Singapore earns global sustainability certification

The island nation is also the first destination to apply the GSTC certification process on a country level.

Singapore has been recognised as a sustainable destination based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Destination Criteria.
Singapore has been recognised as a sustainable destination based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Destination Criteria. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Richie Chan

Singapore has been recognised as a sustainable destination based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)’s Destination Criteria.

The GSTC Criteria are the global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. The island nation is also the first destination to apply the certification process on a country level, with Singapore certified based on its performance across four pillars: sustainable management, socioeconomic sustainability, cultural sustainability and environmental sustainability.

Keith Tan, chief executive, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said: “We are proud to receive this certification, which reflects Singapore’s commitment to the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and becoming a city in nature. Being certified is just the beginning of our journey. Tourism businesses must do more to internalise sustainability as part of their offerings, so that they can contribute to making Singapore greener and more liveable.”

Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC said: “The commitment from Singapore’s tourism sector to support their national Singapore Green Plan 2030 is apparent based on their holistic approach to sustainable tourism. We see firsthand some of their efforts to engage key subsectors of tourism in meaningful ways. Gaining destination certification requires that level of commitment and holistic approach. We commend them and are pleased to support their efforts for continuous improvement.”

A number of venues within Singapore have also recently achieved certification based on the relevant GSTC Criteria. They include Sentosa Development Corporation, Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands Singapore.


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