Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

The Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB) is the official destination marketing and management organization for Tokyo. Its goal is to build economic prosperity and support community development through tourism. The bureau markets the city and communicates Tokyo’s ever-evolving image to global audiences, aiming to attract visitors and business events. 

Sustainability in Tokyo 

In “making Tokyo the world’s choice,” TCVB strives to create a sustainable city through tourism and business events.

Tokyo’s many charms attract travelers from around the globe, yet, many people also call the city home. A multitude of industries are rooted in its local communities, and Tokyo’s residents wish to protect its unique culture and vibrant environment. The bureau will pursue the goal of sustainable tourism with the utmost responsibility to both minimize the negative environmental and social impact that tourism causes, and to further grow the city’s tourism industry.

To accomplish this mission, they are engaged in partnerships to promote cooperation in both planning and action. In the partnership named “TCVB Sustainable Tourism Partnership”, they focus on the following five activities, and together with their partners they strive to deepen their knowledge and pursue positive outcomes as:

  • Reduction of environmental impact
  • Contribution to the local economy
  • Engagement in the local community
  • Protection and utilization of cultural heritage
  • Contribution to the protection of natural heritage

Also, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is making various efforts to achieve zero emissions by 2050.  As a destination organization of Tokyo, TCVB will continuously work with its industry partners to achieve this goal. Furthermore, they support not only industry but local communities in developing programs to improve visitors’ experience regarding sustainability in Tokyo.

Tokyo is a vast capital city, with a variety of areas with different characteristics, from urban areas to suburban areas and islands. Each partner is working to contribute to local communities and economies through their own activities, and more members are expected to join in the future.  

More information can be found here: https://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/sustainabletourism/ 

Masaru Suzuki, Director General of Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau says, “It is our great honor to become a member of the GSTC. The goal of our activities is to make ‘sustainable tourism’ visible and to revitalize the tourism industry using it as a norm.

To promote ‘sustainable tourism’ in a vast city like Tokyo, it is essential for DMOs, the government, tourism-related businesses, and local communities to work together in consensus. TCVB, the only DMO that covers all regions in Tokyo, our strength lies in the fact that we have industrial partners as supporting members and are able to promote various initiatives also in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. We are very much looking forward to learning from other GSTC members who are working hard towards the same goals around the world, exchanging ideas and bringing our wisdom together to develop initiatives. Finally, we hope that joining the GSTC could be a great opportunity to further solidify our mission ‘Making TOKYO the world’s choice’.”

GSTC Welcomes Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau

“We warmly welcome the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau as a new member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. TCVB’s commitment to sustainability reflects its deep respect for its cultural heritage and its dedication to preserving the natural environment, fostering community well-being, and promoting responsible tourism practices that ensure the longevity and prosperity of the region,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.

About Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau stands as Tokyo’s premier destination marketing and management entity, dedicated to enriching the city’s economic landscape and fostering community growth through the promotion of tourism. With a clear focus on showcasing Tokyo’s dynamic and evolving character to a global audience, the Bureau undertakes comprehensive marketing strategies and communication initiatives aimed at drawing both leisure and business travelers to the city. Through collaborative efforts that bring together local communities, business partners, and its dedicated staff, the Bureau works to ensure that Tokyo remains a top choice for visitors around the world, contributing significantly to the city’s prosperity and the development of its vibrant community.

More information here: https://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/ 

About the GSTC

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are three sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators, and MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/ 

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Statements expressed in this announcement are presented for informational purposes only and should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by GSTC, unless clearly stated.