The GSTC Industry standard Revision has concluded successfully

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has announced the successful completion of the revision process for version 3 of its Industry Standard for Hotels and Tour Operators, marking a significant update in the global sustainability framework for tourism businesses.

As a result of this revision, the former single GSTC Industry Standard, which previously included two sets of performance indicators within one framework, has now been formally divided into two distinct standards: the GSTC Hotel Standard and the GSTC Tour Operator Standard. The change is intended to better address the operational realities and sustainability challenges faced by different types of tourism businesses.

With this milestone, the total number of published GSTC Standards has increased to five. These include the GSTC Destination Standard, designed for public policy-makers and destination management organisations; the GSTC Hotel Standard, applicable to hotels and all types of accommodation regardless of size or location; the GSTC Tour Operator Standard, covering tour operators of all scales; the GSTC MICE Standard for venues, event organisers, and exhibitions; and the GSTC Attraction Standard for tourism attractions such as theme parks, museums, and natural or cultural parks.

A visual for the Standard revision process is shown below:

In parallel, the GSTC confirmed that work is ongoing on the GSTC Food and Beverage Service Provider Standard, which is currently under development and is expected to be launched in early 2026.

Commenting on the revision, Randy Durband, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, said: “This fourth revision marks an important step forward in our ongoing effort to ensure that the GSTC Standards remain relevant, practical, and globally applicable. By separating the Industry Standard into two distinct standards for hotels on one side, and tour operators on the other, we are better supporting the diverse realities of tourism businesses around the world while maintaining the same vision: to strengthen the holistic approach to sustainability management that balances environmental integrity, cultural respect, and economic viability within the tourism sector.”