GSTC Certification: the international standard of sustainable tourism
Managing tourism in a sustainable way is like managing an ecosystem: the destination is a tree, i.e. it behaves like a living organism, rooted in the territory, constantly evolving, made up of multiple interconnected parts and functions and endowed with its own identity.
WHAT IS THE GSTC CERTIFICATION?
Etifor has been a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council since 2019 and an official sponsor since 2022.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is the international body established by the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nation World Tourism Organization to promote sustainability and social responsibility in tourism.
In order to develop a common language on sustainability in tourism, sustainability criteria have been constructed based on decades of work and previous experience around the world. You can view the criteria for free here.
WHY GETTING A GSTC CERTIFICATION?
In tourism, sustainability will increasingly be a synonym for quality. The entire supply chain is implementing actions to improve its impact, but only certification by an independent body – such as those accredited by GSTC – can give authority to those who have decided to take this path with conviction.
The GSTC standard has certain characteristics that make it the best for guaranteeing the sustainability and quality of the tourism offer:
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- it is an international standard, which forms the basis for the commitment to sustainable tourism;
- it is recognised worldwide by institutions, tourists and the main intermediaries;
- it originates from tourism for tourism, so the principles are not engineering but derive from tourism methodology;
- it is multi-sectoral, as it addresses the entire supply chain;
- it provides access to a community with international players and partners;
- includes all aspects of sustainability, e.g. managerial, socio-economic, cultural, environmental;
- it is based on an iterative process that aims at continuous improvement of company management.
WHO CAN OBTAIN THE GSTC CERTIFICATION?
The GSTC standard is constantly evolving. In addition to single certification, GSTC offers the possibility of certification:
- multisite, for organizations that report to a central office (e.g., chains, franchises);
- gruppo, an evolution of product clubs in sustainability aimed at independent organizations that share the same mission.
Currently, the operators eligible for certification are:
OUR SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND REGENERATIVE TOURISM
Development of a sustainable management system
We support your destination, accommodation facility, agency in planning, implementing and monitoring its sustainability strategy according to the GSTC criteria. Learn more with our projects:
Product innovation
We assist you in the coordination of tour operators towards the creation of business networks for slow and sustainable tourism. Learn more with our projects::
Participatory approaches
We help you map and engage your destination stakeholders, your team and your guests towards sustainability goals through interactive and effective approaches. Learn more with our projects:
Strategic and Action Plan for Sustainable Tourism
We offer stakeholder engagement support to develop a Strategic and Operational Plan for Sustainable Tourism aligned to the GSTC standard with objectives and targets tailored to the relevant territorial context. Find out more about our projects:
Nature positive strategy
With our MARC approach, we accompany tourism organisations on a path of environmental and social responsibility. Learn more with our projects:
Financial instruments for the conservation of natural areas
Through our WOWnature platform and GRAN approach, we assist you in developing a strategy to finance biodiversity and wilderness conservation through tourism, generating benefits for local communities. Find out more with our projects::
FACILITIES CERTIFIED GSTC WITH OUR SUPPORT
DESTINATIONS CERTIFIED GSTC WITH OUR SUPPORT