A New Milestone in Sustainable Tourism Compliance
We are pleased to announce important updates to the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) Hotel Performance Requirements, set to take effect from January 1, 2025. These updates reflect the GSTC’s commitment to advancing sustainable practices across the tourism and hospitality sector, ensuring measurable improvements in environmental, social, and operational sustainability.
Key Updates to GSTC Criteria Include:
- B.3 Local Purchasing: Emphasis on policies and practices supporting local suppliers.
- B.7 Decent Work: Ensuring living wages and fair employment conditions.
- D.1.1 Environmentally Preferable Purchasing: Supplier assessments and policies addressing unregulated or endangered species.
- D.1.2 Efficient Purchasing: Reducing single-use plastics.
- D.1.3 Energy Conservation: Integration of LED lighting, renewable energy sources, and energy-efficient systems.
- D.1.4 Water Conservation: Use of water-efficient equipment and linen reuse programs.
- D.2.1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Adoption of vegetarian/vegan menu options and electric vehicle charging facilities.
- D.2.4 Solid Waste: Clear policies to reduce landfill contributions.
Implementation Timeline:
These revised criteria will be mandatory starting January 1, 2025, and compliance will be verified during annual surveillance audits conducted by GSTC-accredited certification bodies.
Action Required:
Certified hotels and accommodation facilities are encouraged to review and integrate these updates into their sustainability management systems to ensure seamless compliance.
For further details and access to the updated GSTC performance guidelines, please refer to the official document:
GSTC Hotel Performance Requirements Against Eight Criteria
At RoyalCert, we remain committed to guiding and supporting our certified partners on their journey towards sustainable excellence.
For inquiries or assistance, feel free to contact our team.
