GSTC Auditor Training and Qualification

Role of Auditor Training Within GSTC

GSTC Auditor Training is a core component of the GSTC Assurance and Capacity-building framework and serves as an essential mechanism for maintaining the credibility and consistent application of the GSTC Standards worldwide. It plays a key role in strengthening the competence of professionals responsible for auditing against the GSTC Standards.

The training is open to the public and does not require formal prerequisites. However, its primary purpose is to prepare auditors to conduct audits in accordance with the GSTC Standards and in alignment with internationally acknowledged auditing principles. The program is designed to build practical auditing knowledge specific to sustainable tourism certification processes.

What to expect?

Through structured learning modules, case studies, Indicator-level analysis, interactive discussions, and practical audit simulations, participants gain a clear understanding of audit methodology, evidence collection, conformity assessment, and key audit risks. The training emphasizes consistency, impartiality, and rigor in the evaluation of sustainability practices.

In addition to preparing auditors, GSTC Auditor Training supports broader professional development for tourism professionals, certification body personnel, consultants, and destination managers seeking deeper technical familiarity with the GSTC Standards and their application.

By strengthening auditor competence and promoting a shared understanding of the GSTC Standards, the training contributes to safeguarding the integrity, reliability, and global awareness of GSTC Certification*.

*Note: The term “GSTC Certification” is a shorthand for “Certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-accredited.”

Additional information

Certification Bodies seeking GSTC Accreditation must adhere to the GSTC Accreditation Manual, which mandates specific knowledge of GSTC Standards and sustainable tourism practices for auditors and decision-makers.

To make sure auditors and certification decision-makers have the necessary knowledge, GSTC requires them to attend the GSTC Auditor Training and pass the comprehensive evaluation, which will assess the auditor’s competence in auditing against GSTC Standards.

Important Note: There are other requirements in addition to completing this training in order to conduct audits for the GSTC Certification. For further details, please refer to the latest GSTC Accreditation Manual.

Training Schedule

IMPORTANT: this refers to specialized GSTC auditor training and NOT the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course or the GSTC Sustainable Hotel Course described elsewhere on this website for general tourism practitioners and stakeholders.

GSTC Auditor Training Certificate Holder

Auditors listed below have successfully completed the GSTC Auditor Training and received a Certificate of Achievement.

The location and details shown are self-reported by the auditors and reflect their input. GSTC cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information listed here.

Auditors who completed the auditor training course with the STTP training before 2021 are not listed here due to changes in the training system and ongoing updates to the database. For information on auditors qualified before 2021, please contact auditor.training@gstc.org. Also, the individual on this list may not fully satisfy requirements outlined in the GSTC Accreditation Manual to conduct certification audit against GSTC Standards.

Auditor Training Grievance

If you have any feedback, concerns, or complaints regarding the GSTC Auditor Training, please contact us at auditor.training@gstc.org. You may also use the GSTC Grievance form for submission. All grievances will be reviewed and handled fairly, in accordance with the GSTC Auditor Training Grievance Procedure v.1.0.

Auditor Code of Conduct

Auditors conducting audits under the GSTC Standards shall comply at all times with the GSTC Code of Conduct and Integrity Agreement for Individuals Qualified in GSTC Auditor Training, as amended from time to time. By conducting such audits, the auditors acknowledge their obligation to adhere to the principles of professionalism, integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, independence, and ethical conduct set out therein.

Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in the suspension or revocation of the auditor’s GSTC qualification and authorization to conduct audits under the GSTC Standards.

Frequently Asked Questions