GSTC-Committed

GSTC-Committed

GSTC-Committed refers to an organization’s pledge to fully implement the GSTC Criteria in its policy and operational guidelines. This process involves engaging with their stakeholders, including staff, partners, suppliers, or members. By committing to the GSTC Criteria, an organization can plan and implement internal improvements while also influencing its stakeholders and supply chain.

Gaining GSTC-Committed status confirms that an organization has adopted the GSTC Criteria with a clearly documented plan and implementation, which the GSTC reviewed. GSTC-Committed does not ensure certification, accreditation, or recognition, but only that the GSTC Criteria is implemented to the organization’s policy, plan, and operation.

GSTC-Committed Organizations

Booking.com uses the GSTC Criteria as a tool of communicating with its accommodation providers about sustainability and as a basis of its Travel Sustainable program that enables accommodation providers of all kinds to display their sustainability efforts, no matter where they are on their individual sustainability journey. Customers can filter their accommodation searches using Travel Sustainable, and with three distinct levels, it recognises the sustainability efforts made by properties around the world; in addition to a specific designation for third-party certified properties.

The Recognized System of Booking.com will gradually include more the GSTC Criteria in Travel Sustainable so that more accommodation providers can follow sustainable practices based on GSTC Industry Criteria.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Having grown from its Asian roots into a global brand, the Group now operates 38 hotels and 11 residences in 25 countries and territories, with each property reflecting the Group’s oriental heritage, local culture and unique design. Mandarin Oriental has a strong pipeline of hotels and residences under development, and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

Further information is available on Mandarin Oriental’s Social Media channels and website: www.mandarinoriental.com, including the Media Centre.

Since pioneering Asia Pacific’s first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with over 950 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott’s presence extends across more than 220 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA.

A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator with accommodation offerings that span serviced residences, coliving properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Quest, Somerset, The Crest Collection, The Unlimited Collection, Preference, Fox, Harris, POP!, Vertu and Yello. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott’s loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties.

Click here to read more about Ascott CARES, Ascott’s sustainability programme.

Application information

Eligible applicants

Being a GSTC member for more than one year and a continuous supporter of the GSTC’s various activities in different ways. Prior understanding of GSTC Criteria through the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program, and/or any other firm engagements with GSTC in place with a record of stability shall be required.

GSTC-Committed for user of the GSTC Industry Criteria (GSTC-I)

  • An organization that systematically applies the Criteria for the internal processes for employees, businesses, and properties,
  • Influences its external clients, partners, or suppliers to apply and implement their sustainability practices based on the GSTC Industry Criteria and/or:
  • Public organizations (National, Provincial/State governments for policy-making)

GSTC-Committed for user of the GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D)

  • Public organizations (National, Provincial/State governments for policy-making) and/or:
  • An organization that Influences its destinations, tourism businesses, and their suppliers to encourage their sustainability practices based on the GSTC Destination Criteria

Non-eligible applicants

User of the GSTC Industry Criteria (GSTC-I) that cannot be GSTC-Committed

  • GSTC-Recognized standard owners,
  • Organizations using their own standards for their business or communication with their clients (e.g., Certification Body, Organizations having the program of award(s) or label(s) without calling them a certification), and
  • Certified business to another standard, including a GSTC-Recognized standard

User of the GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D) that cannot be GSTC-Committed

  • GSTC-Recognized standard owners,
  • Destination management organizations(DMOs) and Destination management companies (DMCs), and
  • System service providers (non-public sector)

Fee

Application fee: USD $4,500 (one time fee)

Membership fee: according to the membership category (annual fee)

Application Process

  1. Confirm your eligibility for the application. If you are not sure, please contact the GSTC Secretariat
  2. Submit application form. Please contact the GSTC Secretariat for the form
  3. Reviewing by GSTC Secretariat
  4. Receive an answer and comments by email

For those interested in applying for GSTC-Committed, please contact criteria[at]gstcouncil.org.