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 Destination Standard Important Notice - Please note that this training covers the GSTC Standards for Destinations, not for Hotels & Tour Operators. *This training may be canceled if the minimum number of participants [...]
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 [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training was conducted as part of an agreement between JTB and the Kyoto Branch of the Ryokan Hotel Federation in Kyoto, Japan, from July 7 to 9, 2025. GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, CEO of Daisetsuzan Experience, shared his knowledge and expertise along with Naomi Oiwa, GSTC’s Japan [...]
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, [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce the establishment of its Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). Composed of a diverse group of highly respected professionals from the tourism and travel industry, the Technical Advisory Committee will offer expert recommendations to support GSTC’s operations. Their insights will help strengthen and enrich the decision-making process [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training, sponsored by the Organization for the Promotion of Tourism in Shikoku, was held in Marugame City, Kagawa, Japan, from July 3 to 5, 2025. Participants were mainly representatives from DMOs and tourism associations across Shikoku Island, bringing together a diverse group of professionals committed to advancing sustainable tourism practices [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in a roundtable event hosted by Booking.com in Madrid, Spain, on June 25, where the 10th edition of its Travel & Sustainability Report was presented by Inés de Santiago and Eguzkiñe Añón from Booking.com. Based on a global survey of over 32,000 travelers across [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Assessments of Birgi and Side in Türkiye took place between June 23 and August 2, 2024, and were conducted by the GSTC with the participation of Cappadocia University. The assessment process, which included local stakeholder consultation, helped the destination management team identify the essential components and areas [...]
