GSTC Attraction Criteria: comments welcome during public consultation period

The first public consultation period for the new GSTC Attraction Criteria being spearheaded by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council has begun and will remain open until the 15 March 2024.

Industry stakeholders are welcome to make their comments on the whole criteria - this invitation is open to anyone who is involved with tourist attractions and sustainability. This includes event planners, DMCs, hotel owners, theme parks, museums, attractions, national parks, policymakers, academics, non-profits, community members, or even individual travellers.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council announced in April 2023 the development of two new criteria sets, GSTC MICE Criteria and GSTC Attraction Criteria, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

The new initiative aims to serve as the global sustainability standards for these respective industries.

The GSTC Attraction Criteria includes four sections:

· Section A (demonstrate effective sustainable management)

· Section B (maximise social and economic benefits to the local community and minimise negative impacts

· Section C (maximise benefits to cultural heritage and minimise negative impacts)

· Section D (maximise benefits to the environment and minimise negative impacts).

When the first public consultation period is over, a compiling and revision will be made which will be reviewed during the feasibility assessment, followed by drafting revisions as needed.

The current Attraction Criteria Development Advisory Group includes STB, Association of Singapore Attractions (ASA), The Global Association for the Attractions Industry (IAAPA), South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA), The Royal Djurgården Society, and U.S. National Park Service.

Participants at the GSTC2024 Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, from 23-26 April 2024, will have the opportunity to participate in an in-person consultation workshop about the GSTC Attraction Criteria.

GSTC establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are currently two sets:

· Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers

· Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators.

These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for accreditation of certification bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place.

GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but it accredits those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organisation.