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Pomorskie Tourist Board has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
Poland is a Central European country with a rich cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes bordered by seven countries. It stretches from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Tatra Mountains in the south, offering a variety of environments that include forests, lakes, plains, and mountain ranges. Among Poland’s many heritage sites, four cities —Warsaw, Kraków, Toruń, and Zamość —are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for their historical and architectural significance.
Located in Gdańsk, the Pomorskie Tourist Board is a Polish association responsible for regional tourism marketing and promotion. By promoting Pomorskie as part of Poland’s diverse tourism offer, the Board contributes to positioning the region as a destination that combines cultural heritage and distinctive landscapes.
Sustainability Commitment
Poland’s main sustainability plan is the 2030 National Environmental Policy (PEP2030), a strategic document for environmental and water management that aligns with EU and UN goals. The role of PEP2030 is to ensure Poland’s ecological safety and high quality of life for all residents.
Poland’s climate policy is governed at the national level by the climate and environment ministry. The ministry is responsible for adaptation to climate change and implementing various programmes in sectors such as electromobility, energy, and buildings. The National Centre for Emissions Management (KOBiZE), supervised by the ministry, runs a national database on GHG emissions and implements relevant commitments resulting from EU law.
Poland has been holding the presidency of the EU since January 1st, 2025, with urban development and the transition to more sustainable cities as one of its key thematic priorities. Poland aims to foster closer cooperation between European cities to develop innovative solutions for sustainable urban growth.
Located on the Baltic coast, Gdańsk – the capital of the Pomorskie region – positions itself as one of Poland’s leading destinations for sustainable urban development and tourism. The city has been part of the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index since 2023 and continues to make steady progress. In the 2025 edition, Gdańsk achieved an overall score of 53%, advancing by 16 positions compared to the previous year. The city performed particularly well in the environmental category, reaching around 70%, which reflects the ongoing commitment of the City of Gdańsk, the Gdańsk Tourism Organisation (GOT), and local partners to strengthen sustainable mobility, green infrastructure, responsible event management, and cultural inclusion. Gdańsk’s commitment to sustainability demonstrates how Pomorskie Region is contributing to the broader national and European goals of achieving a greener and more resilient tourism sector.
The Pomorskie region also features the Pomorskie Prestige initiative, developed by the Pomorskie Tourist Board together with local governments and businesses. The platform promotes authentic, high-quality experiences that reflect the region’s character – from exceptional gastronomy and local craftsmanship to nature-based relaxation and wellness. It showcases Pomorskie’s finest places, products, and people, encouraging visitors to discover its distinctive culture, stay longer, and experience the region in a meaningful way. (https://pomorskie-prestige.eu)
“Becoming a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council is a milestone for the Pomorskie region and a natural continuation of our commitment to responsible tourism development. Pomorskie is a region where the sea, culture, and nature coexist in harmony, and where sustainability is becoming a shared value among local communities, businesses, and visitors. Through this membership, we want to strengthen our collaboration with global partners and further integrate international sustainability principles into our regional tourism strategy.” Said Marta Chełkowska, CEO of the Pomorskie Tourist Board.
Magda Leszczyna-Rzucidło, Director of International Cooperation, Pomorskie Tourist Board, stated: “Joining GSTC aligns perfectly with our broader mission as the Coordinator of Policy Area Tourism within the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. It reinforces our responsibility to lead by example and to promote sustainable tourism practices not only in Pomorskie but across the wider Baltic region. This membership enables us to connect regional experiences with global standards, exchange knowledge with destinations worldwide, and contribute to shaping a more sustainable and resilient tourism ecosystem for our shared region.”
GSTC Welcomes Pomorskie Tourist Board
“We extend a warm welcome to the Pomorskie Tourist Board as a new member of GSTC and value their commitment in supporting our mission. We wish them every success on their journey towards sustainability,” says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.
About the Pomorskie Tourist Board
It is a Polish association responsible for regional marketing. Located in Gdansk, it aims to strengthen the image, raise the attractiveness of the Pomorskie region, and develop cooperation between domestic and international tourist institutions. Pomorskie Tourist Board was registered in November 2003. The organization includes local governments, businesses, the chamber of commerce, local tourist organizations, associations, and universities.
Its primary duties include organizing tourism exhibitions, study tours and press tours, B2B events, for Polish and foreign partners, marketing actions, PR& communication. The organisation also supports responsible tourism development through education and international cooperation. Since 2022, PROT has also served as the Coordinator of Policy Area Tourism within the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), working to strengthen sustainable tourism policies and partnerships across the Baltic region.
More information here: www.prot.gda.pl and https://pomorskie.travel/en/
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, the GSTC Standards, also known as the GSTC Criteria. The GSTC Destination Standard for public policy-makers and destination managers, GSTC Hotel Standard & GSTC Tour Operator Standard, GSTC MICE Standard for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions, and the GSTC Attraction Standard for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Standards form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services but provides accreditation to those that do.
GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. The GSTC is an ISEAL Community Member, a global membership organization for ambitious, collaborative, and transparent sustainability systems, as well as an Association Member of The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and an Associate Member with the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC).
Information for media and the press: www.gstc.org/about/for-the-press/
Statements expressed in this announcement are presented for informational purposes only and should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by GSTC, unless clearly stated.
Photos © Pomorskie Tourist Board
