Stakeholder Consultations on GSTC Accreditation Policy and Certification Requirements
Stakeholder Consultation
The Stakeholder Consultation for GSTC is a crucial process for creating or revising the GSTC Accreditation Policy and Certification Requirements beside the Working Group task to review the standard/document development/policy. This activity involves engaging individuals, groups, or any related stakeholders interested in accreditation and certification. The Stakeholder Consultation aims to gather input and feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders, making GSTC transparent in its development and implementation, and emphasizing collaboration as a key aspect of the policy and requirements. This approach helps in making better-informed decisions and achieving more favorable outcomes by considering the needs and expectations of all stakeholders.
The Process of Stakeholder Consultation
At GTSC, we are committed to following the guidelines set forth by ISEAL’s Standard-Setting Code of Good Practice Version 6.0 2014 regarding public consultation. We place great importance on stakeholder involvement in the revision process of our Manual and prioritize transparency.
To ensure adequate time for input, we hold public consultations on revisions for a minimum of 60 days. For major changes, we extend the consultation period to engage a diverse and inclusive range of stakeholders.
The History of Accreditation Manual Revision
- Accreditation Manual for Accommodation/Hotel & Tour Operator
- Accreditation Manual for Accommodation/Hotel & Tour Operator v.2.4
- Accreditation Manual for Accommodation/Hotel & Tour Operator v.2.5
- Accreditation Manual for Accommodation/Hotel & Tour Operator v.3.0
- Accreditation Manual for Accommodation/Hotel & Tour Operator v.3.1
- Accreditation Manual for Destination
- Accreditation Manual for Destination v.1.2
Currently Open Consultations
| Description | Reference Code | Open To Whom | Open Date | Deadline for Submissions |
| GSTC Accreditation Manual for Destination Certification Bodies v.2.0 (Draft). | Tourism industry stakeholders | May 20th, 2024 | August 28th, 2024 |
Upcoming Consultations
| Description | Reference Code | Open To Whom | Opening Date | Deadline for Submissions |
| No upcoming consultation |
Past Consultations
| Description | Reference Code | Open To Whom | Open Date | Deadline for Submissions | Public Consultation Report and Informative Session |
| Tour Operator On-Site Audit Guidance (Section 13 and 14 of Accreditation Manual v.2.4) | 2019CON01 | Accredited CBs and CBs in the process of accreditation | 30-October-2019 | ||
| Provisional Agenda for CB Meeting in Azores for GSTC2019 Conference Agenda document: GSTC-CBs Meeting, Dec 4th Azores | Accredited CBs and Recognized Standard Owners | 7-October-2019 | 4-November-2019 | ||
| Survey of CB’s Current Audit Frequency & Duration practices | 2020CON01-HA 2020CON01-TO 2020CON01-D | Accredited CBs, CBs in the process of accreditation, Recognized Standard Owners | 28-January-2020 | 27-March-2020 | |
| Accreditation Manual for Industry (Accommodation/Hotel & Tour Operator) v.2.5 Public Consultation | 2020CON02 | All interested parties | 21-August-2020 | 31-October-2020 | GSTC Accreditation Manual v.2.5 Informative Session Record and Presentation |
| Accreditation Manual for Industry (Accommodation/Hotel & Tour Operator) v.3.0 Public Consultation | 2023CON01 | Accredited CBs and CBs in the process of accreditation | 10-Feb-2023 | 10-Apr-2023 | GSTC Accreditation Manual v.3.0 Informative Session Record and Presentation |
| Creation of an Interpretation Document for specific requirements of the GSTC Industry Criteria | 2023CON02-HA | All interested parties | 26-Jun-2023 | 10-Apr-2023 | August 26th 2023 |
| Accreditation Manual for Industry (Accommodation/Hotel & Tour Operator) v.4.0 Public Consultation | Tourism industry stakeholders | 29-Dec-2023 | 6-Apr-2024 |
Interpretation, Amendment, or Guidance Documents related to GSTC Accreditation Manual
| Title | Reference Code (incl. file) | Section(s) Referenced of the Manual or Document | Description / Specific Item(s) Referenced: | Date and Version |
| Interpretation Document for Skill and Qualification and Formal Training ISO 17065 | 2019INTD01 | 11.3. Certification: Understanding and applying the international norms for certification | 11.3.1 Skill Qualification 11.3.1.1 Formal training of SO17065:12; or 11.3.1.2 At least five years as a decision maker with an ISEAL or IAF accredited certification body | 16-September-2019 Accreditation Manual v.2.4 |
| Interpretation Document for Sampling within the Audit | 2019INTD02 | 15. Sampling within the Audit | 15.1.2 – Guidelines for the type of sampling and size of the samples to be employed in each instance | 16-September-2019 Accreditation Manual v.2.4 |
| Amendment for Knowledge Competencies | 2021AMD01 | 10. – Auditor Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills | 10.7.3. Knowledge Competencies 10.7.3.1 Demonstrate understanding of Sustainable Tourism by passing examination set by the GSTC STTP Program. | 08-April-2021 Accreditation Manual v.2.4 |
| Interpretation for GSTC Accreditation Manual 2.5 for Elements of Audit | 2023INTD01 | 8. Conformity with GSTC Requirements 8.5. Requirements for the application of ISO 17065 ISO 17065:2012 7.4 Evaluation | 8.5.12. GSTC Requirements to ISO 17065:2012 Clause 7.4.3 8.5.12.1. At each audit, the CB shall use an audit checklist/evaluation tool which includes all criteria and indicators of the Reference Standard and requires the completion, for each criterion, of the auditor’s conclusion (conform, not conform or not assessed), based on evidence obtained from the audit process. | 02-February-2023 Accreditation Manual v.2.5 |
| Interpretation for GSTC Accreditation Manual 2.5 for Group Certification | 2023INT02 | 15. Group Certification | 15.3. When a certification scheme accepts the practice of group certification, the following shall be required: 15.3.1. Group members shall be individual organizations that offer similar tourism services; | 11-December-2023 Accreditation Manual v.3.1 |
| Interpretation for GSTC Accreditation Manual 3.1 for Tour Operator | 2024INTD01 | 16. Requirements for Tour Operator | 16.13. The CB shall provide sampling procedures of the Tour Operator. In case the Tour Operator has more than one unit, the sampling process needs to include them inside the scope of certification. The procedure shall meet IAF MD1:2018 Requirements. | 7-March-2024 Accreditation Manual v.3.1 |
| Guidance on Sampling of Tours for the GSTC Tour Operator Certification | Guidance Document | 8.5. Requirements for the Application of ISO 17065 and 16. Requirements for Tour Operator | This document aims to explain how Certification Bodies (CBs) sample the tours of a tour operator(TO). | May-2024 First publication |
| Additional Implementation Guidance for the Hotel Performance Requirements | 2024ACL03 | GSTC Requirements for Hotel’s Performance against Eight Criteria | Hotels undergoing surveillance audits in 2025, as part of an existing certification cycle, shall be informed by the CBs on the new performance requirements. However, non-conformities related to them will be issued during 2025 surveillance audits. | June-2024 First publication |