Recognition of Standards by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

Published on January 29, 2020

GSTC-Recognized Standards are sustainable tourism standards that adhere to and are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. This means that the GSTC Criteria are included within the set of standards owned by a Certification Body, by a municipal, provincial, or national tourism authority, by specialized tourism organization, or by large tourism businesses with multiple business units. GSTC-Recognized means that a sustainable tourism standard has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel, and deemed equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. This means that the GSTC has verified that the standard aligns with the GSTC Criteria and that any additional clauses do not contradict GSTC Criteria requirements. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that the certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify includes the minimum elements to ensure sustainability. A Certification Body that utilizes a GSTC-Recognized standard may apply for GSTC-Accreditation which relates to the quality and neutrality of their certification process. https://www.gstcouncil.org/certification/achieve-gstc-recognized/ International credibility that the certification is Recognized as a standard that aligns with universal criteria for sustainable management, social and economic benefits to the local community, cultural heritage preservation and the reduction of pollution. The following standards have been Recognized as aligned with the GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels and Accommodations: https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-recognized-standards-for-hotels/ The following standards have been Recognized as aligned with the GSTC Industry Criteria for Tour Operators: https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-recognized-standards-for-tour-operators/ The following standards have been Recognized as aligned with the GSTC Criteria for Destinations: https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-recognized-standards-for-destinations/