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What is GSTC certification
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is an international organization created on the initiative of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with the aim of promoting a model of sustainable tourism and globally responsible.
To create a Common language on sustainability in tourism, the GSTC has developed a series of criteria that represent the international reference for evaluating environmental, social and governance performance (ESG) of destinations and accommodation facilities.
This is a sustainability certification built on the basis of decades of experience and good practices collections all over the world, freely available online.
Obtain certification in accordance with GSTC criteria allows accommodation facilities or tourist destinations to demonstrate in a clear and verifiable way its commitment to sustainable tourism, through a credible and internationally recognized brand, capable of strengthening the trust of guests, partners and stakeholders.
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The 4 criteria of GSTC certification
The GSTC standard is based on Four great criteria that define what it means to do tourism in a truly sustainable way. Around these pillars, the entire rating system, which guides organizations in integrating sustainability into their strategies and daily operations.
Let's see what the four criteria are.
1. Demonstrate effective sustainable management (Governance)
The structure or destination must adopt policies, procedures and monitoring systems that integrate sustainability in a structural way, from the definition of objectives to the reporting of results.
2. Maximize social and economic benefits for the local community and minimize negative impacts
Tourism becomes a development lever for the territory, generating work, valuing local suppliers and guaranteeing fair conditions along the entire value chain, while reducing any distortive effects on the social fabric.
3. Maximize cultural heritage benefits and minimize negative impact
Local culture, made up of traditions, places, identity, is not simply a background, but an element to be protected and valued, avoiding practices that could distort or damage it.
4. Maximize environmental benefits and minimize negative impact
The structure or tourist destination is called upon to carefully manage resources such as energy, water and materials, to reduce waste and emissions and to protect the natural ecosystems that surround it.
Starting from these four general criteria, the GSTC standard is divided into subcriteria more specific and in a series of indicators measurable, designed to monitor the actual implementation of sustainability actions.
In this way, certification is not limited to statements of principle, but is translated into concrete commitments, verifiable over time and comparable at the international level.
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The 6 steps to get GSTC certified
Obtaining GSTC certification means undertaking a structured path which helps the accommodation facility or tourist destination to integrate sustainability into daily management, up to verification by a third and independent body.
It is not just a brand, but a process that leads to continuous improvement of environmental, social and management performance.
1. Preliminary assessment
It starts with an initial evaluation of the practices already in place, comparing them with the requirements of the GSTC standard. In this phase, strengths and areas for improvement are identified, so as to have a clear picture of the starting situation. It is the basis on which to build the entire next path.
2. Collection of evidence
Once the requirements have been clarified, the structure is informed about the evidence to be provided to the certifier. We then proceed to collect and organize documents, data and procedures useful to demonstrate compliance with the GSTC criteria. The objective is to arrive at the audit with complete and easily accessible information.
3. Planning improvement activities
Based on the critical issues that have emerged, concrete actions are planned to fill the gaps with respect to the standard. Good practices, priorities, timing and internal responsibilities are defined, so as to make the structure's processes more sustainable. In this phase, the path takes operational form.
4. Completing the documentation
As the actions are put into practice, the documentation necessary for the audit is refined. The information is ordered, any deficiencies are checked and we prepare for the verification days with the certifier. It's time to line up all the work done.
5. Certifier Audit
When you are ready, an accredited certification body performs the audit, which may include documentary review and site visits. The certifier verifies compliance with the GSTC criteria and the real application of the declared practices. If all requirements are met, issue the official certification document.
6. Annual control audit
The certification lasts three years and includes annual control audits by the certifying body. These checks are used to monitor the maintenance of standards and the continuous improvement of the structure's performance. In this way, the certification remains alive and credible over time.
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Who can obtain GSTC certification
The GSTC certification is designed to adapt to the complexity of the tourism sector and for support all the players in the supply chain in improving its sustainability.
The standard, in Continuous evolution, is not limited to the certification of individual companies, but also offers methods designed for more structured organizations or networks of operators.
In addition to individual certification, the GSTC provides for:
- multisite certification, dedicated to organizations that are headed by a central office, such as hotel chains, business groups or franchises, and that wish to apply uniform standards in all offices;
- group certification, an evolution of traditional product clubs oriented to sustainability, ideal for independent organizations that share the same mission, such as consortia, territorial networks or professional associations.
The operators that can obtain the GSTC certification are different and represent the main protagonists of the tourism ecosystem:
- tourist destinations, such as municipalities, regions, protected areas or DMOs, which want to make the territory more sustainable, attractive and competitive, while at the same time valuing the local community;
- Tour operator, who can certify the sustainability of their services and packages, guaranteeing responsible experiences and responding to the growing demand for conscious travel;
- accommodation facilities (hotels, B&Bs, resorts, campsites, farmhouses, etc.) who wish to demonstrate their concrete commitment to sustainability and access competitive advantages offered by the certification.
Thanks to this flexibility, the GSTC asserts itself as a standard recognized and applicable to any tourist reality, regardless of size, type or organizational model.
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Why get GSTC certification
In the tourism sector, sustainability It is becoming more and more synonym of quality, reliability and competitiveness. Destinations, operators and the entire supply chain are investing in responsible practices to reduce impacts and generate value for territories.
However, without independent verification, this commitment risks remaining invisible or not credible in the eyes of travelers, partners and institutions.
The certification issued by GSTC accredited bodies, on the other hand, offers a authoritative and international recognition, able to attest that an accommodation facility is applying strict standards and that the path taken is concrete, measurable and oriented to continuous improvement.
The GSTC standard is considered the most complete and reliable reference for qualifying the sustainable tourist offer thanks to a series of distinctive characteristics:
- It is an international standard, used as a global base for commitment to sustainable tourism and recognized in hundreds of countries;
- is recognized by institutions, travelers and main intermediaries in the sector, ensuring greater visibility and competitiveness on the market;
- was born within the tourism sector thanks to technical skills accumulated over decades of experience;
- It is multisectoral, designed for all components of the tourism supply chain such as hotels, tour operators, destinations, attractions and services;
- allows you to access an international community, made up of certifying bodies, organizations and partners that collaborate to promote a sustainable tourism model;
- is based on an iterative process oriented to continuous improvement, which guides structures to measure, relaunch and perfect their performance over time.
Obtaining the GSTC certification therefore means standing out as a structure or tourist destination that not only declares to be sustainable, but proves it with facts, transparency and globally recognized standards. It is a choice that strengthens reputation, improves the quality of services and helps to build a more responsible future for tourism.
