Photo: Dr. Mihee Kang, Assurance Director of GSTC, in the GSTC Auditor training in Antalya, Tükiye, during the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2023.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has revised the GSTC Accreditation Manual for Certification of Hotel/Accommodation & Tour Operator, and version 3.0 was approved on 12 July 2023. The Manual is available on the following webpage GSTC Accreditation Manual v.3.0.
For a 60-day period between February 10, 2023 and April 10, 2023, the GSTC invited the GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies to contribute their comments and suggestions for the revision during the consultation.
The main changes to the GSTC Accreditation Manual are summarized below:
- A more precise description and expression of “Section 16. Requirements for Tour Operators”
- Adding a sub scope of Accreditation: Section 17. Tour Product Certification
The revised Accreditation Manual v3.0 will come into effect on October 13, 2023 with a 3-month transition period. It allows all parties involved to familiarize themselves with the changed expressions of ‘Section 16. Requirements for Tour Operators’ and new certification sub-scope of ‘Section 17. Tour Products Certification’, complete the necessary administrative tasks and adjust and implement new procedures.
The Tour Product is categorized as a sub-scope within the technical scope of Tour Operator. In order to conduct Tour Product certifications, GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies who wish to engage in this process are requested to formally apply to ASI.
GSTC would like to thank everyone for their contribution and involvement during the review process.
Learn more about Accreditation for Certification Bodies to Certify to the GSTC Criteria or to a GSTC-Recognized Standard here.
