- The European Commission announced the 2026 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism, celebrating destinations leading in accessibility, sustainability, digitalization, and cultural heritage. Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Tampere (Finland) were selected as the winners of the EU’s 2026 European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions, following a European Jury meeting held [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Assessment of the Cook Islands took place between September 2024 and January 2025. The Cook Islands lie between French Polynesia to the east and Tonga to the west, situated about 3,000 kilometers (1,865 miles) northeast of New Zealand. The islands are of volcanic origin, with Rarotonga— the [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the Municipality of Kotor, and the Port of Kotor in Montenegro joined forces for the destination assessment in the historic port city. The agreement was announced during CLIA’s Port and Destination Dialogue in Hamburg, Germany, last year. The GSTC Destination Assessment took place [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) conducted a Destination Assessment of Petra, Jordan, from May to August 2023. GSTC expert Assessors completed an unbiased assessment of the management of the destination’s compliance with the GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D), the global standard for sustainable destinations. Petra Overview Petra, the capital of the Nabataean Arabs, is [...]
Le Conseil Mondial de Tourisme Durable (GSTC® pour ses sigles en anglais) a réalisé une Évaluation de Destination dans les îles de Tahiti, en Polynésie française, d’août à décembre 2023. L’évaluation de la destination a été menée par la Dr. Mihee Kang, Directrice d'Assurance Globale du GSTC, avec le soutien total de Tahiti Tourisme. [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the municipality of Kotor and the port of Kotor in Montenegro will cooperate to conduct a destination assessment in the historic port city. Kotor is an important cruise port in the Adriatic region. The city of Kotor, set against a mountainous backdrop, is [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) conducted a Destination Assessment of Sonoma County, California from February to November 2022. The Destination Assessment was led by Dr. Kelly Bricker, GSTC Vice-Chair, with the full support of Sonoma County Tourism (SCT). Sonoma County Tourism Overview Encompassing 1,575 square miles in northwestern California, Sonoma County is known [...]
Athens, 28 July 2022. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise industry trade association, welcomes the completion of sustainability destination assessments in the popular Greek cruise destinations of Corfu and Heraklion. The project, co-funded by CLIA in partnership with the two municipalities and port authorities, was conducted by the Global Sustainable Tourism [...]
April 2022 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) conducted a Destination Assessment of Heraklion, Greece, from March to December 2021. The Destination Assessment was led by Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Program Director for the Mediterranean Region, working closely with Heraklion’s authorities. Heraklion Tourism Overview Heraklion is the largest region of Crete and a [...]
February 2022 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) conducted a Destination Assessment of Summit County, Utah, from July to December 2021. The Destination Assessment was led by Dr. Kelly Bricker, GSTC Vice-Chair, working closely with the Park City Chamber of Commerce | Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCCVB) and stakeholders throughout the County. Summit [...]
Pattaya City Background Information Pattaya City is located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand. It’s about 100 kilometers south-east of Bangkok. There are several natural and cultural attractions. Attractions include beaches, Pattaya Hill, Chaloem Phra Kiat Park, Pattaya Walking Street, Koh Larn, Takhian Tia Community, Chak Ngaew Community, theme parks and [...]
GSTC Destination Assessment Opening and closing workshops in Ohrid The objective of any assessment is to see the destinations’ present status and to create a strategic plan for improvement in order for the destination to become more sustainable. The assessment is based on the GSTC Destination Criteria, focusing on these four pillars: [...]
Overview of Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon City Panoramic views from Hwaseong Fortress Suwon City is known for its Hwaseong Fortress. It was constructed at the end of the 18th Century and was the largest urban planning project after Hanseong (Seoul). It boasts a 5.7 kilometer-long castle wall with elaborate urban infrastructure and annexes. [...]
