Latest GSTC News and Updates

20 09, 2024

Incentives for Tour Operators in Uttar Pradesh, India: 50% reimbursement of certification fees by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies

Stefi2024-09-20T15:29:15+08:00September 20th, 2024|

In a bid to promote sustainable tourism, the Uttar Pradesh government in India has introduced specific incentives for responsible tourism businesses under its Tourism Policy 2022-2032. Among the key benefits is a 50% reimbursement of certification fees established for tour operators for obtaining GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification through a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body. [...]

18 09, 2024

Statement from GSTC regarding the Travalyst Accommodations Program

Stefi2024-09-19T15:39:25+08:00September 18th, 2024|

Many GSTC members and stakeholders seek GSTC’s views on Travalyst’s recent publication of their “certification”-based accommodations initiative. They appreciate that in 2016 GSTC launched the first and still-only tourism-based accreditation service for placing marks on certification bodies that provide solid evidence of competence, rigor, and impartiality. This statement is provided in response to that interest [...]

18 09, 2024

Destination Stewardship Report – Volume 5, Issue 1

Tiffany Chan2024-09-18T00:14:49+08:00September 18th, 2024|

Destination Stewardship Report May - August 2024 (Volume 5, Issue 1) 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 [...]

17 09, 2024

Successful GSTC Hotel Sustainability Training in partnership with Agoda & USAID Empowers Industry Professionals in Cebu, Philippines

Stefi2024-09-17T16:42:37+08:00September 17th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) Hotel Sustainability Training for Industry Professionals, organized in partnership with Agoda and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), successfully concluded on the 6th of September 2024. This two-day training held in Cebu, Philippines, aimed to equip hoteliers with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement sustainable tourism [...]

13 09, 2024

GSTC was present at Hotelga 2024 held in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Stefi2024-09-13T19:29:52+08:00September 13th, 2024|

Hotelga, an event for Latin America's hospitality and gastronomy industries organized by Fehgra (The Argentine Hotel and Gastronomy Business Federation), AHT (The Argentine Hotel and Tourism Association), and Messe Frankfurt Argentina, took place from August 28 to 30, 2024, at La Rural Trade Center in Buenos Aires. The event brought together professionals, entrepreneurs, and [...]

11 09, 2024

HRS Group joins GSTC

Stefi2024-09-11T20:29:24+08:00September 11th, 2024|

HRS Group has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). HRS, a global corporate lodging and payment technology platform and developer of the Green Stay Initiative, is now a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. HRS’ focus on developing new technologies that efficiently serve business travelers and corporate hotel [...]

9 09, 2024

tiket.com joins GSTC

Stefi2024-09-09T16:30:49+08:00September 9th, 2024|

tiket.com becomes a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). A leading online travel agent (OTA) and lifestyle app with over 50 million users globally, tiket.com, has officially joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The platform serves as a comprehensive online marketplace, offering a wide range of products and services, including flights, [...]

5 09, 2024

Petra joins GSTC

Stefi2024-09-05T18:34:56+08:00September 5th, 2024|

Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Located in the rugged mountains of southern Jordan, Petra is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world and was declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Petra is located 240 km south [...]

4 09, 2024

Tobu Top Tours joins GSTC

Stefi2024-09-04T15:02:33+08:00September 4th, 2024|

Tobu Top Tours has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Tobu Top Tours, a travel agency in Japan, offers an extensive range of travel services and experiences. The company provides online reservations for hotels and various tours, catering to both domestic and international travelers. Tobu Top Tours is part [...]

29 08, 2024

Travel Nevada joins Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Stefi2024-08-29T14:55:13+08:00August 29th, 2024|

Establishing commitment to sustainable tourism activities in the Silver State Located in the American West, Nevada is a state of contrasts. From the snow-capped mountain peaks of Lake Tahoe and the Ruby Mountains to the stunning desert terrain found in the southern portion of the state, Nevada serves up remarkable views along every bend [...]

26 08, 2024

Comune di Siena joins GSTC

Stefi2024-08-26T14:53:29+08:00August 26th, 2024|

Comune di Siena has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The Comune di Siena is a municipal entity located in the Tuscany region of Italy. Known for its rich history, Siena is distinguished by its well-preserved medieval architecture and cultural heritage. The municipality manages various aspects of local governance, [...]

26 08, 2024

GSTC Announces the Results of its 2024 Board of Directors Election

Stefi2024-08-27T23:11:59+08:00August 26th, 2024|

The GSTC Board of Directors plays an integral role in the leadership of the organization. Most seats on the board are filled via annual elections of and by current members of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The GSTC Election Committee has validated the votes and released the results of the 2024 election. Two board [...]

21 08, 2024

Successful GSTC Hotel Sustainability Training in partnership with Agoda & USAID Empowers Industry Professionals in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Stefi2024-08-21T19:28:16+08:00August 21st, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) Hotel Sustainability Training for Industry Professionals, organized in partnership with Agoda and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), successfully concluded on August 2nd, 2024. This two-day training, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka aimed to equip hoteliers with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement sustainable tourism practices [...]

21 08, 2024

Dream&Charme is now GSTC-Accredited

Stefi2024-08-21T14:58:50+08:00August 21st, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Dream&Charme has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status. Dream&Charme is an Italy-based international certification body with headquarters in Milan, Italy. The company, founded in 2006, is dedicated to maintaining high standards in the hospitality industry, focusing on sustainable practices and hospitality reliability across [...]

16 08, 2024

The GSTC is saddened by the loss of Melissa Tilling

Stefi2024-08-16T16:08:44+08:00August 16th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and its members are very saddened by the loss of Melissa Tilling, GSTC Member, Founder and Chief Executive of Charitable Travel and Sustainable Journeys, and CEO of the Charitable Travel Fund. Melissa was a prominent figure in the travel industry with over 30 years of experience and a [...]

14 08, 2024

GSTC to Develop New GSTC Criteria for Food Service Providers in Tourism

Stefi2024-08-14T19:22:49+08:00August 14th, 2024|

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), with support from the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), is further developing the GSTC Criteria, the global standards for sustainable tourism, with a new set for tourism food service providers (official name to be determined during the development process). This new set of GSTC Criteria will [...]

13 08, 2024

GSTC was present at Busan’s International Tourism City Forum

Stefi2024-08-13T21:36:49+08:00August 13th, 2024|

Busan International Tourism City Forum with UN Tourism, held the 8th of August 2024 at the Busan Bexco Convention in South Korea, brought together industry leaders, local businesses, and international experts from the tourism industry. Hosted by Busan Metropolitan City Tourism Association and with UN Tourism, Busan Tourism Organization and Busan Tourism Future Network [...]

5 08, 2024

GSTC Attraction Criteria 1st Public Consultation Report and 2nd Public Consultation is now open

Stefi2024-08-13T18:26:56+08:00August 5th, 2024|

GSTC’s first round of public consultation for the GSTC Attraction Criteria, which took place from 15th March to May 15th, 2024, has been completed. The key findings report is available here. The GSTC Attraction Criteria aims to serve as the global sustainability standards for the Attraction industry. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) formed [...]

30 07, 2024

GSTC was present at the ICCA Global Association Forum 2024

Stefi2024-07-30T15:03:02+08:00July 30th, 2024|

The third in-person ICCA Global Association Forum took place from June 24 to 26, 2024, in Cancun, Mexico. It brought together association meeting planners, senior association representatives, and meeting suppliers worldwide. The Forum offered valuable insights, practical tools, and resources for the association meetings industry. Attendees engaged in sessions on topics such as unlocking [...]

30 07, 2024

Booking.com Sustainable Travel Report 2024

Stefi2024-07-30T00:44:35+08:00July 30th, 2024|

Booking.com's 2024 Sustainable Travel Report sheds light on the evolving landscape of sustainable travel, emphasizing the need for cross-industry collaboration to address ongoing challenges. This annual report, now in its ninth edition, draws from extensive research involving over 31,000 travelers across 34 countries. It provides a comprehensive overview of current traveler attitudes, perceptions, and [...]