The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the revision process for the GSTC Industry Standard for Hotels and Tour Operators, version 3. As a result, the previous single standard (GSTC Industry Standard), which included two sets of suggested performance indicators for hotels and tour operators, has now evolved into two distinct standards: the GSTC Hotel Standard and the GSTC Tour Operator Standard.
With this important milestone, there are now a total of five published GSTC Standards:
- GSTC Destination Standard for public policy-makers and destination managers.
- GSTC Hotel Standard for hotels and other types of accommodations, regardless of their size and location.
- GSTC Tour Operator Standard for tour operators of all types and sizes.
- GSTC MICE Standard for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions.
- GSTC Attraction Standard for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, or natural and cultural parks.
The GSTC Food and Beverage Service Provider Standard is currently under development and will be launched in early 2026.
“This fourth revision marks an important step forward in our ongoing effort to ensure that the GSTC Standards remain relevant, practical, and globally applicable. By separating the Industry Standard into two distinct standards for hotels on one side, and tour operators on the other, we are better supporting the diverse realities of tourism businesses around the world while maintaining the same vision: to strengthen the holistic approach to sustainability management that balances environmental integrity, cultural respect, and economic viability within the tourism sector.”, says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.
The GSTC Standards serve as the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should strive to achieve in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism fulfills its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
GSTC Standards & SDGs
Each GSTC Standard serves as a practical and comprehensive tool to guide organizations, destinations, and businesses toward more sustainable practices aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The GSTC Standards outline what should be done, rather than how to do it or whether the goal has been achieved. This role is fulfilled by performance indicators, associated educational materials, and access to tools for implementation, all of which are an indispensable complement to the GSTC Standards.
GSTC Standard Revision Process
The revision process was carried out through an inclusive and collaborative approach, involving public consultations and expert input to ensure that the standards reflect current global priorities and best practices in sustainable tourism. By dividing the former Industry Standard into two separate ones, GSTC reaffirms its commitment to clarity, applicability, and continuous improvement. An annex was also added at the end of both standards, providing additional guidelines for easier understanding of certain criteria.
The main changes to the former GSTC Industry Standard after the revision are summarized below:
Separation of the Hotel and Tour Operator Standards: The standards for hotel operations and those for tour operators have been formally separated and are no longer classified under a unified set of Industry Standards.
Measurable Indicators: The framework mandates the inclusion of specific, quantifiable, and measurable indicators to ensure objectives are clearly defined and performance tracking is effective.
Providing Guidelines for a More Detailed Interpretation of the Indicators: Comprehensive guidelines will be provided to facilitate a precise and detailed interpretation of the measurable indicators, ensuring consistent application and understanding across all entities.
The Revision Reports are available for those who wish to examine the main changes made from the GSTC Industry Standard to the GSTC Hotel Standard here and from the GSTC Tour Operator Standard here.
A visual for the Standard revision process is shown below.
The GSTC Industry Standard Revision Terms of Reference related to the fourth revision of the Industry Standard can be found here.
The GSTC Standards are revised every few years. The revision process includes two public consultations, allowing anyone interested to comment. The process, which is based on the GSTC Standard Setting Manual v3.0, was developed with reference to the ISEAL Code. For more information regarding the GSTC’s Standards development and revisions, click here.
Acknowledgements
GSTC would like to thank everyone for their contribution and involvement during the review process. Their valuable feedback and expertise were essential in ensuring that the revised standards continue to serve as a means of advancing sustainability in tourism worldwide.
*The GSTC Industry Standard (GSTC-I, previously known as GSTC Industry Criteria) was the third version of the GSTC Standard for the Tourism Industry. The first version (GSTC-H&TOv1) was released in 2008, and the second version (GSTC-H&TOv2) was released in 2012.
Note: As the owner of the GSTC Standards, the GSTC reserves the right to assess and charge fees for the commercial use of the GSTC Standards.
