The GSTC participated in the MICE Intelligence & Innovation Summit 2025, held on March 4th at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel in Thailand. The Summit focused on the role of sustainability in shaping the future of the meetings and events industry. Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, delivered a keynote on the Vision Stage, titled “Destination [...]
GSTC was present at the IAAPA APAC Sustainability Summit, held on the 13th and 14th of March 2025 in Singapore. The two-day, in-person event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and sustainability advocates. It featured discussions, expert insights, and networking opportunities focused on advancing sustainable practices in the attractions sector. Dr. [...]
The ‘March Lunch and Learn’ event, hosted by the Canmore Hotel & Lodging Association, focused on collaborative efforts to advance regenerative tourism in Canmore and Kananaskis. Located in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, the region is known for its natural landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities. The event provided an opportunity for [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Assessment of the Cook Islands took place between September 2024 and January 2025. The Cook Islands lie between French Polynesia to the east and Tonga to the west, situated about 3,000 kilometers (1,865 miles) northeast of New Zealand. The islands are of volcanic origin, with Rarotonga— the [...]
Today’s tourism industry features a significant presence of micro and small enterprises (MSEs). Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are essential to the tourism and travel sector, representing approximately 80% of all tourism enterprises worldwide and up to 98% in select G20 nations (International Council for Small Business, 2024*). Tourism MSEs play an important role [...]
The 2025 Conference of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) will be held in Fiji from August 5-8, 2025. This landmark event will bring together global leaders in sustainable tourism, including government representatives, destination managers, industry professionals, and sustainability experts, to advance the future of responsible travel and tourism worldwide. Fiji, known for its [...]
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented intern to join the AYLAC Technical Secretariat with a focus on funding and sponsorship management. This remote, part-time position offers a unique opportunity to support sustainable tourism initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean. As an intern, you will play a key role in identifying funding opportunities, [...]
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented intern to join the AYLAC Technical Secretariat. This remote, part-time position offers a unique opportunity to support sustainable tourism initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean. As an intern, you will help facilitate communication, coordinate logistics, and contribute to key projects that advance AYLAC’s mission. You will [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that GCL International Ltd has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status with the scope of certifying hotels/accommodations to GSTC Hotel Criteria. Operating from its base in central London, United Kingdom, GCL International Ltd manages a network of overseas offices in 5 continents, serving over [...]
SLOVAKIA TRAVEL has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Located in Central Europe, Slovakia is known for its landscapes and cultural heritage. With mountain ranges such as the High Tatras and extensive cave systems, including UNESCO-listed sites like the Slovak Karst, the country offers a mix of natural and [...]
Turismo Lanzarote has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Located in the Canary Islands, Spain, Lanzarote is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its volcanic landscapes and distinct geological formations. From the lava fields of Timanfaya National Park to the traditional architecture influenced by César Manrique, Lanzarote combines natural [...]
Okinawa Prefecture sponsored the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training for their employees in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. The training was held from the 22nd to the 24th of February, 2025. It was led by GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, who shared his expertise with practical examples and valuable insights. [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course in French for stakeholders in French Polynesia was successfully conducted online. It was the second training in partnership with BY CONSULTING and HSF FORMATION (see first training here), and it was held between February 4 and 27, 2025, with a total of 38 participants completing the course. The training aimed [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Alberk QA Technic has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status with the scope of certifying hotels/accommodations to GSTC Hotel Criteria. Alberk QA Technic states in its mission that beyond providing certification, inspection, training, testing, and calibration services, it upholds impartiality principles, ensuring its [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is proud to announce the launch of its new training course tailored specifically for Tour Operators (TOs). The new GSTC Sustainable Tour Operator Course (TOC) is designed to equip professionals in the field with the knowledge and tools to implement the GSTC Tour Operator Criteria effectively. This comprehensive [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course was sponsored by JTB Corp for its employees who came from Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kansai, and Fukuoka. It was held in Tokyo, Japan, from the 19th to the 21st of February, 2025. A total of 20 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced last year the third revision of the GSTC Industry Criteria after announcing version 3 in 2016. The first and second public consultations have been accomplished as set in the Terms of Reference. We are now extending an invitation to all stakeholders in the industry to engage in [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by the Nasu Tourism Association for its employees, concluded successfully. It was held in Nasu-machi, Japan, from the 10th to the 11th of February 2025. A total of 24 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, led the course. The two-day [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Hospitality Course organized by Ascott at their global training center, ACE, in Singapore, concluded successfully. Held between February 19 and 21, 2025, with a total of 16 participants, the course aimed to strengthen understanding and application of the GSTC Hotel Criteria, the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. Delivered [...]
The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) who joined GSTC as a Destination Member in 2020, sponsored three GSTC Sustainable Tourism Trainings in different locations for destination representatives and tourism industry stakeholders in Japan. The GSTC Trainings in Japan were held in the following destinations: 1. Tsuruoka Yamagata, from the 14th to the 16th of December, [...]
