The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by Nikko Natural Science Museum for their employees and locals, concluded successfully. It was held in Nikko City, Japan, from the 19th to the 21st of January 2025. A total of 17 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, led the [...]
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is based on a mutual interest to advance a more resilient and sustainable travel and tourism industry through collaborative activities. These initiatives include the exchange of information, joint outreach efforts, and coordinated events [...]
Destination Stewardship Report September - December 2024 (Volume 5, Issue 2) The Destination Stewardship Report is a collaboration between the Destination Stewardship Center, Center for Responsible Travel, and Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Our goal is to provide practical information and insights useful to anyone whose work or interests involve improving destination stewardship in a post-pandemic [...]
The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025 is being held under the theme ‘Unity in motion - Shaping ASEAN’s Tourism Tomorrow” from the 15th to the 20th of January 2025, at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, in Johor, Malaysia. GSTC CEO, Randy Durband participated in the session titled “Charting Tourism for ASEAN: Trends Defining the [...]
Overview GSTC has developed a credible assurance program for hotels, tour operators, and destinations and has been extending it to MICE and Attractions. The growth of the GSTC Assurance Program requires qualified senior managers with deep knowledge and experience in accreditation. See the GSTC Accreditation Senior Manager Job Description for full details. Roles & [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by the Tokyo Mountain Side DMC Co, for their stakeholders concluded successfully. It was held in Akiruno City, Tokyo, Japan, from the 7th to the 9th of January 2025. Nineteen participants attended the training, which was delivered by GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the International MICE Summit (IMS) held in Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 15 to 17, 2024. The Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA) hosted the event. With a three-day interactive program that featured plenary sessions, panel [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is proud to announce the launch of its new training program tailored specifically for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. This milestone follows the publication of the GSTC MICE Criteria last year, marking a significant step in promoting sustainable practices across events globally. The new GSTC [...]
Portrait Milano is the 1st Hotel in Milano, Italy to obtain GSTC Certification by Dream&Charme, a GSTC-Accredited certification body. The GSTC Certification is based on the globally recognized standard for sustainable tourism, the GSTC Hotel Criteria. Portrait Milano becomes the 1st Hotel in Milano, Italy to obtain GSTC Certification by Dream&Charme, a GSTC-Accredited certification [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in partnership with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), announced in August its plans to expand the GSTC Criteria, the global standards for sustainable tourism, by developing a new set specifically for tourism-related food service providers. These forthcoming criteria, with an official name to be determined, [...]
2025 Eligibility for GSTC-Recognized Standards and Required Accreditation The GSTC Standards represent the global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. Certification is a crucial aspect of implementing these standards, involving third-party assessments to ensure compliance with the standards. While the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) does not conduct certifications directly, it accredits Certification Bodies that [...]
At GSTC we work with partners to measure and offset the carbon emissions associated with our conferences. The GSTC2023 Global Conference, held in Antalya, Türkiye, brought together 350 tourism professionals from 51 countries, providing a valuable platform for advancing sustainable tourism practices while adhering to our environmental responsibility. The carbon footprint refers to the [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by Amakusa Sustainable Tourism Council, held from December 17th to 19th, 2024, concluded successfully. It took place at a historical site of an early educational center in Amakusa City, Kumamoto, Japan, characterized by numerous museums and World Heritage churches across the islands. A [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is thrilled to celebrate the addition of numerous new members in 2024, all of whom are committed to advancing sustainability in their respective tourism activities. Find below a comprehensive summary of our 2024 new destination and large industry members, and click on the link for further details about [...]
The 2023 Responsible Business Report from Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) showcases the company’s commitment to sustainable development and responsible tourism. RHG has been a GSTC Member since 2022, and this comprehensive report outlines RHG’s progress and strategic objectives as it strives to meet its net zero goal by 2050 while delivering sustainable hospitality experiences. [...]
Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s leading travel platform and a Platinum Sponsor of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), has been supporting sustainable tourism by sponsoring GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Programs since 2022. Through this collaboration, Traveloka has helped empower tourism stakeholders across the region with comprehensive education on the GSTC Criteria, the global standards for [...]
To encourage accommodation providers, including tourist hotels, regular hotels, and B&B providers, to enhance service quality, implement accessible and inclusive facilities, adopt sustainable environmental management systems, and offer smart service spaces, Taiwan Tourism Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has introduced the "Guidelines for Subsidies to Enhance the Quality of Accommodation Services". [...]
Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) has announced that all six of its Australian properties have gained accredited certification, after getting all their properties in Singapore also certified. These six properties are the first in the Oceania region to attain this global certification. PPHG is the wholly-owned hotel subsidiary of UOL Group Limited (UOL), one [...]
The first GSTC Latin American and Caribbean Summit in Santa Marta, Colombia, served as a platform for promoting and sharing sustainable tourism practices. After the event, Tayrona’s National Park (PNN Tayrona) contributed with an area of plantation to the restoration of tropical dry forests, one of the most endangered ecosystems in Colombia. These forests [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the 2024 Ulsan Ecotourism Forum, held on the 3rd of December, 2024, at the Tannibay Hotel in Ulsan, South Korea. With over 170 participants, the forum provided a dynamic platform to discuss the city’s transformation through technological innovation, cultural integration and sustainability. Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, [...]
