GSTC Certification

ASI Accreditation Code(ASI-ACC-086)

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is an independent organization established in 2007 by UNEP, the United Nations Environment Program, and UNWTO, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, for promoting the increased knowledge, understanding and adoption of sustainable tourism practices.

The GSTC employs a worldwide network of members, representing a wide range of stakeholders in the tourism sector, leading international tour operators, government organizations, national tourism councils, local and international hospitality brands.

The GSTC has developed a set of standards, known also as GSTC criteria. The criteria represent the minimum requirements that any tourism business should reach for socially, economically, culturally and environmentally sustainable tourism in all the world:

• GSTC C-HTO: GSTC criteria for hotels and operators;
• GSTC CD: GSTC for destinations.

 The GSTC Criteria are globally recognized; they should be adapted and expanded to the specific conditions of each region of the world and each industry sector. The GSTC Criteria are available on GSTC website.

They are organized around four main themes:

1. demonstrate effective sustainable management;
2. maximize social and economic benefits to the local community and minimize negative impacts;
3. maximize benefits to cultural heritage and minimize negative impacts;
4. maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative impacts

The criteria are revised every 3-5 years. Third party audits are carried out to ensure that hotels, operators and  destinations meet the requirements of the scheme. The audits are carried by an accredited certification body. ASI (Accreditation Services International) is the Accreditation Body of GSTC.

Vireo is leading the accreditation process ASI to issue the GSTC certification for hotels, tour operators and destinations.

Complaints and appeals procedures are available on request.

See the list of Vireo’s GSTC certifcates.