GSTC publishes new GSTC Attraction Criteria

 

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) is pleased to announce that the GSTC Attraction Criteria has been published. Developed with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for attractions – such as theme parks, museums, national parks, etc. with the aim to guide businesses toward implementing sustainable practices in response to the growing focus on sustainability.

The GSTC Criteria serve as the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. The Criteria are used for education and awareness-raising, policy-making for businesses, organizations and government agencies, measurement and evaluation, and as a basis for certification. They are the result of a worldwide effort to develop a common language about sustainability in tourism and are arranged in four pillars: (A) Sustainable management; (B) Socioeconomic impacts; (C) Cultural impacts; (D) Environmental impacts.

The GSTC Attraction Criteria is the fourth GSTC Criteria set, in addition to the GSTC Industry Criteria (for Hotels and Tour operators), the GSTC Destination Criteria, and the GSTC MICE Criteria. All GSTC Criteria sets are publicly available for non-commercial use.

 

GSTC Attraction Criteria 

Establishing clear guidelines to promote sustainable practices across the attractions sector was crucial. The GSTC Attraction Criteria have been meticulously crafted to meet the diverse needs of various attractions, ranging from natural wonders to cultural landmarks. The criteria serve as the minimum that all attractions should achieve to approach social, environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability. By embracing the new GSTC Attraction Criteria, attractions can elevate visitor experiences while safeguarding their environmental and cultural heritage for future generations.

The GSTC Attraction Criteria aims to serve as the global sustainability standards for Attraction businesses and provide a common understanding of sustainable practices in the Attraction industry worldwide.

“Today marks a significant step forward as we introduce the GSTC Attractions Criteria, the culmination of 14 months of collaboration and dedication. We deeply appreciate the contributions of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) who made this possible. Together, let’s embrace this opportunity to lead the attractions sector towards a more sustainable path,” says Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.

Jean Ng, Assistant Chief Executive, Experience Development Group, STB, said: “STB is proud to have supported the development of the GSTC Attraction Criteria. This new set of global standards marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to promote sustainability within the attractions industry. By collaborating with GSTC and our industry partners, we aim to help attractions embrace sustainable practices as they deliver an engaging visitor experience.”

Continue reading the full announcement on our website

Tags: Jean Ng, Randy Durband, Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®)