GSTC for Governments & Destinations
Adhere to 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 GSTC Criteria have been built on decades of prior work and experience around the world, and they take into account the numerous guidelines and standards for sustainable tourism from every continent. The GSTC Destination Criteria v2.0 is the first revision to GSTC Destination Criteria. The GSTC-D v2 includes performance indicators designed to provide guidance in measuring compliance with the Criteria. Application of the criteria will help a destination to contribute towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
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.
GSTC can assist in working towards harmonization of standards already available or planned for national and local governments. Confusion in both the private and public sectors can be reduced by learning how to apply various types of standards and certification schemes in a systematic manner.
For Destination Managers
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.
Join a Training on the GSTC Criteria
The GSTC offers Sustainable Destination Management Training by GSTC authorized trainers. GSTC Training sessions can be customized for destination managers (usually 2-3 days). Staff training on the GSTC Criteria is available from the GSTC with frequent online classes and by special arrangement for on-site training sessions.
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.
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.
Join GSTC as a Member
Join GSTC as a member organization to stay informed of key developments, and to learn from others in our network. Being a GSTC member means actively participating in our global community who represent a wide range of tourism stakeholders – from UN agencies to leading international tour operators, to government organizations and national tourism boards, and to local and international hospitality brands.