Latest GSTC News and Updates

14 11, 2024

GSTC is officially an Association Member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF)

Stefi2024-12-13T18:39:48+08:00November 14th, 2024|

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) is a global association of accreditation bodies and other entities interested in conformity assessment across management systems, products, processes, services, personnel, validation, verification, and similar conformity assessment programs. IAF primary function is to develop a unified worldwide program of conformity assessment, aimed at reducing risk for businesses and their [...]

14 11, 2024

Ascott Limited’s 2023 Sustainability Report

ane@gstcouncil.org2025-01-22T19:50:11+08:00November 14th, 2024|

In line with the Ascott Limited 2022 Sustainability Report and through Ascott CARES, its sustainability program, they drive its environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts to safeguard the environment, uplift lives and build trust with its stakeholders. Ascott Limited's 2023 report reflects their ongoing efforts towards meeting Ascott CARES commitments across its global portfolio [...]

14 11, 2024

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) publishes new GSTC Attraction Criteria

Stefi2025-01-09T19:37:43+08:00November 14th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) is pleased to announce that the GSTC Attraction Criteria has been published. Developed with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for attractions - such as theme parks, museums, national parks, etc. with the aim to guide businesses toward implementing sustainable practices in response to the growing [...]

13 11, 2024

How to apply for the Early Adopter Program for the GSTC Attraction Criteria

Stefi2024-11-13T11:16:25+08:00November 13th, 2024|

GSTC has designed the Early Adopter Program for the Attraction Criteria to support the development of the applicable implementation of the GSTC Attraction Criteria. Along with the recent new set of criteria, applications are now open for the Early Adopter Program. This two-year program is a valuable opportunity for industry stakeholders to actively engage [...]

13 11, 2024

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council launches the Early Adopter Program for the GSTC Attraction Criteria

Stefi2024-11-13T11:20:16+08:00November 13th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) launched the new GSTC Attraction Criteria in November 2024. GSTC designed the Early Adopter Program to facilitate the practical implementation of the GSTC Attraction Criteria, supporting their development and effective application in the industry. The GSTC Attraction Early Adopter’s Program will begin this January 2025. Applications are now [...]

12 11, 2024

NTUC LearningHub and The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) sign MOU

Stefi2024-11-12T12:26:35+08:00November 12th, 2024|

[Photo credit: Singapore National Trades Union Congress] The partnership aims to equip Singapore’s tourism professionals with essential sustainability skills, aligning training with global sustainability standards for tourism. The partnership also supports key sustainability roadmaps for the Singapore tourism sector and aims to meet evolving demands, aligning with Singapore’s strategic sustainability goals. NTUC [...]

12 11, 2024

Destination Wayfinder Framework & Standard Gains GSTC-Recognized Standard Status

Stefi2024-11-12T22:39:23+08:00November 12th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) is pleased to announce that the ‘Destination Wayfinder Framework & Standard’ has gained GSTC-Recognized Standard status, meaning that it has been fully recognized as equivalent to the GSTC Destination Criteria Version 2.0. The Wayfinder, powered by Miles Partnership, is a destination management tool enabling tourism organizations to measure, [...]

11 11, 2024

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Introduces It’s Zero Tolerance Policy

Stefi2024-11-11T22:01:43+08:00November 11th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce its Zero Tolerance Policy to address critical issues impacting the tourism industry, including child labor, human exploitation, discrimination, wildlife abuse, and the unnecessary use of single-use plastics. Throughout its history, the GSTC has championed a common language for sustainable tourism, known as the GSTC [...]

11 11, 2024

Trip.com joins GSTC’s Market Access Program

Stefi2024-11-11T16:49:59+08:00November 11th, 2024|

Trip.com now highlights hotels and accommodations certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body Trip.com, one of the world’s leading online travel service providers, has introduced a new feature that highlights sustainable hotels and accommodations certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body. This initiative aims to make it easier for travelers to identify and book sustainable hotels/accommodations, [...]

9 11, 2024

GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training in Wakkanai, Japan, concluded successfully

Stefi2025-02-03T22:20:43+08:00November 9th, 2024|

The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by the Hokkaido District Transport Bureau for their employees and stakeholders, concluded successfully. A total of 18 participants successfully attended the training held from the 6th to the 8th of November, 2024, in Wakkanai, Hokkaido, Japan. The three-day training was led by GSTC Trainer [...]

7 11, 2024

GSTC at World Economic Forum Executive Roundtable

Stefi2024-12-16T19:01:24+08:00November 7th, 2024|

GSTC CEO Randy Durband participated at the World Economic Forum Executive Roundtable on the Future of Travel and Tourism and other sessions as part of their Urban Transformation Forum held at the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, USA, in October 2024. This Roundtable gathered 25 prominent leaders from the public and private sectors to [...]

7 11, 2024

GSTC Participation at COP16 Biodiversity in Cali, Colombia

ane@gstcouncil.org2025-01-27T21:55:42+08:00November 7th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, from October 21st to November 1st, 2024. Jorge Moller, GSTC’s Program Director for Latin America and Tatiana Agudelo Monguí, GSTC’s Membership Coordinator, actively engaged with the international community to address [...]

5 11, 2024

The City of Sapporo joins GSTC

Stefi2024-11-05T17:43:58+08:00November 5th, 2024|

The City of Sapporo has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Sapporo City, with a population of 1.96 million, is the economic and cultural center of Hokkaido, combining urban development with natural surroundings. The city receives visitors from both Japan and abroad, offering scenic landscapes across all four seasons. [...]

4 11, 2024

“Policy Pathways Towards a More Sustainable Cruise Tourism Sector” – A Blue Tourism Initiative

Stefi2024-11-04T16:55:12+08:00November 4th, 2024|

The working document “Policy Pathways Towards a More Sustainable Cruise Tourism Sector,” led by the Blue Tourism Initiative has been released. Representing GSTC, Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Director for the Mediterranean Region, provided valuable insights and feedback on sustainable practices within the cruise industry by reviewing and contributing to the working document. On October [...]

3 11, 2024

GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training in Tokyo, sponsored by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau, concluded successfully

Stefi2025-02-03T20:08:45+08:00November 3rd, 2024|

The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course sponsored by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB) held from the 28th of October to the 31st of October concluded successfully. A total of 21 participants successfully attended the training in Tokyo. The sessions were led by GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, a Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School. Participants [...]

2 11, 2024

Luigi Cabrini, Chair of GSTC was present at the 10th Peruvian Tourism Congress – Conpetur Cusco 2024

Stefi2024-11-02T20:28:01+08:00November 2nd, 2024|

Located in the Andean highlands and renowned for its historical significance as the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco served as the backdrop for the 10th Peruvian Tourism Congress CONPETUR 2024 held on the 24th and 25th of October 2024. Luigi Cabrini, Chair of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council [...]

1 11, 2024

GSTC published revised GSTC Accreditation Manual for Certification of Hotel/Accommodation & Tour Operator

Stefi2024-11-01T20:40:06+08:00November 1st, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has revised the GSTC Accreditation Manual for Certification of Hotel/Accommodation & Tour Operator. Version 4.0, now titled the GSTC Accreditation Manual for Certification Bodies - Industry: Hotel/Accommodation & Tour Operator, was approved on November 1, 2024. The Manual is available on the following webpage: GSTC Accreditation Documents.Given the dynamic [...]

30 10, 2024

GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training in Aizuwakamatsu, Japan, concluded successfully

Stefi2025-02-25T21:44:25+08:00October 30th, 2024|

The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by the AiCT Consortium General Incorporated Association for their tourism stakeholders in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima, Japan, concluded successfully. From October 16th to the 18th, 2024, 26 participants attended the three-day training in Japanese. GSTC Trainer Mami Futagami, Dr. Professor Emeritus at Meijo University, led [...]

30 10, 2024

GSTC was present at FHA-HoReCa 2024

Stefi2024-10-30T18:02:42+08:00October 30th, 2024|

Rita Kuan, Market Development Manager at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), took the stage at the FHA-HoReCa 2024 event, held in Singapore from October 22 to 25. In her presentation titled “Embark on a Journey of Sustainable Tourism with GSTC,” she shared her insights on the importance of the GSTC Criteria, the global [...]

29 10, 2024

GSTC Chair, Luigi Cabrini at HIC Summit 2024 in Ibiza, Spain

Stefi2024-10-29T20:10:15+08:00October 29th, 2024|

HIC Summit 2024, held in the vibrant setting of Ibiza, Spain, brought together an array of professionals, destinations, scientists, and businesses to engage in meaningful dialogues focused on this year’s theme “Innovation, Tourism, and Regenerative Culture” to explore how these elements can shape the future of the industry. The HIC Forum is the main [...]