The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) launched the new GSTC MICE Criteria last March 2024, which is divided into three sub-sectors: Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. GSTC designed the Early Adopter Program to facilitate the practical implementation of the GSTC MICE Criteria, supporting their development and effective application in the industry.
The GSTC MICE Early Adopter’s Program began this June 2024. For the following two years, three key players will collaborate closely and network, sharing their vision and implementation plans to enhance sustainability in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.
The four entities participating in this initiative are:
- Resorts World Sentosa (Venue)
- Constellar Venues / Singapore EXPO (Venue)
- Costa Rica Convention Center (Venue)
- Unearthed Productions (Event Organizer)
Throughout the program, several activities are planned to advance sustainable practices within the MICE sector:
- Adopting the GSTC MICE Criteria: Participants will be guided to steer MICE businesses toward sustainable practices.
- Training for Awareness: Both public and private sector stakeholders will receive comprehensive training to raise awareness and deepen their understanding of the criteria.
- Developing a Roadmap: A detailed, step-by-step roadmap will be created to facilitate the application of the criteria within their various MICE operations.
- Creating Pathways Toward Sustainability: Efforts will focus on identifying opportunities and addressing challenges, paving the way for a more sustainable future in the MICE industry.
Through these efforts, the program aims to foster a collaborative environment where knowledge and best practices are shared, driving significant progress toward a more sustainable future for the MICE industry.
The GSTC Criteria serve as the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. The Criteria are used for education and awareness-raising, policy-making for businesses and government agencies and other organization types, measurement and evaluation, and as a basis for certification. They are the result of a worldwide effort to develop a common language about sustainability in tourism. They are arranged in four pillars: (A) Sustainable management; (B) Socioeconomic impacts; (C) Cultural impacts; (D) Environmental impacts.
The GSTC Criteria indicate what should be done, not how to do it or whether the goal has been achieved. This role is fulfilled by performance indicators, associated educational materials, and access to tools for implementation, all of which are an indispensable complement to the GSTC Criteria.
[Note: Participation in the GSTC MICE Criteria Early Adopter Program does not imply or guarantee to be a mark of assurance such as certification.]
