By: Talia Salem As an organization that is focused on certifying sustainable standards in the travel industry, the topic of sustainable tourism is very near and dear to our hearts. Global Sustainable Tourism Council hopes that one day sustainable tourism will no longer be ideal, but rather be the normal mode of operating. Each [...]
UPDATE – The application period is now closed. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) will select up to 10 destinations to pilot test the second phase of its new Destination Criteria, and encourages applications before the February 15, 2013 deadline. Overseen by GSTC’s Destination Working Group and managed by NGO partner Sustainable Travel [...]
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently announced that the Travelife Standard for Tour Operators and Travel Agents has achieved ‘recognized’ certification status. This is the first standard for tour operators and travel agents to receive certification from the GSTC. The awarded status benchmarks its commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently announced that the Standard of Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) in South Africa, has attained the organization’s ‘recognized’ status. The awarded status benchmarks its public commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and services recognized by the GSTC. FTT has committed to using the GSTC Criteria – the first [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently announced that Japan Ecolodge Association (ECOLA) has attained the organization’s ‘recognized’ certification status for its Japan Environmentally Sustainable Accommodations International Standard (ESAIS). The awarded status benchmarks its public commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and services recognized by the GSTC. ECOLA has committed to using the GSTC Criteria [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) recently announced that the Travelife Sustainability System for Hotels and Accommodations has achieved ‘recognized’ certification status. The awarded status benchmarks its commitment to promote sustainable tourism products and services recognized by the GSTC. Travelife has committed to using the GSTC Criteria – the first and only global framework for [...]
Update – The deadline for applications has been extended to March 15, 2013. New Sustainability Criteria for Destinations: Public Consultation Phase 2 The Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Criteria for Destinations are designed to direct destination managers, communities, and businesses toward necessary steps to sustain their natural and cultural assets, while [...]
GSTC Third Annual Meeting Open Forum: Morning Overview From left: Gwen Migita, Charles Arden-Clarke, Leilani Latimer, Erika Harms, Kelly Bricker, Shannon Stowell, Jane Ashton, Mila Dahle The third annual Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) meeting was held in Washington D.C. from September 26-29th, 2012. The GSTC has tripled its membership in the [...]
As part of GSTC’s Annual Meeting, we are hosting training courses for our members and guests to share best practices, tools and latest trends in the realm of sustainable tourism on September 28-29. We’re bringing together experts in the field so that you’ll have an opportunity to learn from them about destination criteria and the GSTC [...]
As part of GSTC’s Annual Meeting, we are hosting a series of hands-on workshops for sustainable tourism practitioners and destinations on the morning of September 27, 2012. We’re bringing together experts in the field so that you’ll have an opportunity to learn practical tips on how to best manage, measure and market your sustainability in [...]
We’re excited for GSTC’s Annual Meeting and Open Forum, coming up soon on September 26-29, 2012 in Washington, DC! Not only will you have an opportunity to meet experts, learn first hand about the destination sustainability criteria, and take away practical tips to better measure and market your sustainability, but you’ll be able to do [...]
Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Spanish Canary Islands, known for its biological wealth (nearly 100 species found nowhere else but this single island), quaint fishing villages, volcanic landscape, year-round sun and lovely beaches. Lanzarote’s role as an Early Adopter of the GSTC’s Destination Criteria is a natural next step for a place that’s been [...]
Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Spanish Canary Islands, known for its biological wealth (nearly 100 species found nowhere else but this single island), quaint fishing villages, volcanic landscape, year-round sun and lovely beaches. Lanzarote’s role as an Early Adopter of the GSTC’s Destination Criteria is a natural next step for a place that’s been [...]
In a veritable sea of white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, St. Kitts & Nevis stand out from the Caribbean crowd: Their big draw for travelers is a rich cultural history. People come to see the capital’s Georgian architecture; to explore Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and to ride the “sugar train,” a [...]
The granite peaks and spindly pine trees gamely clinging to sheer cliffs that make up the Huangshan landscape are famous to every China citizen; it is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations—seeing two-and-a-half million visitors every year—and has long been a famous source of inspiration for artists and writers (indeed, it was the [...]
The Norwegian fjords have a tourism history dating back to 1850. The area is known for its pristine natural beauty and its stunning fjords and has won many accolades. In 2006, two of its fjords were named among the world’s best-cared-for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in 2009 the region was rated the world’s most iconic [...]
As far as African safaris go, there are a few destinations that rise above the rest, famous for their abundant wildlife and magical settings. The Okavango Delta is one of those destinations. The region’s admittance to the GSTC’s Early-Adopter program is a further step on the path to sustainability, seeking to minimize impacts while maximizing [...]
Lanzarote's Jardin de Cactus Part of Spain but geographically closest to Africa, the Canary Islands are a popular vacation destination for Europeans. Lanazrote is the easternmost of the Canaries, known for its biological wealth (nearly 100 species found nowhere else but this single island), quaint fishing villages, volcanic landscape, year-round sun and [...]
GSTC member Zeitz Foundation shares with us the story of community involvement, environmental protection, education and promoting the local agricultural economy by building biojardineras (artificial wetlands) to manage waste water in Chimirol, Costa Rica. This was the first project of its kind in Costa Rica involving the partnership of a private company (Hotel Monte Azul) with [...]
GSTC is pleased to announce the results of its recent elections for five open positions on the Board of Directors. The elected members of the board are: Dr. Jiwei Xu, Chair of the Mt. Huangshan Administrative Committee; Heidi van der Watt, Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism-South Africa; Gwen Migita, Vice President of Sustainability for [...]
