Why GSTC Certification Stands Out
Sustainability in Tourism
In a rapidly changing world, sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity. It’s the key to securing our shared future. As the tourism and hospitality industries grow, so does their impact on the environment, local cultures, and communities.
“
Sustainable Tourism –
tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities."
tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities."
Sustainability in tourism isn’t just about mitigating negative impact – it's about creating meaningful, lasting value for travelers, businesses, and destinations alike. By aligning with global standards like GSTC, businesses take a crucial step toward responsible growth, ensuring they not only adapt to global challenges but also lead the way in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future both for People and Nature.
GSTC Criteria – the Gold Standard in Tourism
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC) is an international non-governmental organization formed in 2007 with the support of UNEP, UNWTO, conservation groups, and key travel and tourism businesses. It is the leading global authority in setting and managing global standards for sustainable travel & tourism, known as the GSTC Criteria.
The GSTC Criteria were created to provide a common understanding throughout the world of sustainable tourism, and are the minimum that any tourism business should aspire to reach.
The GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels & Tour Operators encompass 42 essential benchmarks distributed across four foundational pillars:
The GSTC Criteria were created to provide a common understanding throughout the world of sustainable tourism, and are the minimum that any tourism business should aspire to reach.
The GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels & Tour Operators encompass 42 essential benchmarks distributed across four foundational pillars:
(A) Sustainability Management
demonstrating effective sustainable management
(B) Social & Economic Benefits
maximizing benefits to the host community and minimizing negative impacts
(C) Cultural Heritage
maximizing benefits to communities, visitors and culture, and minimizing negative impacts
(D) Environment
maximizing benefits to the environment and minimizing negative impacts
The GSTC Criteria and the UN SDGs
GSTC Criteria provide a comprehensive framework that integrates environmental, social, cultural, and economic dimensions, and ensure alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
GSTC Criteria provide a comprehensive framework that integrates environmental, social, cultural, and economic dimensions, and ensure alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The GSTC Criteria are considered globally as the gold standard for sustainability in tourism. Endorsed by leading global entities such as the UN Foundation, UNEP, and UNWTO, the GSTC Criteria set the benchmark for all certification schemes, embodying the gold standard for sustainable tourism practices worldwide.
Benefits of GSTC Certification
GSTC-Accredited certification provides a globally acknowledged, comprehensive, and credible framework for sustainability. It ensures that your business meets the highest international standards, aligns with global and regulatory expectations, and gains a competitive market advantage. This certification fosters continuous improvement while offering access to valuable resources and networks. For those already holding a sustainable certification, adding a GSTC Certificate elevates their status, showcasing an unwavering dedication to sustainability at the highest level.
Aligns your business with the global gold standard in sustainable tourism, providing the highest level of assurance and credibility.
Ensures standing out on leading OTAs like Booking.com and Trip.com, where GSTC-Certified businesses gain exclusive prominence for eco-conscious travelers.
Drives improvements across environmental, social, and economic aspects of your operations.
Distinguishes your business in competitive marketplace and enhances reputation and appeal to eco-conscious travelers and partners, looking for genuine sustainability.
Ensures full compliance with EU sustainability directives, providing a future-proof framework for emerging global regulations.
Ensures access to exclusive benefits such as favorable government policies, grants, and international recognition.
There are over 180 “eco-labels” and “certifications” in tourism nowadays. GSTC Certification is standing apart from them due to its rigorous, independent, third-party assessment conducted by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies.
What does Accreditation mean? Today, third-party certification is widely recognized for its impartiality and independence. However, accredited certification takes this one step further. It ensures that certification processes undergo rigorous evaluation by an accreditation body, confirming adherence to international standards of impartiality, integrity, quality and transparency. This higher level of accountability and scrutiny ensures the utmost credibility, making it a hallmark of excellence.
Additionally, GSTC Certification is the only tourism certification aligned with ISEAL standards, further cementing its reputation as the most credible and comprehensive sustainability framework available.
What does Accreditation mean? Today, third-party certification is widely recognized for its impartiality and independence. However, accredited certification takes this one step further. It ensures that certification processes undergo rigorous evaluation by an accreditation body, confirming adherence to international standards of impartiality, integrity, quality and transparency. This higher level of accountability and scrutiny ensures the utmost credibility, making it a hallmark of excellence.
Additionally, GSTC Certification is the only tourism certification aligned with ISEAL standards, further cementing its reputation as the most credible and comprehensive sustainability framework available.
GSTC-certified businesses gain exclusive access to the GSTC Market Access Program, which provides visibility on leading Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), including Booking.com, EcoHotels, Hotelbeds, Agoda, Kayak, Priceline, Tablet Hotels (Michelin Guides), Hostelworld, Traveloka, MakeMyTrip, and more. This advantage allows hotels to stand out to eco-conscious travelers seeking verified sustainable properties.
Moreover, OTAs today strengthen their requirements to sustainable certification and some of them already give the highest value to GSTC certification (e.g. only accommodations with GSTC-Accredited certification are eligible to be displayed with the “Certified Sustainable” label on the Trip.com platform).
Moreover, OTAs today strengthen their requirements to sustainable certification and some of them already give the highest value to GSTC certification (e.g. only accommodations with GSTC-Accredited certification are eligible to be displayed with the “Certified Sustainable” label on the Trip.com platform).
GSTC certification sets the benchmark for operational excellence by addressing all pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, cultural, and economic. Its holistic approach ensures businesses adopt practices that foster long-term value, resilience, and adaptability in an evolving global landscape.
By aligning operations with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), GSTC-certified businesses not only refine internal processes but also significantly enhance their operational performance. This alignment drives efficiency, innovation, and responsible practices across all aspects of operations, establishing businesses as leaders in sustainable tourism. Moreover, this integration strengthens credibility, appeals to high-value markets, and contributes to a global movement toward a more sustainable future.
By aligning operations with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), GSTC-certified businesses not only refine internal processes but also significantly enhance their operational performance. This alignment drives efficiency, innovation, and responsible practices across all aspects of operations, establishing businesses as leaders in sustainable tourism. Moreover, this integration strengthens credibility, appeals to high-value markets, and contributes to a global movement toward a more sustainable future.
The travel industry is undergoing a transformative shift, with sustainability emerging as a cornerstone of its future. According to Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report 2024, 83% of travelers actively seek more sustainable options. This shift reflects a growing demand for accommodations and tour operators that embrace authentic sustainability practices and hold credible certifications.
Today’s travelers are increasingly aware of greenwashing tactics and prioritize staying at hotels that demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability. This credibility is precisely why leading global hotel chains, such as Mandarin Oriental, Six Senses, and the Ascott Group, have aligned themselves with GSTC Certification – a standard renowned for its uncompromising rigor and integrity.
With GSTC-Accredited certification, businesses benefit from a unique GSTC logo and traceable code. This prestigious mark enhances credibility, attracts eco-conscious travelers, and fosters trust and loyalty, helping your brand thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
Today’s travelers are increasingly aware of greenwashing tactics and prioritize staying at hotels that demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability. This credibility is precisely why leading global hotel chains, such as Mandarin Oriental, Six Senses, and the Ascott Group, have aligned themselves with GSTC Certification – a standard renowned for its uncompromising rigor and integrity.
With GSTC-Accredited certification, businesses benefit from a unique GSTC logo and traceable code. This prestigious mark enhances credibility, attracts eco-conscious travelers, and fosters trust and loyalty, helping your brand thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
With GSTC-Accredited certification, businesses benefit from a unique GSTC logo and traceable code. This prestigious mark enhances credibility, attracts eco-conscious travelers, and fosters trust and loyalty, helping your brand thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
GSTC certification provides businesses with robust alignment to global sustainability priorities and ensures compliance with strict EU sustainability directives. By meeting these standards, certified businesses gain a future-proof framework, reducing risks of non-compliance and paving the way for long-term growth.
EU Compliance: GSTC certification meets EU regulations such as the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and the forthcoming EU Green Claims Directive, which mandate verified claims of sustainability. This ensures businesses avoid risks of mislabeling or greenwashing.
Global Standards Alignment: The certification complies with the European Directive for Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD) and global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. This positions GSTC-certified businesses as leaders in both regional and international sustainability initiatives.
EU Compliance: GSTC certification meets EU regulations such as the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and the forthcoming EU Green Claims Directive, which mandate verified claims of sustainability. This ensures businesses avoid risks of mislabeling or greenwashing.
Global Standards Alignment: The certification complies with the European Directive for Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD) and global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. This positions GSTC-certified businesses as leaders in both regional and international sustainability initiatives.
GSTC Certification today is more than just a prestigious quality emblem. It is a strategic step embraced by nations and businesses striving to shape a sustainable future.
Endorsed by numerous nations and organizations as a benchmark for sustainable tourism development, GSTC certification provides businesses with access to advantageous policies and grants from supportive governments.
Additionally, global organizations like the World Bank view GSTC certification as a mark of excellence and symbol of quality. This acknowledgment positions businesses as leaders in sustainable tourism, enabling them to navigate regulatory standards, avoid unreliable certification schemes, and foster lasting trust in competitive markets.
Endorsed by numerous nations and organizations as a benchmark for sustainable tourism development, GSTC certification provides businesses with access to advantageous policies and grants from supportive governments.
Additionally, global organizations like the World Bank view GSTC certification as a mark of excellence and symbol of quality. This acknowledgment positions businesses as leaders in sustainable tourism, enabling them to navigate regulatory standards, avoid unreliable certification schemes, and foster lasting trust in competitive markets.
Learn more details about advantages of GSTC Certification in our article
Why GSTC-Accredited Certification
is the Premier Choice
is the Premier Choice
Read more
By pursuing GSTC Certification, you unlock a path to operational excellence, a stronger reputation, a competitive edge, and the prestigious acknowledgment as a global sustainability leader.