update

Luxury travel inspiration from the Asia-Pacific region

DestinAsian

Ahead of the GSTC2024 Singapore Global Sustainable Tourism Conference from November 13–16, the GSTC’s Chief Executive Officer elaborates on its mission and training courses, as well as the ways we can travel responsibly.
<figure id="attachment_140230" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-140230" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-140230 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Randy-Durband-GSTC-CEO-and-Resorts-World-Sentosa.jpg" alt="Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa will host the latest edition of the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference; GSTC CEO Randy Durband." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Randy-Durband-GSTC-CEO-and-Resorts-World-Sentosa.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Randy-Durband-GSTC-CEO-and-Resorts-World-Sentosa-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Randy-Durband-GSTC-CEO-and-Resorts-World-Sentosa-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Randy-Durband-GSTC-CEO-and-Resorts-World-Sentosa-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-140230" class="wp-caption-text">Left to right: Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa will host the latest edition of the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference; GSTC CEO Randy Durband. (Courtesy of Resorts World Sentosa and GSTC)</figcaption></figure>
For those who might not be familiar with the organization, could you tell us about the mission of Global Sustainable Tourism Council and what it does?
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) manages the <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GSTC Criteria</a>, the global standards for sustainable travel and tourism; and provides <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/accreditation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">international accreditation</a> for sustainable tourism Certification Bodies.
GSTC’s mission is to be an agent of change in the world of sustainable travel and tourism by fostering the increased knowledge, understanding, adoption and demand for sustainable tourism practices.
 
The latest Global Sustainable Tourism Conference is taking place on Singapore’s Sentosa Island. Aside from its international connectivity, what makes Singapore such an exemplary place to hold the event?
Singapore&#8217;s journey serves as a blueprint for other nations, reinforcing the idea that national-level commitment is key to achieving transformative results in sustainable tourism. <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/singapore-hotel-sustainability-roadmap-progress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Singapore’s Hotel Sustainability Roadmap</a> aims for 60% of hotel room stock to achieve sustainability certification through a <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/accreditation/gstc-accredited-certification-bodies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GSTC-Accredited Certification Body</a> by 2025. By aligning national strategies with global sustainability standards, countries can drive meaningful change across their tourism sectors, ensuring long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits.
Our Global Conference in Sentosa will be held at the Equarius Hotel, which is certified against <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-industry-criteria/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels</a>. The hotel is located within Resorts World Sentosa, the first destination in the world certified to both the<a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-destination-criteria/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> GSTC Destination Criteria</a> and<a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-industry-criteria/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels</a> in 2021. Additionally, both Sentosa and Singapore are also certified as sustainable destinations, further enhancing the credentials of the event’s setting.
Further, we wish to help showcase STB’s holistic approach to sustainable tourism by working on specific initiatives with several subsectors of the tourism industry.
 
GSTC offers training and certification programs to travel industry players. Given the extremely broad nature of sustainability, which areas deserve more attention globally?
Yes, GSTC offers several trainings inside its <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/sustainable-tourism-training/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Tourism Training Program</a>, and gives participants the opportunity to take the official exam to have the <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/sustainable-tourism-training/certificate-in-sustainable-tourism/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism</a> and the <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/sustainable-tourism-training/certificate-in-sustainable-business-travel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Professional Certificate in Sustainable Business Travel</a>.
The <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/sustainable-tourism-training/#sttpschedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course</a> is our star course, giving attendees the opportunity to dive deeper into the GSTC Criteria and make informed decisions on how to implement sustainability practices for their company or destination.
 
How are GSTC’s certification systems evolving in light of new scientific knowledge and accelerating climate change?
The GSTC Criteria are the result of a worldwide effort to develop a common language about sustainability in tourism. The GSTC Criteria are developed based on GSTC Standard Setting Manual v3.0, which is intended to comply with ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Sustainability Systems. The GSTC Criteria is revised every few years, its revision process includes two public consultations, allowing anyone interested to comment.
&nbsp;
How does GSTC ensure that its standards are met across the board, especially in developing countries where enforcement may be an issue?
The GSTC offers support to public sector authorities in the development of broadly applied policies and institutional structures that ensure sustainability in tourism and destination management is systematized, coherent, put into practice, measured, and monitored applying the GSTC Framework.
&nbsp;
There’s a tendency by some governments to equate “quality tourists” with high-spending individuals. What is your definition of a quality tourist?
A quality tourist isn’t defined solely by their spending power, but rather by their respect for the destination they visit and their commitment to minimizing their impact. A quality tourist should be a responsible one. Another aspect of being a quality tourist is one who endeavors to visit for a suitable length of time in order to appreciate the overall destination and participate in a variety of activities.
 
How do you go about raising awareness of the value of GSTC certification among both industry players and everyday consumers?
For those who are unaware, I want to state first that GSTC does NOT conduct certification. That is the job of the many Certification Bodies throughout the world; our job is to accredit those that certify. Accreditation is a mark of quality that GSTC places on Certification Bodies that choose our independent and neutral process to verify that they certify businesses, such as hotels or tour operators, or destinations, in a competent and neutral manner.
To raise awareness of the value of GSTC certification, we focus on education and collaboration. For industry players, we provide resources, training, and case studies that illustrate the tangible benefits of working with GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies, such as enhanced <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/market-access-program/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">market access</a>. We partner with travel platforms like booking.com, easyJet holidays, Traveloka, among others, to highlight businesses that have achieved GSTC certification, making it easier for travelers to identify and choose sustainable options.
The pursuit of sustainability through certification positions hotels as leaders in responsible tourism. It demonstrates a genuine commitment to protecting the planet and supporting local communities, ensuring that the hospitality industry can thrive in harmony with the environment for generations to come.
&nbsp;
As travelers, what habits can we adopt to ensure we have a positive effect on the places we visit?
As travelers, we have the power to make a positive impact on the destinations we visit by being mindful of our choices. Simple actions like supporting local businesses, choosing sustainable accommodations, reducing single-use plastics, and being respectful of local cultures and environments can make a significant difference. Opting for activities that promote conservation and respecting natural resources can help preserve the beauty and integrity of these places for future generations. Responsible travel is about making conscious decisions that benefit both the traveler and the destination.
 
In destinations grappling with overtourism, what solutions does GSTC advocate to protect the environment while safeguarding people’s livelihoods?
The <a href="https://www.gstcouncil.org/gstc-criteria/gstc-destination-criteria/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GSTC Destination Criteria</a> can be of great help in this matter, serving as basic guidelines for destinations that wish to become more sustainable. The Criteria are the minimum, not the maximum, which businesses, governments, and destinations should achieve to approach social, environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability.

Randy Durband of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council