2. What is the GSTC?
The leading global authority for standards
for sustainable travel & tourism
A unique organization, without
competitors
3. What is GSTC?
• An independent, non-profit, truly global organization
supported by volunteer experts and supporters of
sustainability in travel and tourism
• Supported by diverse organizations:
The United Nations: UNWTO, UNEP, UN Foundation
Private Sector: TUI, Sabre, Royal Caribbean, many more
Trade Associations: ATTA, PATA, ASTA, ANVR
NGOs: Rainforest Alliance, Conservation Int’l, many more
4. Why GSTC?
• 1 in 2 consumers would be willing to book a more
sustainable holiday if available (TUI Travel global
research 2010)
• 2 in 3 consumers would change their behavior on
holiday to help the environment (TUI Travel global
research 2010)
5. GSTC’s Core Activities:
• Criteria for Sustainability
• “Certify the Certifiers”
• Destinations
• Education & Training
• Advocacy for sustainability in travel & tourism
6. GSTC Sustainable Criteria Overview
• There are 2 sets of Criteria:
41 criteria for Destinations
37 criteria for Hotels & Tour Operators
• 4 categories of criteria in each set:
Destination Management
Community Economic Benefit
Community Social Benefit
Environmental Protection
7. Certification Framework
GSTC sets standards
Certification Bodies become GSTC-Recognized
Travel Retailers get certified as “sustainable”
13. Social and economic benefits to the local community
• Community development
• Local goods and services
• Local entrepreneurship
14. Social and economic benefits to the local community
• Equal employment opportunities for
local people/minorities
women
• Social protection and living wage
• No exploitation, no harassment
15. Social and economic benefits to the local community
• Respectful conduct with local communities
• No restriction of local people access to
food/water
energy/housing
healthcare/sanitation
livelihood
transport
16. Benefits to cultural heritage
•
•
•
•
Code of behavior for visits
No illegal trade
Protection & preservation
Local art, architecture, culture
17. Benefits to the environment
• Conserving resources
Sustainable purchasing policies
Less disposable goods
Energy consumption (& renewable energies)
Water consumption
18. Benefits to the environment
• Reducing pollution
Greenhouse gas emissions
Wastewater
Waste
Harmful substances
Other kinds of pollution
(noise, light, runoff, erosion, …)
19. Benefits to the environment
• Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes
Regulated consumption/trade of wildlife species
No illegal wildlife captivity
No introduction of invasive aliens species
Biodiversity conservation
Minimize disturbance
for natural ecosystems
20. Next step
- Adapt those standards to create our own sets of
criteria,
- Get recognized/approved by GSTC
- Influence stakeholders to modify their practices and
join the movment.
The GSTC is the leading global authority in setting and managing standards for what can be called “sustainable” in travel & tourism
Others:
Conservation: IUCN
Private: Travelocity, Hilton, Caesars Entertainment
Travel Weekly
Demand is growing for sustainability.
Sustainability measured through various methods of assessment:
Low: self assessment
3rd party verification
3rd party certification
Highest: 3rd party, GSTC-recognized certifier, e.g. EarthCheck
Criteria for Sustainability
Hotel & Tour Operator Criteria - 2008, revised 2012
Destination Criteria - released Nov 2013
“Certify the Certifiers” – 140+ certifiers
3 tiers of GSTC verification levels of certification schemes: Recognized, Approved, Accredited
19 are “Recognized” & 1 “Approved” as of Feb 2014
. Destinations
“Early Adopters” program 2012-13
“Destination Partner Program” - new for 2014 – assessments, recommendations, training for sustainability – see www.gstcouncil.org/dpp
4. Education & Training
5. Advocacy for sustainability in travel & tourism
Created with the input of experts, groups and companies from around the planet.
Define sustainable tourism in a way that is actionable, measurable and credible.
A minimum standard of sustainability for tourism businesses and destinations across the globe.
Worldwide applicability of criteria
Suitable for developed and developing countries
For large and small businesses and destinations
For urban, rural, and natural areas
Considering traditional and indigenous communities
The criteria indicate what should be done
Our training programs show how to do it
CB’s can be non-profit, gov’t agencies, for-profits
Travel companies, e.g. companies – hotels, tour operators, sellers of travel become certified by certification bodies – not the GSTC. The GSTC does not certify travel retailers
Today we will use the GSTC Sustainable Criteria for Hotels & Tour Operators
This allows us to see all the issues included in “sustainable tourism” for our educational purposes
We will use the handout “Guidelines for Hotels & Tour Operators” which includes the criteria plus guidelines for using them