🎉 Congratulations to our CEO, Randy Durband for being included on The Independent’s Climate 100 List! "Being recognized on The Independent's Climate 100 List is both an honor and a reminder that our collective responsibility to the planet is more urgent than ever. This acknowledgment fuels my commitment to driving impactful, sustainable practices that not only protect our environment but also empower future generations to thrive in harmony with it," says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dG8kNP68 #GSTC #GSTCNews #RandyDurband #GSTCCEO #100List #Independent
Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
Travel Arrangements
Washington, DC 46,793 followers
Managing the GSTC Criteria, global sustainability standards in travel and tourism.
About us
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. 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 role in providing assurance for impartiality and competence of Certification Programs 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 it provides assurance for those that do. 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 leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO’s, national and provincial governments, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.
- Website
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https://www.gstcouncil.org/
External link for Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
- Industry
- Travel Arrangements
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Washington, DC
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2010
- Specialties
- Development of International Sustainability Standards, Sustainability Education and Training, Promotion of Sustainable Destinations, Accreditation for Standards and Certification Programs, GSTC Criteria, Sustainability Standards, and Mainstreaming Sustainable Tourism
Locations
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Primary
PO Box 96503 #51887
Washington, DC 20090-6503, US
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Capitán Haya 42
Madrid, 28020, ES
Employees at Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
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Ayako Ezaki
Managing Partner at TrainingAid
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Benjamin Wong
Co-founder & CEO at Tricolage | Sustainable Tourism Consulting
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Kate Heiny
Vice President Sustainability @ Booking Holdings | Circularity | CSR | Philanthropy | NED
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Dr. Elif Balci Fisunoglu (PhD)
Türkiye Tourism Promotion & Development Agency Vice General Manager- Tourism Operations & Development
Updates
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👉 Don’t miss the session “Sustainable Events” at #GSTC2024Singapore! The new GSTC MICE Criteria was launched earlier this year, which is divided into three sub-sectors: Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions. This session will explore strategies for advancing sustainability within the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector with a focus on sustainable events. Experts will share insights on implementing sustainable practices throughout the event lifecycle, from venue selection and waste management to catering and transportation. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on minimizing the environmental impact of events while enhancing social and economic benefits for local communities. Case studies and best practices will highlight relevant models for hosting sustainable MICE events. 🗣Moderator: Edward KOH – Executive Director, Conventions, Meetings & Incentive Travel, Singapore Tourism Board 👥Speakers: • Ian Gan – Chief Sustainability Officer, Singapore EXPO; Vice President Center Management, Constellar • Adam Piperdy – Founder & Chief Experience Officer, Unearthed Productions • Kaori Pereyra-Lago – Head of Strategic Meetings Management, APAC & EMEA, Global Business Development & Strategy, American Express Global Business Travel • Ingeborg Fallet Kristensen – Managing Director, Krabi Spesialisten / Wedding in Thailand Register here: https://lnkd.in/d7_BzjjD [Special discount available for GSTC Members and participants from ASEAN countries] #GSTC2024Singapore #GlobalConference #Sentosa #Singapore Sentosa Development Corporation Resorts World Sentosa Singapore Tourism Board
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👋 Don’t miss our next GSTC Webinar “Conservation Through Exploration: A Case Study with Natural Habitat Adventures”. Join us for an insightful webinar with Natural Habitat Adventures, a world leader in conservation travel, to explore their groundbreaking approaches to sustainable tourism. As a 100% carbon-neutral travel company, Nat Hab continues to innovate with new decarbonization efforts, zero-waste adventures and eco-conscious itineraries in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund. Discover how they combine immersive nature experiences with leading-edge sustainability practices. 🗣 Speaker: Court Whelan, Ph.D. - Chief Sustainability Officer, Natural Habitat Adventures 🗓 Date: Thursday, 17h October ⏰Time: 09:00 COT | 10:00 EDT | 15:00 UK | 16:00 CEST 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/d9e93_Gt #GSTC #GSTCWebinar #Webinar #NatureConservation #Sustainability Natural Habitat Adventures
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👋Don't miss our next Sustainable Tourism Online Course for industry professionals, starting in less than a week! The training covers the GSTC Criteria, the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism, and provides best practices for businesses and destinations. Delivered as a 4-week-long facilitated and interactive training class, the sustainable tourism online course offers a convenient way to improve your sustainability skills in a flexible online learning environment, while at the same time learning alongside GSTC experts and fellow sustainable tourism practitioners. 👥GSTC Trainer: Nia Klatte and Course Facilitator: Ayako Ezaki 🗓Dates: from the 10th of October to November 8th ⏰ Time: Weekly live webinars scheduled from 7pm CEST (Central European Summer Time, UTC 2) / CET (Central European Time, UTC 1). 🗣Language: English 👥 Presenters & Contributors: • Magnus Brekke Nygaard, Chief Sustainability Officer, Visit Bergen Official • Kelly Galaski, Senior Director of Operations and Head of Impact, Planeterra • Tara Saunders, Director of Business Development, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) • Josephine Piplits, Founding Partner, Act by Choice Check out what other tourism professionals say about this course and register here: https://lnkd.in/eWjBa8pi (Group discounts available) By completing this 4-week online course, you will meet the training requirement towards earning the GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism. #GSTCTraining #GSTC #Sustainability #Travel #Tourism #OnlineCourse #SustainableTourism
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Forte Hotels has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). “Forte Hotels have long heard of GSTC and the commitments to sustainability amongst members. Joining GSTC represents a new step of our group toward a sustainable future. We are excited to learn from like-minded companies! At the same time, as the chairman of Forte Hotels and also the chair of PATA Chinese Taipei Chapter, I hope with GSTC together, we can help Taiwan’s tourism community to create more sustainable values in the region,” says Ben Liao, Chairman of Forte Hotel Group Taiwan 福泰飯店集團. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/d_ZR5VyQ #GSTC #GSTCNews #GSTCMember #sustainability #fortehotelgroup #福泰飯店
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✨ Be part of “Leveraging Tourism for Community Development” session at #GSTC2024Singapore! This session explores how tourism can be leveraged to achieve socially positive outcomes, emphasizing contributions to social development and cultural preservation. Discussions will highlight strategies for ensuring tourism benefits local societies sustainably and meaningfully, fostering community well-being and preserving cultural heritage. 🗣Moderator: Peter Richards – Responsible Tourism Specialist 👥Speakers: • Bhummikitti Ruktaengam – President, Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation (Phuket) • Aditi Chanchani – Chair of the GSTC India Working Group • Ewaldo Reis Amaral – Sr Manager Organization, People Development, ESG, tiket.com • Charlotte PIFFARD – Exo Foundation Leader, EXO Travel 👉Register here: https://lnkd.in/d7_BzjjD [Special discount available for GSTC Members and participants from ASEAN countries] #GSTC2024Singapore #GlobalConference #Sentosa #Singapore Singapore Tourism Board Resorts World Sentosa Sentosa Development Corporation
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GSTC was present at SeatradeCruiseMed event in Málaga, Spain. Dr Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Director for the Mediterranean Region participated in the session “What Does a Sustainable Destination Look Like in Practice?” “Participating in SeatradeCruiseMed 2024 was a truly inspiring experience. Representing GSTC in a panel that explored what a sustainable destination looks like in practice allowed us to highlight the critical work we’re doing in partnership with key industry leaders like MedCruise, CLIA | Cruise Lines International Association, and others [...] ” said Dr. Pappas. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dAWnh3BA #GSTC #GSTCNews #SeatradeCruiseMed #Malaga #Spain
GSTC was present at SeatradeCruiseMed event in Málaga, Spain
gstcouncil.org
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👉 Don’t miss the session “Getting Everyone on Board: Strategies for Hotel Chains” at #GSTC2024Singapore! The session will look into strategies that hotel brands are using in order to promote adherence to sustainable tourism standards and external verification with clear accreditation certification targets. Speakers will provide examples of applicable actions for engaging teams and stakeholders throughout the different and diverse locations where they operate. This includes the pursuit of certification by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies. 🗣 Moderator: Kingston Khoo, President, Eco-STEPS Malaysia 👥 Speakers: • Jeffery Smith, Vice President Sustainability, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas • Siew Kim Beh, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer / Managing Director Japan and Korea, The Ascott Limited • Rod Simpson, Managing Director, Operations APAC, BWH Hotel Group Register here: https://lnkd.in/d7_BzjjD [Special discount available for GSTC Members and participants from ASEAN countries] #GSTC2024Singapore #GlobalConference #Sentosa #Singapore #hospitality Resorts World Sentosa Singapore Tourism Board Sentosa Development Corporation
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GSTC CEO Randy Durband was interviewed for the programme “Transformational Travel” along with other senior opinion leaders from The ETOA - European tourism association, The European Travel Commission (ETC), UN Tourism, and The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The programme hosted by Qasá A.. from the ITN London Studio, explores the positive technological and innovative advances revolutionising the sector and showcases tourism boards prioritising sustainable and responsible tourism. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dAWQPYmm #GSTCNews #Travel #TransformationalTravel ITN Business
Randy Durband, GSTC CEO in Transformational Travel Programme
gstcouncil.org
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Keio Plaza Hotels is joining as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). “Our recent membership in the GSTC represents a new step toward a sustainable future. As we welcome many international tourists, we are committed to providing all of our guests with a comfortable, environmentally-friendly stay in line with global standards, contributing to the realization of a sustainable society. We look forward to continuing our pioneering spirit, working together with GSTC to open a new era in sustainable tourism,” said Katsuyoshi Wakabayashi, President of Keio Plaza Hotel. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dsSrxQCH #GSTC #GSTCNews #GSTCMember #KeioPlazaHotels #Sustainability
Keio Plaza Hotels is joining GSTC
gstcouncil.org