For Destinations2019-11-02T08:57:57+08:00

For Governments & Destinations

Adopt the GSTC Destination Criteria

Public 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.

GSTC Destination Criteria

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.

Become a Sustainable Destination

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.

Resources for Tourism Policy-Makers

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.

Become a Certified Destination

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.

Reserve a Training

Examples of destinations that apply the GSTC Criteria

Sustainable Sedona Tourism

July 1st, 2019|

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. [...]

Travel with Care in Thailand

April 16th, 2019|

Travel with Care in Thailand Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat acknowledged that sustainable tourism looks beyond economic benefits: "Thailand, which witnessed 38 [...]

Tourism Vancouver Joins GSTC

January 8th, 2019|

December 2018 - Tourism Vancouver has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a municipal destination member. Tourism Vancouver is a destination marketing [...]

Load More Posts

GSTC followers receive once a month updates of important developments and opportunities

SIGN UP