On the 31st of October, 2023, the Georgian Tourism Association (GTA) hosted the 6th International Conference on Standards in Tourism at the Biltmore Hotel in Tbilisi. The event brought together industry experts and thought leaders to discuss the latest in tourism standards and regulations from different perspectives.

Among the esteemed speakers was GSTC CEO, Randy Durband, who presented a virtual session for hotels and accommodations “The Journey toward becoming certified as a Sustainable Hotel/Accommodation” in which he talked about the importance of being GSTC-Certified, emphasizing the value of obtaining certification and highlighting its significance.

Also, Dr. Mihee Kang,  GSTC Global Assurance Director, led a virtual session for MICE Tourism ”Developing the GSTC MICE Criteria – Challenges and Opportunities.” She provided a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in the GSTC MICE Criteria. She shed light on the challenges faced during its development and the opportunities it opens up for the MICE industry. As she laid out the roadmap, Dr. Kang also shared insights about the upcoming phases in the evolution of this criteria.

The discussions and presentations at GTA’s 6th International Conference not only underscored the significance of sustainable practices but also offered tangible steps and strategies for their effective integration. Participants departed with a richer perspective, armed with actionable insights.

About GTA

The Georgian Tourism Association (GTA) is an organization of Private Tourism Companies, Hotels and Wine Companies in Georgia. The association was founded in 2006 to promote the cooperation between the tourism companies in Georgia, cooperation between private and public sector, sustainable tourism development in Georgia, accessibility of tourism information and country marketing, capacity building and quality management for tourism services. Georgian Tourism Association works on product development in incoming, domestic and outgoing tourism.