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GSTC

Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is a leading organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices worldwide. Established with the goal of setting standards and guidelines for sustainable tourism, GSTC plays a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future.

Significance in Promoting Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism goes beyond traditional travel experiences; it encompasses a commitment to preserving cultural heritage, protecting the environment, and supporting local communities. GSTC standards are designed to ensure that tourism activities have a positive impact, fostering responsible and ethical practices.

Aligning with Global Standards

Businesses that adhere to GSTC standards demonstrate their commitment to aligning with global best practices in sustainable tourism. This alignment not only benefits the environment and local communities but also enhances the overall reputation and marketability of the certified businesses.

Goals and Principles of GSTC

Environmental Conservation

Emphasizing practices that minimize negative impacts on the environment, including wildlife and ecosystems.

Cultural Respect and Preservation

Aiming to preserve cultural heritage and promote cultural exchange by recognizing and respecting local cultures.

Community Engagement

Ensuring sustainable tourism benefits local communities through economic opportunities and support for community well‑being.

Consumer Confidence

Building trust among travelers by assuring them that certified businesses are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism practices.

Benefits of GSTC Certification

Resource Conservation: GSTC certification encourages businesses to adopt practices that minimise resource consumption, reduce waste, and promote energy efficiency.

Biodiversity Preservation: Certified businesses contribute to the preservation of local ecosystems, protecting biodiversity and maintaining the delicate balance of natural environments.

Cost Savings: Sustainable practices often lead to operational efficiencies, reducing costs related to energy consumption, waste management, and resource use.

Risk Mitigation: GSTC certification helps businesses identify and mitigate potential risks associated with environmental and social impacts, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Local Economic Growth: By supporting local businesses and engaging with the community, GSTC-certified entities contribute to the economic growth of the destinations they operate in.

Cultural Preservation: Emphasising respect for local cultures, GSTC-certified businesses play a role in preserving and celebrating cultural diversity.

Meeting Legal Requirements: GSTC standards often align with or surpass local and international regulations, ensuring that certified businesses meet or exceed legal requirements related to sustainability.

Market Differentiation: GSTC certification sets businesses apart in the market, signalling to consumers that they are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism.

Consumer Trust: In an era where consumers prioritise ethical choices, GSTC certification builds trust among travellers who seek environmentally and socially responsible travel experiences.

Appealing to Conscious Travellers: As the demand for sustainable travel experiences grows, GSTC certification appeals to a segment of conscious travellers who actively seek environmentally and socially responsible options.

International Recognition: GSTC is globally recognized, opening doors for businesses to access international markets and collaborate with other certified entities worldwide.

Networking Opportunities: Certified businesses become part of a network of organisations dedicated to sustainable tourism, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Internationally Accredited: RoyalCert is an accredited Certification Body, ensuring that its certifications are recognized and respected on an international scale.

Industry Recognition: The certification provided by RoyalCert aligns with industry standards, showcasing a commitment to excellence in sustainable tourism practices.

Extensive Industry Experience: With years of experience in providing management system certification, inspections, and compliance audits, RoyalCert brings a wealth of expertise to the certification process.

Specialised in Sustainable Tourism: RoyalCert’s specialisation in sustainable tourism positions it as a dedicated and knowledgeable partner for businesses seeking GSTC certification.

Commitment to Transparency: RoyalCert is committed to transparent certification processes, providing businesses with a clear understanding of the criteria and steps involved.

Ethical Conduct: Businesses can trust in RoyalCert’s ethical conduct, ensuring that the certification process is fair, impartial, and aligned with the principles of sustainable and responsible business practices.

Based in Frankfurt, Germany, RoyalCert strategically positions its global headquarters to infuse a European perspective into its certification services worldwide. Reinforcing its dedication to the United States market, RoyalCert maintains a corporate office in New Jersey, providing businesses with personalised, localised support and understanding. With a robust presence in over 40 countries, RoyalCert ensures a truly global reach, facilitating accessibility and convenience for clients seeking reliable and internationally recognized certification solutions.

By choosing RoyalCert International Registrars for GSTC certification, businesses align themselves with a trusted partner that combines global recognition, specialised expertise, and a commitment to ethical and transparent practices in promoting sustainable tourism.

Path to Certification

Achieving GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification for your organisation involves several steps and a commitment to sustainable practices. Here’s a roadmap to guide you through the process:

Step 1

Understanding GSTC Criteria

Familiarise yourself with the GSTC criteria. Understand the four pillars of sustainability: effective sustainability planning, maximising social and economic benefits for the local community, enhancing cultural heritage, and reducing negative impacts on the environment.

Step 2

Internal Assessment

Conduct an internal sustainability assessment to identify your organisation’s current practices, strengths, and areas for improvement. Create a sustainability team or designate a sustainability coordinator to lead the certification efforts.

Step 3

Develop a Sustainability Policy and Action Plan

Develop a comprehensive sustainability policy outlining your commitment to sustainable practices.
Create an action plan detailing specific steps and initiatives to meet GSTC criteria. This could include energy conservation, waste reduction, community engagement programs, etc.

Step 4

Internal Assessment

Step 5

Engage Stakeholders

Involve your staff, guests, suppliers, and local community in your sustainability efforts. Raise awareness and encourage participation.
Collaborate with local NGOs, community groups, or environmental organizations for joint projects.

Step 6

Documentation Preparation

Prepare all necessary documentation, including policies, procedures, and records of your sustainable initiatives.
Ensure you have evidence to support your compliance with GSTC criteria. This could include energy bills, waste disposal records, community engagement reports, etc.

Step 7

Pre-Assessment

We can perform a Pre-Assessment where we can identify any gaps in your practices before the official certification audit. This will give your organisation the chance to improve on any possible gaps prior to the certification audit.

Step 8

Provide us
with Necessary Information

Provide us with the necessary information by completing our application form. This will enable us to calculate and provide you with our most competitive offer for certification.
Contact us to receive the necessary application forms.

Step 9

Official
Certification Audit

RoyalCert will conduct an on-site audit to assess your organisation’s compliance with GSTC criteria. Be prepared to demonstrate your sustainable practices during this audit which is conducted in two stages. The First step is the Documentation Review followed by onsite certification audit. The first stage can also be an input for further improvement of the organisation’s documentation prior to stage two certification audit.

Step 10

Post-Audit Follow-up

Address any findings or recommendations from the audit promptly.
Once all requirements are met, and any findings have been resolved, you will receive your GSTC certification.

Step 11

Promote Your Certification

Promote your GSTC certification in your marketing materials, website, and communication with guests and partners. Continue your sustainable efforts and consider regular assessments to maintain and improve your sustainability practices.

Documents & Resources

GSTC Flyer

GSTC Steps Towards Certification Flyer

What are you looking for?

Some topics you might be interested in

GSTC

Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is a leading organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices worldwide. Established with the goal of setting standards and guidelines for sustainable tourism, GSTC plays a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future.

Significance in Promoting Sustainable Tourism

Aligning with Global Standards

Goals and Principles of GSTC

Benefits of GSTC Certification

Path to Certification

Understanding GSTC Criteria

Internal Assessment

Develop a Sustainability Policy and Action Plan

Internal Assessment

Engage Stakeholders

Documentation Preparation

Pre-Assessment

Provide us with Necessary Information

Official Certification Audit

Post-Audit Follow-up

Promote Your Certification

Documents & Resources

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Services

Provide us
with Necessary Information

Official
Certification Audit