About GSTC

More than 900 million international tourists travelled last year, and UNWTO forecasts 1.6 billion tourists by the year 2020. In order to minimize the negative impacts of this growth – and harness its power to help make positive change in the world - sustainability must translate from words to facts, and be an imperative for all tourism stakeholders.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is a global initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism practices around the world. Momentum around this movement is growing. The GSTC is currently active in all UNWTO regions, including Africa, The Americas, East Asia and the Pacific, South Asia, Europe and Middle East.

Representing a diverse and global membership (See our Members) – including UN agencies, leading travel companies, hotels, country tourism boards and tour operators - the GSTC serves as the international body for promoting the increased knowledge, understanding and adoption of sustainable tourism practices.

The GSTC fosters sustainable tourism through the adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles; compiling, adapting and creating the tools and training to engage in sustainable tourism practices; and increasing the demand for sustainable tourism products and services.  

At the heart of this work are the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, the minimum requirements that any tourism business should aspire to reach in order 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.

More than 170 US Cities have already adopted the Criteria including San Francisco, CA; Miami, FL; Maui, HI; and Los Angeles, CA.

"This is a win-win initiative – good for the environment and good for the world’s tourism industry.”

Ted Turner, founder and Chairman of the Board, United Nations Foundation

"The Council offers an overdue common framework that supports businesses and other stakeholders in their efforts to work together with destinations and local people to achieve sustainability in tourism.”

Bruce Poon Tip, CEO of Gap Adventures and TSC founding partner