GSTC Certification
Why GSTC and GSTC Certification?
Highest Level of Trust in Travel and Tourism Industry
As an internationally recognized organization, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) plays a crucial role in the tourism industry by establishing and managing global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. Founded as a strategic coalition between the United Nations Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), among others; the GSTC works to promote responsible tourism practices worldwide.
GSTC Certification
The term “GSTC Certification” is a shorthand for “Certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited.”
GSTC Certification is a three-year valid certification that has been regarded as the most trusted benchmark for sustainability and excellence in the travel and tourism industry worldwide. With the GSTC certification, tourism businesses can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable tourism through a credible, impartial and rigorous assessment.
Why are we confident in saying that?
The certification is an independent third party certification conducted by GSTC accredited certification bodies (ACBs) to certify tourism businesses against the GSTC Standards. The GSTC establishes and maintains the GSTC Standards, the global framework for sustainable tourism. GSTC does not conduct certification; rather, it accredits Certification Bodies (CBs) that certify tourism businesses. Through a rigorous accreditation process, GSTC ensures that these CBs operate with transparency, impartiality, and competence. In short, GSTC certify the certifiers.
What do we mean by “GSTC-accredited certification bodies”?
Accreditation is a mark of quality that GSTC places on Certification Bodies that choose our independent and neutral process to verify that they certify businesses, such as hotels, tour operators, or destinations, in a competent and neutral manner. GSTC looks very hard at the CB’s certification process to ensure that they issue certifications based on merit and neutrality. GSTC does not certify directly, GSTC certifies the certifiers.
See here for more information about the difference between Certification, Accreditation, and Recognition.
What are the benefits of being GSTC-certified?
Increasingly travelers are seeking eco-friendly and socially responsible options. From Booking.com 2024 Travel Predictions shows that over half of the traveler’s (53%) are looking for accommodation that has wow-factor sustainability innovation. By obtaining the GSTC Certification, your tourism and travel businesses would enjoy the following benefits:
- Gaining Credibility: GSTC Certification is a third-party audited certification with the highest level of impartiality and credibility. In light of the publications of regulations such as EU Green Claims, it is important for businesses to verify their sustainable claims by a third party.
- Meeting national/regional requirements: GSTC works closely with NTOs/DMOs to implement GSTC Standards into local regulations and encourage hotels within that region to become certified by GSTC ACBs. Examples such as:
- Market access opportunity: GSTC launches a Market Access Program(MAP) in the hospitality sector where we collaborate with OTAs and TMCs to promote sustainable accommodations, in other words, to promote certified properties to meet the increasing demand from customers. More details about the GSTC Market Access Program, please see here.
- Being included in the Corporate Travel Program (CTP): GSTC is the recommended certification in GBTA’s sustainable procurement standard for hotels, which is highly implemented as the RFP indicator by many of the corporate travel programs (CTP).
Who can be certified? Choose the right GSTC Certification
Any Destination, Hotel/Accommodation, or Tour Operator that has developed a management system in accordance with GSTC Standards can be certified as sustainable by a GSTC-accredited certification body (ACB) in conformity with the requirements of GSTC Standards.
Examples of Hotel Groups Target for Full Certification
Below are examples of how various hotel groups implement GSTC Standards and target full certification across their properties.
*The list is sorted in alphabetical order.
The Ascott Limited
About the Ascott Limited’s Goal to GSTC Certification
Ascott remains committed to advancing sustainability in global tourism through its alignment with GSTC. Our journey began in 2022 where we formalised the Ascott CARES framework, setting a strong foundation for GSTC-aligned sustainable practices across our operations. In 2023, Somerset Greenways Chennai and lyf one-north Singapore became the first of our properties to achieve GSTC certification. In 2024, Ascott was amongst the first in the industry to gain GSTC-Committed status for its adoption of the GSTC Criteria. As of February 2025, 25% of our portfolio* is GSTC-certified, with more underway, as we work towards achieving GSTC certification across all properties* globally by 2028. (*Managed and branded with more than two years of operations.)
– Ascott CARES: The Ascott Limited 2024 Sustainability Report
“Our longstanding partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has been a pivotal milestone in our sustainability journey. This collaboration has empowered us to spearhead industry-wide capability-building programmes, advancing Singapore’s Hotel Sustainability Roadmap. We are also honoured to be among the first hospitality groups to achieve GSTC-Committed Status.
By embracing GSTC standards and pursuing GSTC certification, we integrate the highest sustainability standards into our operations, amplifying our impact across all our properties worldwide. Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and we remain wholeheartedly committed to positively shaping the future of travel by adhering to the gold standard for sustainable tourism.” Beh Siew Kim, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer, Lodging, CapitaLand Investment said.
Best Western Hotels – APAC
BWH Hotels APAC has announced their goal is to achieve GSTC certification for all its portfolio in this region by 2026 (currently 130+), reinforcing BWH’s commitment to sustainable hospitality practices.
Centara Hotels & Resorts
About Centara Hotels & Resorts Goal to GSTC Certification
Centara is actively working towards its long-term goal of achieving full GSTC certification of all 42 hotels by 2025. The company is implementing various sustainability initiatives across its portfolio, demonstrating a strong commitment to responsible tourism and environmental stewardship. Further progress was made in 2024, as eight more properties introduced solar panels to generate their own renewable energy, and the number of Centara’s hotels and resorts certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) increased to 93%. Centara also became the first hotel group in Thailand to achieve GSTC certification.
Thirayuth Chirathivat – Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts said, “Beyond business expansion, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles remain integral to our strategy. Sustainability is embedded in our corporate DNA, guiding every aspect of our operations. 39 of our hotels are now Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certified, marking significant progress towards our goal of full certification by 2025. Looking ahead, we remain committed to achieving a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2029 and net-zero operations by 2050, ensuring that our future growth is both responsible and sustainable.”
– Centara Plaza Hotel Public Company Limited, Annual Report 2024
– Centara Hotels & Resorts, Sustainability Report 2024
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Limited
As a GSTC-Committed entity, Mandarin Oriental has set an ambitious target to achieve 100% certification across all its properties by 2025 (currently 40+). This commitment reflects their dedication to integrating sustainable practices into their operations and enhancing their overall environmental performance.
Rosewood Hotel Group
Rosewood Hotel Group’s Goal to GSTC Certification
The certification verified that the Group’s operational standards and guest experiences align with four key GSTC Criteria: effective sustainable management, social and economic benefits for local communities, preservation of cultural heritage, and environmental responsibility. A key differentiator of the Group’s ethos is its commitment that sustainability and social impact initiatives are not mandates but core pillars, in which each property embraces every detail — from eco-conscious culinary creations and educational guest programming to sustainable design elements alongside those that celebrate local heritage and artistry, to partnerships that uplift local livelihoods. Every property of Rosewood Hotel Group embodies a commitment to the planet and its people that strive to continue building a future where people and place enrich each other.
Mehvesh Mumtaz Ahmed, Vice President of Impact and Sustainability at Rosewood Hotel Group said “At Rosewood, we endeavor to create experiences that are exciting and meaningful, and elevated yet responsible. The GSTC certification is a welcome endorsement that we are affixing this enrichment lens on every part of our business, from hiring, supply chain, and partnerships to procurement, design and more.”
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
About Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas’ Goal to GSTC Certification
Six Senses properties have received certification by Control Union – a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Six Senses properties* underwent an extensive audit by Control Union to verify their efforts in sustainability planning, reducing negative environmental impacts, enhancing cultural heritage, and maximizing social and economic benefits for surrounding communities.
Jeff Smith, Six Senses Vice President of Sustainability, shares, “GSTC Certification is a mark of trust and credibility in sustainability. While this certification is issued globally, it marks a proud moment for our individual Six Senses properties included in this certification and their sustainability teams, who work proactively to provide uncompromising hospitality, environmentally cognizant operations, an outstanding guest experience, and high levels of engagement among colleagues and the local community.”
Examples of GSTC-certified Tour Operators
*The list is sorted in alphabetical order.