About
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC®) is managing the GSTC Criteria, global standards for sustainable travel and tourism; as well as providing international accreditation for sustainable tourism Certification Bodies.
The GSTC establishes and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, 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.
- MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions.
Since tourism destinations each have their own culture, environment, customs, and laws, the Criteria are designed to be adapted to local conditions and supplemented by additional criteria for the specific location and activity.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation Accreditation for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/ accommodations, tour operators/transport providers, and destinations as having sustainablepolicies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but provides an accreditation program to accredit Certification Bodies.
The GSTC is an independent and neutral organization, legally registered in the USA as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO's, individuals and communities - all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. It is a virtual organization without a main office, with staff and volunteers working from all six populated continents. Financial support from donations, sponsorship, and membership fees allows us to provide services at low costs and to create, revise, and make available the GSTC Criteria. GSTC is an ISEAL Community Member.
Membership is open to all interested parties and does not by itself imply endorsement by the GSTC of the policies and practices of the member organization.
For more organizational information: GSTC organizational structure; GSTC's legal status and financial reports.
GSTC has a number of logos in use. For more details, please visit this page about the GSTC logos usage guidelines.
