The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the Expand Your World – Tourism Summit Budapest 2025, joining industry professionals, policymakers, and tourism stakeholders to explore trends, challenges, and opportunities in sustainable tourism under the conference theme, “Travel Smart, Explore the Future!”
As a panelist on “Mega-Events vs. Slow Tourism,” Michelle Janke (GSTC) outlined how destinations can capture the benefits of major events while also advancing slower, place-led forms of tourism that emphasize cultural authenticity, local value creation, and environmental responsibility.
A central highlight of GSTC’s participation was the announcement of the Hungarian version of the GSTC MICE Standard, developed through close cooperation between GSTC and MaReSz (Federation of Hungarian Event Organisers and Suppliers). The forthcoming Hungarian edition will provide venues, event and exhibition organizers, and suppliers with a clear, internationally aligned framework to embed credible sustainability practices across the MICE ecosystem.
“The GSTC MICE Standard offers a practical roadmap for Hungary’s events sector,” said Michelle Janke, GSTC. “By following clear guidelines, stakeholders can reduce environmental impacts, strengthen social and economic benefits for local communities, and elevate the overall quality and legacy of events. We’re proud to bring this resource to the Hungarian market in partnership with MaReSz.”
Janke emphasized that sustainability in MICE goes beyond operational efficiency and waste management, requiring a holistic approach that addresses accessibility and inclusion, community engagement, responsible procurement and supply chains, good governance, and transparent reporting. The GSTC MICE Standard provides a structured pathway for aligning these elements, helping events meet near-term goals while contributing to long-term destination stewardship.
The Hungarian version of the GSTC MICE Standard is available on the GSTC website here.
“We very much value the collaboration with GSTC and the opportunity to bring the MICE Standards to the Hungarian market. Our organization has just launched its Sustainability Guide, including the Hungarian version of the GSTC MICE Standard, in order to provide Hungarian MICE stakeholders – alongside the summary of relevant sustainability regulations and practices – with a comprehensive and internationally accepted set of sustainability criteria. We would like to encourage all Hungarian venues, event and exhibition organizers to study and follow GSTC Standards, which can serve as the entry point to international certification,” emphasized Balázs Szűcs, Secretary General of the Federation of Hungarian Event Organisers and Suppliers (MaReSz).
« The newly completed Hungarian MICE Sustainability Guide, including the GSTC MICE Standard, is an excellent opportunity to bring closer to the Hungarian MICE professional community the approach that even in event planning it is possible to implement the practice of ‘more fun with less stuff,’” emphasized Balázs Kovács, EU Climate Pact Ambassador for Austria and Hungary, GSTC member, and Sustainability Expert of MaReSz.
« True sustainability in tourism is not just about reducing our footprint, but about enriching local experiences and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Hungary for future generations. The GSTC MICE Standard provides a clear framework for integrating these principles into Hungary’s events sector, ensuring that every gathering contributes positively to the community and the environment. » Said Ildikó Lippai, Head of MICE Strategy of the Budapest Conventions Bureau.
