The GSTC Destination Criteria revision has begun. According to the GSTC-D Revision Term of Reference, the revision schedule is as follow: Start December 2018: Announcement through publication of these Terms of Reference Early December 2018 – early March 2019: First round consultation Early March 2019 – end May 2019: Resolution/publish response to comments Start June 2019 [...]
The GSTC Destination Criteria revision underway - Join the public consultation The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) invites you to have input into the revision of the GSTC Criteria for Destinations (GSTC Destination Criteria). The GSTC Criteria serve as the global baseline standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. They are the result of [...]
IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) has released a new publication titled "Tourism and Visitor Management in Protected Areas", guidelines to help protected area authorities establish sustainable tourism and visitation. Many protected areas are managed for tourism and visitation as one component of achieving their purpose, involving a wide range of stakeholders, including [...]
On November 15-17, 2018, the "International Summit: Cultural Sustainable Destinations without Borders" was organized by the GSTC Member Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI) and Historical Villages of Portugal. The summit aimed at discussing, reflecting on and raising awareness of a common policy directed to alternative destinations. "The absence of a concrete definition for an alternative [...]
On November 13 & 14, 2018, the TOTA Annual General Meeting & Tourism Summit took place in Osoyoos, BC, Canada, with the theme “Drive for Sustainability." GSTC CEO, Randy Durband, keynoted the summit, along with Honorable Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture British Columbia; Glenn Mandziuk, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association; Marsha Walden, Destination British Columbia; and Angela Nagy, Greenstep Solutions Inc.
GSTC Member Viajar Verde Wins the WTM International Travel & Tourism Awards 2018: Best Digital Influencer in the Industry WTM has announced the 2018 International Travel & Tourism Awards winners at the WTM awards ceremony, on Tuesday 6 November 2018, at London’s Tobacco Dock. The 500+ travel professionals who attended cheered their success and [...]
As part of Davao Region's pursuit to a more sustainable and inclusive growth tourism and in order to fully implement the UNWTO global sustainability measures, a 3-day Sustainable Tourism Standards Training for Destinations was conducted on 5-7 November 2018, at Seda Abreeza Hotel in Davao City. The training was facilitated by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council [...]
The GSTC has partnered with the MarkPlus Center for Tourism & Hospitality to deliver a 3-day training class of the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP), from 29-31 October 2018, in Sanur, Bali, Indonesia (co-hosted by Griya Santrian Hotel). Led by GSTC Trainer and Asia Pacific Program Director Dr. Mihee Kang, the training class [...]
The GSTC Training Partner Walking Mountains Science Center delivered a 2-day training class of the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) from October 25-26, 2018, led by Dr. Kim Langmaid, GSTC Trainer and the Founder of the Walking Mountains Science Center. The training class was attended by local and regional tourism industry stakeholders, representing [...]
"With tourism arrivals tripling over the past two decades, the region has reached a tipping point in terms of its ability to prevent popular destinations from being ruined But wherever tourism is developed, it is critical to preserve both natural resources and local culture, says Mr Randy Durband, GSTC CEO." Read the full article: Loved [...]
The Delegation of Environment and Promotion of the Territory of Málaga, Spain, hosted the III Malaga Viva Annual Meeting (III Encuentro Anual Málaga Viva), a province against climate change on October 23, 2018. GSTC Chair, Mr. Luigi Cabrini, participated in a dialogue on climate change, along with, Alicia Torrego (CONAMA) and Mariano Sidrach (Fundación Renovables). [...]
GSTC Member Transat, one of the largest integrated tourism companies in the world and Canada's holiday travel leader, is now Travelife Certified. This marks the first time that this international certification has been awarded to a major international tour operator for the full range of its activities. This recognition underscores Transat's longstanding efforts and leadership in sustainable [...]
On October 6, GSTC Chair, Mr. Luigi Cabrini, delivered the keynote speech at the International Cruise Forum in Taiwan 2018, hosted by Taiwan Tourism Bureau. “Whatever the stage of development of a destination, a susustainability-based strategy is essential, and the GSTC criteria provide a comprehensive and practical reference,” said Mr. Cabrini. [...]
On October 2nd Vireo srl organized a conference concerning the certifications according to the GSTC criteria (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) at the municipal hall of Sesto, Italy. Many speakers took part during the event with significant speeches about the sustainability in the tourism market, especially regarding hotel industry. The event started with four main contributors: first, [...]
The Center for Responsible Travel has released its annual report, “The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2018.” This report provides the tourism industry with key examples and best practices for mainstreaming responsible travel and addressing the complex issue of overtourism. "Certification continues to play an important role among responsibly-minded businesses, with the [...]
"Look for seals of approval from Global Sustainable Tourism Council, The Long Run, and Rainforest Alliance; all of these groups factor energy and water use, as well as sustainability and improving the livelihoods of local people. " Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, emphasizes the importance of choosing accredited accommodations and operators. “Certification equals [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) offered a 3-day training class for representatives of Mae Fah Luang University (28-30 September 2018). The training was attended by an interdisciplinary group of professionals representing various fields including architecture, law, environmental science and business management. The training was delivered by Dr. Mihee Kang (GSTC Trainer and Asia [...]
"Today, tourism is second only to hydropower in terms of revenue. Happily, the demand for guides and drivers creates employment and provides income opportunities via the sale of handicrafts, etc. Moreover, US$65 of the US$250 fee goes to the government who in reinvest it into free education and healthcare for citizens. But some are [...]
September 13, 2018 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Vireo Srl has achieved the ‘GSTC-Accredited’ status. Achieving the GSTC-Accredited status means that a certification program is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by the GSTC Accreditation Panel and by ASI (Accreditation Services International), GSTC’s [...]
Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Thailand Minister of Tourism & Sport, and Mr. Randy Durband, GSTC CEO In a recent article in The Nation, Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Thailand Minister of Tourism & Sports, said: “We seem to agree that the head counts of foreign tourists or their expenditure are not the top priority. So, targets like 36 [...]
