The Honduran Institute of Tourism (IHT) has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
Located in Central America, Honduras stands out for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the country features tropical forests, mountain ranges, rivers, and extensive coastlines. It is home to remarkable natural areas such as Pico Bonito National Park, the Celaque Mountains, and the Bay Islands, known for their coral reefs and marine biodiversity. The ancient city of Copán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlights the historical importance of the Maya civilization in the region.
Sustainability Commitment
The Honduran Institute of Tourism (IHT) has established, as a state policy, the implementation of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), based on strong public–private partnerships and an inclusive tourism approach. This policy integrates tourism enterprises, entrepreneurs, and local communities into the comprehensive development of destinations, with particular attention to vulnerable populations. It emphasizes promoting associativity and supporting women, youth, and Indigenous peoples, among others, to ensure that tourism development contributes to equitable and sustainable growth.
The DMOs are responsible for designing the governance structure for tourism management in Honduras through local and regional coordination. This model operates via specialized councils focused on Marketing, Competitiveness and Quality, Statistics, and Heritage Management, which foster collaboration and innovation in the sector. The active participation of local actors, including municipal governments, communities, academia, and the regional branches of the National Chamber of Tourism of Honduras (CANATURH), is considered essential to the success of their governance framework and the sustainable development of tourism across the country.
With the update, The National Sustainable Tourism Strategy (ENTS), led by the Ministry of Tourism (SETUR) and the Honduran Institute of Tourism (IHT), aims to strengthen Honduras’s position within the regional tourism landscape by developing and diversifying its products and destinations. The updated ENTS aim for a sustainable tourism development model with a strong philosophical and conceptual foundation, to generate a positive impact across all social levels and regions of the country, promoting inclusive growth and long-term sustainability within the Honduran tourism sector.
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The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a project to help Honduras strengthen tax transparency and economic sustainability in February 2025. This program aims to enhance resource mobilization to address the country’s growth priorities and boost its productive capacity.
“Today is a historic day for Honduras. Our incorporation as members into the Global Sustainable Tourism Council marks a new chapter in the way we envision and project our country to the world.
Honduras is a land of natural, cultural, and human richness. From the depths of Copán to our Caribbean islands, from the coffee-covered mountains to the communities that thrive on social and responsible tourism, we are a country that breathes authenticity. By joining the GSTC, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting who we are and sharing it with the world in a sustainable way. We want tourism not only to generate economic development, but also to bring hope, foster respect for our nature, and nurture pride within our communities. This step opens the doors to new partnerships, learning, and international cooperation. But above all, it commits us to continue building a form of tourism that cares, educates, and inspires. Today, Honduras tells the world: the future of tourism is sustainable, and Honduras wants to be part of that future,” says Yadira Gómez, Minister of Tourism of Honduras.
GSTC Welcomes Honduras
“We extend a warm welcome to Honduras as a new member of GSTC and value their commitment in supporting our mission for ever-more sustainable forms of tourism. We look forward to working with them to advance sustainable tourism practices in their region,” says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.
About the Honduran Institute of Tourism
The Honduran Institute of Tourism is the institution responsible for promoting, guiding, and strengthening the tourism development of the country. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of Hondurans and to foster national identity through the sustainable growth of the tourism sector. The Institute implements the tourism policies defined by the Ministry of Tourism, working to position Honduras as a competitive and attractive destination at both the national and international levels.
More information here: https://www.iht.hn/en/mision-vision
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 © Honduran Institute of Tourism
