For Governments & Destinations
Adopt the GSTC Destination Criteria
Adopt the GSTC Destination CriteriaPublic sector tourism policy-makers and destination managers throughout the world turn to the GSTC Destination Criteria for guidance in developing policy, raising awareness and conducting training, and for use as a framework for national or localized sustainability standards. GSTC urges policy-makers and destination managers to pledge to adhere to the GSTC Destination Criteria.
The Criteria were developed based on core concepts of sustainable tourism developed in 2005 by UNWTO and further developed by a highly inclusive, global input and development process.
Proclaim your commitment as a nation, province, municipality, or destination to truly sustainable policies and practices.
For Destination Managers:
Roadmap to Sustainable Destinations
Managing destinations sustain-ably requires a process of continuous improvement. The GSTC Criteria provides the framework and GSTC’s network of expert partners and resources can be applied to simplify the process of making destination policies and management practices more sustainable.
GSTC believes that sustainability is a journey. We offer this roadmap in that journey toward greater sustainability.
For Tourism Policy-Makers
Ensure that your national, provincial, or municipal tourism policies include all elements of sustainable tourism by learning and applying the GSTC Criteria and framework. Develop plans for policy-makers and destination managers to increase awareness of the issues, effectiveness, and confidence in their strategic direction for sustainable tourism.
Become Certified
Being a Certified Destination means that your destination complies with the highest social and environmental standards on the market. As public concern grows about the harmful effects and the positive impacts of travel and tourism, Certification provides you a credible solution to complex environmental and social issues.
For All Tourism Stakeholders: Sustainable Destinations Training
The GSTC offers Sustainable Destination Management Training by GSTC authorized trainers. GSTC Training sessions can be customized for destination managers (usually 2-3 days).
The GSTC Trainers are also approved assessors of destination sustainability and can integrate a training program with a destination assessment. The GSTC can tailor a program to the destinations needs and will advise a fee accordingly.
Examples of destinations that apply the GSTC Criteria
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Awards Hotels through the National Sustainable Tourism Certification (NSTC)
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) initiated the National Sustainable Tourism Certification (NSTC) as the first step towards making Sri Lanka's tourism industry sustainable with [...]
Sustainable Sedona Tourism
Jennifer Wesselhoff, President and CEO of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, speaks about Sedona, Arizona's new sustainable tourism plan following their 2016 GSTC Destination Assessment. [...]
On the Road to Sustainable Tourism in Västerbotten, Sweden
GSTC Member "Region Västerbotten" in Northern Sweden, has identified GSTC and its Criteria as a means to help create sustainable tourism in businesses and [...]
Sustainability Heroes in Västerbotten
Region Västerbotten in Northern Sweden has completed a three-year project of introducing sustainable thinking and acting among industry and public stakeholders with the GSTC [...]