One year after launching the R4MSEC Roundtable for Micro and Small Enterprises Certification, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) reflects on the progress of this initiative, created to address the specific challenges micro and small tourism enterprises face in accessing sustainability certification. The Roundtable was established to bring together stakeholders from across the tourism value chain to explore practical, scalable approaches that make certification more accessible and relevant for smaller businesses.
Since its launch, the R4MSEC Roundtable has provided a collaborative platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the identification of barriers and opportunities related to certification for micro and small enterprises. The initiative acknowledges that these businesses represent a significant share of the global tourism sector, yet often face resource, technical capacity, and access limitations to certification processes.
As part of this work, GSTC has published the first R4MSEC Roundtable Report, summarizing key discussions, insights, and initial recommendations emerging from the Roundtable’s first phase. The report highlights shared challenges across regions and underscores the importance of developing practical solutions that maintain credibility while supporting broader participation in sustainability efforts.
Looking ahead, the Roundtable will continue its work under the management of GSTC’s Futures Lab, supporting the next phase of development and ensuring continuity in stakeholder engagement and knowledge generation. Building on the findings of the first year, GSTC also plans to publish a pilot project that compiles practical examples and real-world experiences to help micro and small enterprises.
“The R4MSEC Roundtable has demonstrated the value of bringing diverse stakeholders together to address the practical challenges faced by micro and small enterprises in engaging with sustainability certification. As Futures Lab takes on the management of the Roundtable, our focus will be on continuing this collaborative process, translating shared insights into practical guidance, and supporting the development of solutions that remain both accessible and credible for smaller tourism businesses,” says Dr.Soohyun Kwon, Specialist, GSTC Futures Lab.
“This first year of the R4MSEC Roundtable has demonstrated the value of collaboration in advancing shared understanding and practical solutions for micro and small enterprises. As the initiative moves into its next phase under the Futures Lab, the focus will be on building on this momentum, turning collective insights into action, and continuing to strengthen sustainable tourism practices across the sector,” said Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC Chief Assurance Officer.
