Following global trends, hoteliers are now moving faster towards more sustainable practices. However, sustainability is a broad topic and taking the first steps might be daunting. To make it easier, Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), shares 6 ways that are crucial in making hotels sustainable: Market Demand for Eco-Friendly - [...]
Ahead of the first GSTC Sustainable Hotel online course (May 27 – June 11), Dr. David Ermen presented key issues hoteliers should focus on beyond plastic straws and reusing towels. The webinar was moderated by Ayako Ezaki, GSTC Training Director. The presentation followed by a Q&A session with David Ermen, Ayako Ezaki, and Roi [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce the publication of its revised GSTC Accreditation Manual version 2.5 approved on 27th April 2021, which will become effective on 15th May 2021. The Manual is available on the following webpage Achieve GSTC Accredited Status. The transition period to the GSTC Accreditation Manual v2.5 runs [...]
Less CO2 emissions, less waste, more green energy: TUI delivered 43 million “greener and fairer” holidays since 2015 84% growth in the number of customers staying in hotels with sustainability certification Sustainability certifications for hotels drive environmental and socio-economic improvements When TUI´s Better Holidays, Better World sustainability strategy was rolled out across the business [...]
The New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a destination member. The New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau is a non-profit, political subdivision of Volusia County Government, established in 1987 that is charged with marketing southeast Volusia County and the cities of: Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, [...]
New York Times: How to Travel More Sustainably Don’t skimp on doing your own research, and be aware that ‘green’ certificates aren’t always all they’re cracked up to be. Looking for a hotel or tour operator that has earned a sustainability label might seem like a good place to start, but the reality isn’t so [...]
Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau (SCC&TB) has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau (SCC&TB) is a non-profit organization that is made up of businesses and organizations that wish to directly benefit from the products and services available to partners. [...]
Booking Holdings released its 2020 Sustainability Report The Booking Holdings 2020 Sustainability Report provides an update on the progress of the company’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility activities from 2020. It includes the results of Booking.com's 2020 research on sustainable travel: "2020 Sustainable Travel Insights". The report contains information and data on different aspects [...]
On April 14th, 2021, ahead of the first cohort of the GSTC Sustainable Business Travel Course (May 27 – June 11, 2021), Horst Bayer and Bernard Harrop shared key trends and applicable examples in a public GSTC Webinar. This public webinar was moderated by Roi Ariel, GSTC General Manager. Recording of the webinar is [...]
Destination Stewardship Report Srping 2021 April-June (Volume 1, Issue 4) The Destination Stewardship Report is an e-quarterly collaboration between the Destination Stewardship Center and Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and in time maybe others. Our goal is to provide practical information and insights useful to anyone whose work or interests involve improving destination stewardship in a [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D) has achieved the ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status. The Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D) which is based on the GSTC Criteria for Destinations, was developed by Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and [...]
Criterion A1: Hotel Sustainability Management System - Implementation Guidance This Guidance document aims at helping hotels get started in fulfilling criterion A1 – Sustainability Management System (SMS) of the GSTC Industry Criteria. GSTC Member Greenview, a leading sustainability consulting and research firm with over a decade of experience working with dozens of hotel companies, [...]
GSTC Announces Expanding Online Training to Sustainable Business Travel and Sustainable Hotel Courses March 26, 2021 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the leading global authority on sustainability standards for travel and tourism, expands its successful Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) to include Sustainable Business Travel courses and Sustainable Hotels courses. The program [...]
Switzerland Tourism Joins GSTC and Announces the Swisstainable Strategy. Switzerland Tourism (ST) is the national tourism board for Switzerland. ST positions Switzerland as a destination standing for quality, naturalness, authenticity, sustainability and modernity, under the overall concept of “Swissness”. To do so, ST develops systematic marketing programs that it implements creatively with its partners [...]
Visit Sweden has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a Destination Member. Visit Sweden is Sweden’s National Tourism Organisation, promoting the destination and Sweden brand to attract more foreign visitors, on short as well as long term. More visitors and longer visits mean business for the Swedish tourism industry, economic growth and [...]
4-week sustainable business travel online course by the GSTC Dates: September 22, 2022 – October 21, 2022 Time: Live sessions at a time suitable for those in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Africa, time zones Where: Online Language: English Weekly live sessions scheduled for the following days, from 09:00 CEST (Central European Time, UTC+2) which is [...]
Treehugger: What Is Sustainable Tourism and Why Is It Important? As people begin to pay more attention to sustainability and the direct and indirect effects of their actions, travel destinations and organizations are following suit. What Makes Tourism Sustainable? The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of [...]
European Travel Commission's new handbook 'Sustainable Tourism Implementation: Framework and Toolkit'European Travel Commission (ETC), representing 32 national tourism organisations in Europe, has published a new handbook ‘Sustainable Tourism Implementation: Framework and Toolkit’ – an ultimate roadmap for European destinations on how to tackle every step on a journey towards sustainable transformation.This handbook is for European [...]
We couldn't meet at ITB Berlin in 2020, but we can in 2021, as ITB Berlin will take place online! If you are attending ITB Berlin NOW, you are welcome to visit the GSTC booth, and correspond with our team that will be there. If you do not have a ticket, you can still visit [...]
Visit València has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a destination member. VISIT VALÈNCIA is a non-profit Foundation with the participation of the València City Council in association with the majority of the local tourism industry. Its goal is the strategic management and promotion of the city of València as a tourist [...]
