The ‘March Lunch and Learn’ event, hosted by the Canmore Hotel & Lodging Association, focused on collaborative efforts to advance regenerative tourism in Canmore and Kananaskis. Located in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, the region is known for its natural landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities. The event provided an opportunity for [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Destination Assessment of the Cook Islands took place between September 2024 and January 2025. The Cook Islands lie between French Polynesia to the east and Tonga to the west, situated about 3,000 kilometers (1,865 miles) northeast of New Zealand. The islands are of volcanic origin, with Rarotonga— the [...]
Today’s tourism industry features a significant presence of micro and small enterprises (MSEs). Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are essential to the tourism and travel sector, representing approximately 80% of all tourism enterprises worldwide and up to 98% in select G20 nations (International Council for Small Business, 2024*). Tourism MSEs play an important role [...]
The 2025 Conference of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) will be held in Fiji from August 5-8, 2025. This landmark event will bring together global leaders in sustainable tourism, including government representatives, destination managers, industry professionals, and sustainability experts, to advance the future of responsible travel and tourism worldwide. Fiji, known for its [...]
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented intern to join the AYLAC Technical Secretariat with a focus on funding and sponsorship management. This remote, part-time position offers a unique opportunity to support sustainable tourism initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean. As an intern, you will play a key role in identifying funding [...]
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented intern to join the AYLAC Technical Secretariat. This remote, part-time position offers a unique opportunity to support sustainable tourism initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean. As an intern, you will help facilitate communication, coordinate logistics, and contribute to key projects that advance AYLAC’s mission. You [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that GCL International Ltd has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status with the scope of certifying hotels/accommodations to GSTC Hotel Criteria. Operating from its base in central London, United Kingdom, GCL International Ltd manages a network of overseas offices in 5 continents, serving over [...]
SLOVAKIA TRAVEL has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Located in Central Europe, Slovakia is known for its landscapes and cultural heritage. With mountain ranges such as the High Tatras and extensive cave systems, including UNESCO-listed sites like the Slovak Karst, the country offers a mix of natural and [...]
Turismo Lanzarote has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Located in the Canary Islands, Spain, Lanzarote is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its volcanic landscapes and distinct geological formations. From the lava fields of Timanfaya National Park to the traditional architecture influenced by César Manrique, Lanzarote combines natural [...]
Okinawa Prefecture sponsored the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training for their employees in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. The training was held from the 22nd to the 24th of February, 2025. It was led by GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, who shared his expertise with practical examples and valuable insights. [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Alberk QA Technic has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status with the scope of certifying hotels/accommodations to GSTC Hotel Criteria. Alberk QA Technic states in its mission that beyond providing certification, inspection, training, testing, and calibration services, it upholds impartiality principles, ensuring its [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is proud to announce the launch of its new training course tailored specifically for Tour Operators (TOs). The new GSTC Sustainable Tour Operator Course (TOC) is designed to equip professionals in the field with the knowledge and tools to implement the GSTC Tour Operator Criteria effectively. This comprehensive [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course was sponsored by JTB Corp for its employees who came from Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kansai, and Fukuoka. It was held in Tokyo, Japan, from the 19th to the 21st of February, 2025. A total of 20 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced last year the third revision of the GSTC Industry Criteria after announcing version 3 in 2016. The first and second public consultations have been accomplished as set in the Terms of Reference. We are now extending an invitation to all stakeholders in the industry to engage in [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by the Nasu Tourism Association for its employees, concluded successfully. It was held in Nasu-machi, Japan, from the 10th to the 11th of February 2025. A total of 24 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, led the course. The two-day [...]
The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) who joined GSTC as a Destination Member in 2020, sponsored three GSTC Sustainable Tourism Trainings in different locations for destination representatives and tourism industry stakeholders in Japan. The GSTC Trainings in Japan were held in the following destinations: 1. Tsuruoka Yamagata, from the 14th to the 16th of December, [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by Himeji City for its employees concluded successfully. It was held in Himeji City, Japan, from the 3rd to the 5th of February 2025. A total of 16 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, led the [...]
[From left to right: Silvia Rial, Corporate and Sectoral Sustainability Manager at the UN Global Compact Spain, Oswaldo Betancort, President of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Luigi Cabrini, Chair of GSTC and Héctor Fernández, CEO of the Lanzarote Society for External Promotion.] Epicentro Lanzarote, a two-day event dedicated to advancing sustainable tourism awareness at [...]
In 2024, Japan hosted seventeen GSTC Sustainable Tourism Trainings, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism development. These sessions, held across various regions, have provided hospitality professionals, destination managers, and tourist industry stakeholders with essential knowledge and skills for advocating sustainable tourism practices; allowing attendees to learn in depth the GSTC Criteria, the global [...]
Internova Travel Group has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Internova Travel Group is one of the largest travel services companies in the world and manages leisure, business, and franchise firms through a portfolio of distinctive divisions. Internova represents more than 100,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and [...]
