The GSTC2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, from April 23rd to April 26th, 2024. The event aims to unite global and local tourism professionals engaged in advancing and advocating for sustainable travel and tourism. This includes participants from the public sector, hotels, tour operators, corporates, online travel agencies, academic institutions, development organizations, non-governmental organizations, consultants, and a variety of other stakeholders.
Themes
Environment
Climate and smart management
Social
Welcoming and inclusive
Governance
Thriving and innovative
Credible Assurance
Program
A mixture of panel discussions and interactive workshops with international and national experts in sustainable tourism as speakers.
Schedule
Monday, April 22nd
Optional pre-conference trainings (Day 1)
Tuesday, April 23rd
Optional pre-conference trainings (Day 2)
Academic Symposium (Registration needed)
Welcome Reception Dinner (for all participants) at the Stockholm City Hall sponsored and hosted by the City of Stockholm.
Wednesday, April 24th
Conference – Day 1 (including lunch) at Cirkus and Hasselbacken
Thursday, April 25th
Conference – Day 2 (including lunch) at Museum of Technology, Maritime Museum, Museum of Ethnography
Farewell dinner (for all participants) at the Vasa Museum
Friday, April 26th
Complimentary tour(s) – see options here
Full program
What will it look like?
If you wonder what GSTC Conferences look like, you can see photos and session recordings from the two previous conferences, the GSTC2023 in Antalya, Türkiye and the GSTC2022 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference in Seville, Spain:
GSTC2023
GSTC2022
Such an incredible amount of content related to ESG, finished with a tremendous Turkish cuisine menu and fantastic local music! Congratulations for the entire organization… Im just thrilled :)
Antonieta Varlese, ESG Americas - Vice President/ CSO - Accor It’s been a great opportunity to participate in such a well-organized, productive event and attend a lot of engaging meetings, inspiring sessions, and panel discussions.
I was also lucky enough to meet wonderful, like-minded people and establish a wide network with international professionals from more than 60 countries which would be great for building new collaborations towards more Sustainability in Travel and Tourism.
Special thanks go to the GSTC team for hosting this event and for their tangible efforts in organization. You’ve proficiently managed to make this experience a remarkable and memorable one!
Ahmed Khaled, Program Manager, Green Star Hotel ProgrammeThank you Sevilla and GSTC for great conference days! Fantastic that so many countries in the world work to lead the way forward to a more sustainable tourism industry.
Linda Mannerby, Senior Sustainability Manager, Visit SwedenWe found the conference to be an enriching experience in every aspect. The platform provided by the GSTC allowed us to significantly expand our network, enabling meaningful conversations and collaborations with like-minded professionals committed to sustainable tourism. The entire three-day event was brilliantly planned and executed, reflecting the GSTC’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism and fostering a global community dedicated to this cause.
Serhan Mert , Chairman of the Board, PrintPlast Smart Card TechnologiesA huge thank you to the GSTC staff and board for putting on such an amazing conference! Many new friends and connections were made, and GreenStep is looking forward to working together to continue advancing the sustainability of the global tourism industry!
GreenStep Solutions Inc.I am glad to have participated in the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference in Seville organized by the GSTC. It is inspiring to gather with so many like-minded professionals all united by the same goal: making tourism a vehicle for change toward a more sustainable world. Sustainability is not only a growing trend. It is becoming THE standard. 🌱
Francesco Piccolo, CFO & Founder, TripGuruThis was my 3rd GSTC conferences and I have to admit, it’s getting more and more popular among sustainable tourism heroes. Great panelists, great location and superb organization 👌
Simon Louvard, Founder & Manager, Lodg'ingThanks to the GSTC team for efficiently organizing the event and making us feel warmly welcomed. Our participation at the GSTC Conference 2023 was truly delightful and it made us feel like an integral part of the sustainability movement.
Aytan Alizamanli, Chief advisor, Azerbaijan State Tourism AgencyKudos to the entire GSTC for an engaging and inspirational Summit. The content and the quality of the presenters were excellent. I left the Summit with rafts of information I am immediately applying to shape WWF’s conservation travel strategies.
Jim Sano, WWF, Vice President - Travel, Tourism and ConservationThe best way to end a busy and restarting year like 2022, and not only in the world of tourism, was to attend the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference in Seville. More than 60 nationalities, among the most representative companies in the world of tourism meet to take a look at the state of sustainability in our sector and the main challenges to be accomplished. A very important appointment of confrontation, exchange and learning.
Enrico Ducrot, Founder, Ecoluxury Retreats of the WorldIt’s been an engaging, enlightening, and fun couple of days in Seville at the GSTC Conference.
Matthew Landkamer, Founding Principal, WhereaboutIt has been intensive, informative, inspirational and interesting week at #GSTC2022 conference in Sevilla, Spain. The greatest thing was to meet people in person after talking with them online the past couple of years. Many plans are now on next steps thanks for face to face networking.
Virpi Aittokoski , Manager, Sustainable Travel FinlandI have enjoyed 2 days of learning from my industry colleagues and experts from around the world at the GSTC Asia Pac conference in Korea. A lot of food for thought! I enjoyed this opportunity to learn the many different wonderful initiatives the conference participants are working on with their respective partners in moving towards our shared goal.
Thanks to the GSTC team and also the Korean team for organizing such a fantastic event. I am looking forward to the next Global Sustainable Tourism Conference!
Benjamin Wong, Co-founder and CEO, TricolageSpeakers
Frederik Reinfeldt
Chairman of the board Visita
Carolina Mendonça
Sustainability Coordinator, Azores DMO
Cheh Hsien Lee
Assistant Chief Executive, Corporate and Sustainability, Sentosa Development Corporation, Singapore
Neil Rogers
Tourism Advisor, Rewilding Europe
Ingunn Sørnes
Special Advisor on Sustainability, Innovation Norway
Catherine Gilvarry
Head of Supply, Hostelworld
Leigh Howard
Chief Operations Officer, Tourism Fiji
Andreas Veilstrup Andersen
CEO and President, Liseberg Group
Travel Information
Weather: April in Stockholm, Sweden
Visa: Do you need a visa to enter Sweden? Find out here.
How to get to Stockholm:
By Air: Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) has direct flights from many European cities.
By Train: Stockholm has direct international connections to and from Norway and Denmark.
Accommodation is the responsibility of the participants.
We highly recommend early booking to secure these discounted rates, and also because a very large event (NordBygg) will take place in Stockholm at the same dates of GSTC2024 which causes a spike in demand around these dates.
Location
Stockholm
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is a captivating city with a rich history and a vibrant modern culture. Founded in the 13th century, this Scandinavian metropolis offers a unique blend of historical charm and contemporary innovation. Visitors can explore the Royal Palace, wander through the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan (Old Town), and discover the remarkable Vasa Museum, housing a perfectly preserved 17th-century warship. With its picturesque archipelago and cultural events like the Nobel Prize ceremonies, Stockholm offers a diverse and enriching experience for travelers.
More information about Stockholm
Royal Djurgården
Royal Djurgården is nestled in the heart of Stockholm, and is an enchanting island oasis that beckons both locals and tourists alike. With a royal heritage dating back to the 15th century, this green haven boasts a range of world-class museums, including the ABBA Museum and the Nordic Museum. Nature lovers can relish the tranquil atmosphere, while history enthusiasts can delve into Sweden’s past. It’s a serene escape that offers a perfect blend of culture and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination in the city.
Why is it urgent to meet, develop new solutions, and transform?
The hospitality industry creates new jobs that contribute to increased growth and employment in both larger regions and sparsely populated areas and is a large export industry in many countries. The tourism industry is one of the main engines of the world economy. It is constantly changing to respond to the fluctuating needs of customers, so technology innovation is present in all the scopes of tourism.
- Environmental hurdles like rising temperatures and natural disasters have a great impact on society. A warmer world affects the travel industry in many ways and changes alter travel paths. Storms and floods disrupt coastal getaways, leaving sunny shores battered. The carbon footprint of extensive travel (car/air/boat/bus) has contributed significantly to environmental concerns such as climate change.
- A balance between exploration and preservation is achieved through sustainable practices and technology. Conflict of interest can arise at regional economic development versus preservation of nature.
- Political and social instability refers to the turbulence and uncertainty that can arise within a country or society due to a range of factors. These factors often include political conflicts, economic hardships, social inequality, and cultural tensions.
Tourism can contribute to attractive places for visitors, residents, businesses, and investments throughout the country when places and actors work together by:
- Understand the world perspective and adjust to it, act climate and environmental smart to protect and preserve .
Be welcoming and inclusive to engage visitors, residents, businesses and local society. - Develop Thriving and innovative business for long-term competitive business and act transparent and communicative (credible assurance).
During the GSTC2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, we will meet inspiring speakers who will demonstrate solutions and new models. By meeting and taking part in the work of others, we can continue to develop, contribute to economically strong and long-term countries and transition that will reduce the negative climate impact.
Organizers
Media Partners
