* Pictured Above: GSTC Chair, Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Member Jonathan Tourtellet, and tourism authorities of the Government of Gujarat, participate in the " lighting of the lamp" a ceremony performed to open and to bless the event. Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2014) On September 27th, the state of Gujarat, India hosted the [...]
The Ibero-American Forum in Sustainable Tourism (FITS) was held in Santiago de Chile. GSTC Member, Erika Harms, spoke. The forum educated participants on sustainability implications and benefits; promoted networking opportunities; and conveyed experiences and programs that have worked successfully in other destinations. Erika Harms addressed worldwide trends in sustainable tourism [...]
Sustainable Riviera Maya (SRM) and the GSTC hosted a workshop on sustainable destinations and the application of the GSTC Criteria. This workshop explored the intersection of sustainable development and tourism, and provided practical guidance on adopting the Global Criteria in Mexico and throughout Latin America. A panel of high-level public [...]
Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2014) On September 4th, 2014 Mr. Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Chair of the Board, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony for the post graduate course on sustainable tourism at “Universidad del Caribe” in Cancun. He stressed the value of sustainable tourism and of the GSTC initiatives for an iconic destination [...]
Washington, D.C. (September 11, 2014) The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announces the GSTC Criteria are now translated into a variety of languages and available for download by the public. The translation of the Criteria was a collaborative effort from organizations and individuals from around the globe. Portions of the criteria are available in the [...]
Washington, D.C. (September 11, 2014) The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announces the winners of its 2014 Board of Directors election. The 21-seat board consists of 12 elected seats, of which 7 were open for election or re-election this year. Three current board members were re-elected: Jane Ashton (TUI Travel, United [...]
St. Kitts and Nevis, located in the northern Leeward Islands in the West Indies, was one of the first destinations in the world to be selected as a GSTC Early Adopter, and the first in the Caribbean. St. Kitts still retains “hidden gem” status, not being a mass-market Caribbean destination. [...]
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 9, 2014)– At the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) Annual NGO Conference, held August 27th to August 29th, GSTC’s CEO Randy Durband, presented at a workshop focusing on sustainable tourism’s role in addressing global issues. Also presenting at the workshop was GSTC Co-Chair, Dr. Kelly Bricker, and GSTC Member Dr. David [...]
Washington D.C., USA (September 4, 2014) This December in Riviera Maya, Mexico, Sustainable Riviera Maya (SRM) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) will host a workshop on sustainable destinations and the application of the GSTC Criteria. This workshop will explore the intersection of sustainable development and tourism, and provide practical guidance on adopting the Global [...]
GSTC’s CEO, Randy Durband, will present at the ATMEX Summit in Chiapas Mexico on Friday August 29th. The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and Visit Mexico will host the ATMEX Summit August 22-29 in Chiapas, Mexico. Durband’s presentation will focus on the GSTC Criteria for Destinations and Early Adopter Program [...]
Washington D.C., USA (August 25, 2014) Industry and Government policy makers in the emerging South East Asian nation of Myanmar (also known as Burma) are increasingly being guided by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Criteria. The country of Myanmar is expected to receive 3 million international visitors this year (2014), up from 2 million in [...]
Partnership to Showcase Sustainable Destination Development through Storytelling & Film; Leverages New Global Stakeholder Distribution Network Los Angeles, CA, USA (August 13, 2014) – GLP Films (GLP), a hybrid film production and marketing company, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a leader in establishing and managing standards for sustainable tourism, have formalized a strategic [...]
The Riviera Maya's rich cultural and natural heritage attracts approximately 4 million tourists a year. It is a world-class destination featuring the best of ancient and living Mayan culture. The Riviera Maya is home to both beautiful beaches and biodiversity, including the Mesoamerican Reef System, which is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. [...]
St. Croix is a destination teeming with natural beauty, rich culture, flavorful cuisine, and a complex but fascinating history. "Unique" and "authentic" are words that locals will happily throw around, and with good cause; St. Croix is the only island on its continental plate, providing a topographical contrast to its volcanic neighbors. In addition to [...]
Flyer for Sierra Gorda’s Carbon Offset Program The GSTC Early Adopter destination Sierra Gorda is a biosphere reserve covering one-third of the state of Querétaro, in north-central México. The Sierra Gorda Reserve is of the most biodiversity-rich protected areas in México, and is a member of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere program. Sierra Gorda [...]
The workshop provided an overview of new global criteria for sustainable tourism, examples of how tourism is supporting the new Green economy and alleviating poverty in LDC nations, shared best practices, and examined Walt Disney Company as a case study in implementing sustainable tourism practices including the 12 blue community [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council invited its members and industry professionals to the GSTC Regional Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on September 17, 2014. The meeting coincided with the Responsible Travel Pavilion at PATA Travel Mart. Following a brief presentation on current GSTC activities and future plans, participants engaged in [...]
The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and Visit Mexico will host the ATMEX Summit August 22-29 in Chiapas, Mexico. The summit will explore Mexico’s adventure travel offerings and provide opportunities for long-term business partnerships. According to the hosts, the goal of the event is “to inspire operators in Mexico to continue to pursue adventure travel [...]
Sierra Gorda, Mexico The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) conducted its Early Adopter program from 2012 through early 2014. During the program, a diverse group of fourteen forward-thinking destinations worldwide pilot tested the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Destinations. Each Early Adopter underwent a baseline destination sustainability assessment [...]
Tourism has been a crucial economic driver on St. Croix for many years and the island has been careful to avoid over- development that might detract from its varied natural and cultural assets. As part of the island’s strategic plan to increase visitation, St Croix has been exploring ways to [...]
