Global Sustainable Tourism Council Services
Introduction
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is the leading authority establishing and upholding global sustainable standards for best practices in tourism. Its GSTC Criteria based on four main pillars - effective sustainable management, maximizing socio-economic benefits to local communities, preserving cultural heritage, and environmental protection - represent the unified voice of a diverse global membership spanning UN agencies, NGOs, governments, travel companies, hotels, tour operators, individuals, and communities - all united in driving sustainable tourism practices worldwide.
Catalyzing the transformation towards a more sustainable tourism economy, Bureau Veritas provides a clear pathway for businesses operating within the industry to demonstrate compliance to GSTC standards and sustainability practices. Providing guidance, training and certification aligned with the renowned GSTC Criteria, Bureau Veritas empowers businesses to implement responsible, environmentally sound practices that positively impact communities while maintaining a competitive edge and ensuring full regulatory compliance.
Sectors
The GSTC service applies to the travel and tourism sector.
- Hotels, Accommodations, Tour Operators
- Venues, Event Organizers, Events & Exhibitions
- Public policymakers and Destinations managers
- Tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, national parks
SUCCESS STORY
Bureau Veritas' GSTC certification services enabled Centara Hotels & Resorts, a leading Southeast Asian hotel group, to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable tourism practices in 2022. The certification process validated Centara's efforts in reducing energy and water consumption, supporting local communities, and implementing sustainable practices across its portfolio of hotels and resorts, showcasing Bureau Veritas' expertise in driving responsible tourism initiatives.
Bureau Veritas partnered with JTB Corp., Japan's preeminent tour operator, in 2022. Through unwavering dedication and rigorous assessment, JTB Corp. attained the prestigious Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification in November 2024, a feat that resonated across the Japanese travel industry. This monumental achievement, facilitated by Bureau Veritas' unparalleled expertise, not only solidified JTB Corp.'s commitment to sustainability but also catalysed a paradigm shift, inspiring the entire sector to embrace GSTC's globally recognized standards for responsible tourism practices.
Challenges
In 2024, international tourism rebounded, virtually recovering to pre-pandemic levels with an estimated 1.4 billion international tourists recorded by UN Tourism, signifying the resurgence of the travel and tourism industry.
With the sector's substantial growth, it is crucial to strike a balance between meeting the increasing demand for travel experiences and ensuring sustainable practices that minimize negative impacts like environmental degradation, overcrowding, and erosion of local cultures.
To tackle these challenges, businesses operating within the industry must navigate regulatory requirements, competitive pressures, and environmental trends, while concurrently showcase their sustainable operations through internationally recognized standards such as GSTC.
OUR IMPACT
Up to 1 Jan 2025, BV certified more than 376 hotels and tour operators, and such numbers increased rapidly.
Why Bureau Veritas?
Bureau Veritas enhances business competitiveness through globally recognized certifications and lends credibility to sustainability endeavours as an independent, professional, and transparent partner. Leveraging its global network and profound technical expertise, Bureau Veritas delivers innovative solutions that ensure clients' assets, products, infrastructure, and processes adhere to stringent quality, health, safety, environmental, and social responsibility standards, driving performance improvement worldwide.
OUR SERVICES
- Advisory: Tailored guidance and recommendations for implementing sustainable tourism practices aligned with GSTC Criteria.
- Training: Specialized programs to equip professionals with knowledge and skills for understanding and applying GSTC Criteria.
- Audit: Rigorous assessments of an organization's compliance with GSTC Criteria and sustainability practices.
- Verification: Independent validation of an organization's claims of sustainable tourism practices and adherence to GSTC Criteria.
- Certification: Globally recognized certification for organizations meeting GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism practices.