed to advancing sustainability in the tourism sector. With strategic coordination and shared goals, the group plays a vital role in fostering collaboration and embedding the GSTC Standards across the country.
Last year, nine destinations joined the list of more than 20 Certified Sustainable Destinations in Italy. The largest number so far in a single country. See GSTC’s worldwide map here of Certified Sustainable Destinations. This milestone reflects Italy’s commitment to responsible tourism and destination stewardship. It also demonstrates how the GSTC Standards support destinations in strengthening local communities, preserving cultural heritage, protecting natural resources, and ensuring long-term, thoughtful management of tourism. From the Alps to the Mediterranean coast, destinations across the country are embracing sustainability as a core value, integrating it into their tourism strategies. This momentum demonstrates how sustainability is becoming a defining feature of Italy’s tourism identity, inspiring other countries to take similar steps.
As a further step in reinforcing this momentum, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was recently signed between the GSTC and the Associazione Italy Working Group (legal entity representing the Working Group) to formalize a shared commitment to promoting sustainable tourism in Italy and supporting the implementation of the GSTC Standards nationwide.
“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step in strengthening our shared stewardship of tourism in Italy. It reflects how collaboration under the GSTC Standards can guide destinations, hotels and tourism organizations toward a more sustainable future. By sharing best practices and working together to find new approaches, we have brought together destination and hotel managers to play an active role in driving change and in promoting and developing their activities. The Forum, organized every year on September 27, has become a key reference point for the Italian sustainable tourism movement and an opportunity to share practices on the GSTC Standards,” said Stefano Ravelli, GSTC Italy Working Group Chair.
“The GSTC Italy Working Group has been highly active and genuinely fruitful since its inception, aligning destinations and businesses around the GSTC Standards and turning collaboration into concrete outcomes, from capacity-building and shared tools to supporting many on the path towards GSTC Certification,” said Roi Ariel, GSTC General Manager.
* The term “GSTC Certification” is a shorthand for “Certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited.”
