The GSTC2025 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference took place from 5 to 8 August at the Sheraton in Denarau, Fiji. The event brought together tourism professionals, destination representatives, academics, and sustainability experts from around the world to discuss key challenges and solutions in advancing sustainable tourism practices. Set against the backdrop of one of the [...]
Schedule | Certificate | Trainer & Presenters | Registration Info Sustainable Tourism Course for Zanzibar Join this in-depth 3-day training on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Industry Standards, tailored for Zanzibar’s hospitality industry. The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course (STC) is the official training course designed to help tourism [...]
Schedule | Certificate | Trainer & Presenters | Registration Info ABOUT THE COURSE GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course by WSC Collaboration with MarkPlus Tourism Wise Steps Consulting as an official partner of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) organizes the Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) which offers in-depth knowledge of [...]
We invite tourism stakeholders and certification bodies to participate in the public consultation on the new accreditation requirements for certification bodies, which aim to demonstrate their ability to provide reliable and trustworthy certification services to the MICE (Venues, Event Organizers, and Events/Exhibitions) and/or Attraction sectors. The public consultation will run for 100 days from [...]
Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC’s Chief Assurance Officer, participated in the APEC Workshop on Land Use Planning for Sustainable Tourism, held on July 26–27, 2025, at the Songdo Convention Center in Incheon, Republic of Korea. The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru within the framework of the Third [...]
City Destinations Alliance has released a white paper titled “The Score is Not the Story”, offering a comprehensive reflection on the role of sustainability indexes and certifications in urban tourism management. The publication provides insights into how cities across Europe are using these tools to advance their sustainability agendas, foster collaboration, and align with [...]
Ascott hosted the workshop “Shaping Sustainable Tourism, Together” on July 17, 2025, at lyf Ginza Tokyo, the first hotel in Japan to receive GSTC certification by Vireo, a GSTC-accredited certification body. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in this day event, which brought together future leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to [...]
Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, was recently interviewed by Nikos Diamantopoulos, General Manager of Marketing Greece, to share insights on the role of sustainability standards in shaping the future of tourism. During the conversation, Mr. Durband described how the GSTC Standards are developed through an incredibly inclusive process (previously known as GSTC Criteria), serving as [...]
GSTC Member, Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) issued the “Petra Five Promises” guideline in early 2025, following public consultations conducted in December 2024 across six Petra communities. Developed under the Petra Tourism Development Master Plan 2023–2033, which was prepared in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and launched in November [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) launched the GSTC Attraction Standard in November 2024. GSTC designed the Early Adopter Program to facilitate the practical implementation of the GSTC Attraction Standard. The two-year program focuses on exploring mechanisms and resources for implementing the standard, rather than showcasing results. Its goal is to share best practices [...]
The world is now only five years away from 2030, a critical milestone for delivering on the goals of the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Sustainable Development Agenda. The time available to implement meaningful action is becoming critically short, with the consequences of a changing climate increasingly visible – from rising [...]
In 2022, GSTC Member Tricolage obtained the GSTC Tour Operator Certification from Control Union, a GSTC-accredited Certification Body. This achievement made Tricolage the first tour operator in Japan to receive the GSTC Tour Operator Certification. Tricolage says it approaches sustainability not as a passing trend but as a core responsibility to travelers, local communities, [...]
Key stakeholders from South Korea’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry convened at the Sustainable MICE Management Forum in Seoul on July 4 to explore challenges and opportunities in transitioning toward more sustainable practices. The forum brought together thought leaders and innovators to discuss how the MICE sector can align with global sustainability [...]
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has released its 14th annual Sustainability Report, showcasing the Group’s ongoing efforts to integrate sustainable practices across its portfolio of luxury hotels and residences worldwide. The report outlined significant progress towards environmental and social targets, underscoring the Group’s commitment to responsible business operations. The report stated that the Group reduced [...]
Schedule | Certificate | Trainer & Presenters | Registration Info Sustainable Tourism Course in collaboration with Etifor Join the official GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course in Tarvisio, Italy, in collaboration with Etifor, organized by the GSTC Italy Working Group. The training will be held on September 25th and 26th, 2025. [...]
GSTC Auditor Training in Bangkok, Thailand Date: October 23-24, 2025 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Venue: Ascott Thonglor Bangkok Language: English Scope: GSTC Criteria for Destination Important Notice - Please note that this training covers the GSTC Criteria for Destinations, not for Hotels & Tour Operators. *This training may be canceled if the minimum number of [...]
In July 2025, the World Economic Forum (WEF) released the insight report “Travel and Tourism at a Turning Point: Principles for Transformative Growth”, developed in collaboration with Kearney. The report, to which GSTC CEO Randy Durband contributed, provides an in-depth analysis of the travel and tourism sector at a critical juncture in its evolution, [...]
GSTC Auditor Training in Thailand Date: October 20-22, 2025 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Venue: Ascott Thonglor Bangkok Language: English Scope: GSTC Industry Standard for Hotel and Tour operator *This training may be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not met. In such case, any registration fees already paid will be fully refunded. *GSTC [...]
Schedule | Testimonials | Certificate | Trainers | Registration Agodaとの提携により、GSTCホテル・サステナビリティ研修が日本・東京にて開催されます。 この研修は、ホテル業界の皆様が持続可能な観光の実践を育み、GSTCスタンダードに関する実践的かつ深い知識を習得することを目的としています。 今回の研修は、AgodaとGSTCによる11回目の共同開催となり、これまでシンガポール、台湾、タイ、インド、ネパール、スリランカ、インドネシア、フィリピン、韓国で実施され、約550名のホテル関係者が参加してきました。 このインタラクティブな2日間の研修では、ホテル業界の皆様が、持続可能な開発に関する知識とスキルを高める機会を提供します。参加者はGSTCのトレーナーやゲストスピーカーと直接交流し、ベストプラクティスや実際の国内外ホテル事例から学ぶことができます。 さらに、GSTCホテルスタンダードに基づいたチェックリストを活用することで、現在の取り組み状況を評価し、短期・中期・長期の持続可能性目標を設定し、国際的に認知されたサステナビリティ基準に沿った取り組みを進めることができます。 日付：2025年9月29日(月) - 30日(火) 会場：Toranomon Hills Forum 虎ノ門ヒルズフォーラム、東京都港区虎ノ門1-23-3 虎ノ門ヒルズ森タワー 言語：日本語 今すぐ登録する 1日目：2025年9月29日（月） 時間 内容 学習目標 10:30 – 10:35 GSTCから歓迎のあいさつ 10:35 – 10:45 Agodaから開催にあたり 10:45 – 10:50 基調講演 10:50 – 11:00 グループ写真撮影 11:00 – 11:30 [...]
In August 2024, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in partnership with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), announced its plans to expand the GSTC Standards, the global standards for sustainable tourism, by developing a new set specifically for tourism-related food service providers. This forthcoming set, with an official name to be determined, [...]
