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image APPENDIX 3

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CRITERIA FOR DESTINATIONS
Section A: Demonstrate sustainable destination management

A1 Tourism strategy

The destination has established and is implementing a multi-year tourism strategy that is publicly available, is suited to its scale, that considers environmental, economic, social, cultural heritage, quality, health, and safety issues, and was developed with public participation.

A2 Tourism management organisation

The destination has an effective organisation, department, group, or committee responsible for a coordinated approach to sustainable tourism. This group has defined responsibilities for the management of environmental, economic, social, and cultural heritage issues.

A3 Monitoring

The destination has a system to monitor, publicly report, and respond to environmental, economic, social, and cultural heritage issues.

A4 Climate change adaptation

The destination has a system to identify challenges and opportunities associated with climate change. This system encourages climate change adaptation strategies for development, siting, design, and management of tourism facilities. The system contributes to the sustainability and resilience of the destination.

A5 Inventory of attraction sites

The destination has an up-to-date, publicly available inventory of its key tourism assets and attractions including natural, historical, archaeological, religious, spiritual, and cultural sites.

A6 Planning regulations

The destination has planning guidelines, regulations, and policies that integrate sustainable land use, design, construction, and demolition. The regulations protect natural and cultural heritage, are publicly communicated, and are enforced.

A7 Access for all

All tourist sites and facilities, including those of natural, cultural and historic importance, are accessible to all, including persons with disabilities and others who have specific access requirements. Where such sites and facilities are not immediately accessible, access should be afforded through the design and implementation of solutions that take into account both the integrity of the site and such reasonable accommodations for persons with access requirements as can be achieved.

A8 Property acquisitions

Laws and regulations regarding property acquisitions exist, are enforced, consider communal and indigenous rights, and do not authorise resettlement without informed consent and/or full compensation.

A9 Tourist satisfaction

The destination has a system to monitor, to publicly report and, if necessary, to take action to improve tourist satisfaction.

A10 Sustainability standards

The destination has a system to promote sustainability standards consistent with the GSTC criteria for tourism enterprises.

A11 Safety and security

The destination has a system to prevent and respond to tourism-related crime, safety, and health hazards.

A12 Crisis and emergency preparedness and response

The destination has a crisis and emergency response plan that is appropriate to the destination. Key elements are communicated to residents, tourists, and tourism-related enterprises. The plan establishes procedures and provides resources and training.

A13 Promotion

Promotion is accurate with regard to the destination and its products, services, and sustainability claims. The promotional messages are authentic and respectful.395
Section B: Maximise economic benefits to the host community and minimise negative impacts

B1 Economic monitoring

The direct and indirect economic contribution of tourism to the destination’s economy is regularly monitored. These results are publicly reported.

B2 Local career opportunities

The destination provides equal employment and training opportunities for local residents. The opportunities are open to women, youth, minorities, and other vulnerable populations.

B3 Stakeholder participation

The destination has a system that enables stakeholders to participate in tourism-related planning and decision making on an ongoing basis.

B4 Local community opinion

Residents’ aspirations, concerns, and satisfaction with tourism are regularly monitored, recorded and publicly reported. Care is taken to ensure that key stakeholders are included and that responsive action is taken where needed.

B5 Local access

The destination protects, monitors, and safeguards local resident access to natural, historical, archaeological, religious, spiritual, and cultural sites.

B6 Tourism awareness

The destination provides regular programs to residents to enhance their understanding of tourism opportunities, tourism challenges, and the importance of sustainability.

B7 Preventing exploitation

The destination has a defined system and established practices to prevent commercial, sexual, or any other form of exploitation and harassment, particularly of children, adolescents, women, and minorities.

B8 Support for community

The destination has a system to enable tourism-related enterprises to support community and development initiatives.

B9 Supporting local entrepreneurs and fair trade

The destination has a system that supports local entrepreneurs and promotes fair trade principles.
Section C: Maximise benefits to communities, visitors, and cultural heritage and minimise negative impacts

C1 Attraction protection

The destination has a policy and system to conserve key natural, historical, archaeological, religious, spiritual, and cultural sites, including scenic, cultural, and wild landscapes.

C2 Visitor management

The destination has a visitor management system for attraction sites that includes measures to preserve and protect key natural and cultural assets.

C3 Visitor behaviour

The destination has publicly available guidelines for visitor behaviour that are designed to minimise adverse impacts.

C4 Cultural heritage protection

Historical and archaeological artifacts are not illegally sold, traded or displayed.

C5 Site interpretation

Interpretive information is provided at key natural, historical, archaeological, religious, spiritual, and cultural sites. The information is communicated in relevant languages.

C6 Intellectual property

The destination has a system to ensure respect for the tangible and intangible intellectual property of individuals and communities.

C7 Visitor contributions

The destination has a system that encourages visitors to volunteer or contribute to community development, cultural heritage, and biodiversity conservation.396
Section D: Maximise benefits to the environment and minimise negative impacts

D1 Environmental risks

The destination has identified key environmental risks and has a system in place to address these.

D2 Protection of sensitive environments

The destination has a system to monitor the impact of tourism on sensitive environments and protect habitats and species.

D3 Wildlife protection

The destination has a system to ensure compliance with local, national, and international standards for the harvest or capture, display, and sale of wildlife (including both plants and animals).

D4 Greenhouse gas emissions

The destination has a system to encourage tourism-related enterprises and services to measure, monitor, report, and mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions.

D5 Energy conservation

The destination has a system to promote energy conservation, measure energy consumption, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The destination encourages tourism-related enterprises to conserve energy and use renewable energy technologies.

D6 Water management

The destination has a system to conserve and manage water usage. The destination encourages tourism-related enterprises to manage and conserve water.

D7 Water security

The destination has a system to monitor its water resources to ensure that use by tourism is compatible with the water requirements of the destination community.

D8 Water quality

The destination has a system to monitor drinking and recreational water quality. The monitoring results are publicly available.

D9 Wastewater

The destination has clear and enforced guidelines in place for the siting, maintenance and testing of discharge from septic tanks and wastewater treatment systems.

D10 Solid waste reduction

The destination has a system to ensure solid waste is reduced, reused, and recycled. The destination encourages tourism-related enterprises to adopt waste reduction strategies.

D11 Light and noise pollution

The destination has guidelines and regulations to minimise noise, light, and visual pollution. The destination encourages tourism-related enterprises to follow these guidelines and regulations.

D12 Low impact transport

The destination has a system to increase the use of low-impact transport, including public transport, in the destination.
GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CRITERIA FOR HOTELS AND TOUR OPERATORS
Section A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management

A1

The organisation has implemented a long-term sustainability management system that is suitable to its reality and scope, and which addresses environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, health and safety issues.

A2

The organisation is in compliance with all applicable local to international legislation and regulations (including, among others, health, safety, labor and environmental aspects).

A3

All personnel receive periodic guidance and training regarding their roles and responsibilities with respect to environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, health and safety issues.

A4

Customer satisfaction, including sustainability aspects, is measured and corrective action taken.

A5

Promotional materials are accurate and complete with regard to the organisation and its products and services, including sustainability claims. They do not promise more than is being delivered.

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Section A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management

A6

Planning, design, construction, renovation, operation and demolition of buildings and infrastructure

A6.1

Comply with zoning requirements and with laws related to protected areas and heritage consideration.

A6.2

Respect for the natural and cultural heritage surroundings in planning, siting, design and impact assessment.

A6.3

Use locally appropriate sustainable practices and materials.

A6.4

Provide access for persons with special needs, where appropriate.

A7

Land and water rights, and property acquisition are legal, comply with local communal and indigenous rights, including their free, prior and informed consent, and do not require involuntary resettlement.

A8

Information about and interpretation of the natural surroundings, local culture, and cultural heritage is provided to customers, as well as explaining appropriate behaviour while visiting natural areas, living cultures, and cultural heritage sites.
Section B: Maximise social and economic benefits to the host community and minimise negative impacts

B1

The organisation actively supports initiatives for local infrastructure and social community development including, among others, education, training, health and sanitation.

B2

Local residents are given equal opportunity for employment including in management positions. All employees are equally offered regular training, experience and opportunities for advancement.

B3

Local services and goods are purchased and offered by the organisation, following fair-trade principles.

B4

The organisation offers the means for local small entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable products that are based on the area’s nature, history and culture (including food and beverages, crafts, performance arts, agricultural products, etc.).

B5

A documented code of conduct for activities in indigenous and local communities has been developed and implemented with the collaboration and consent of the affected community.

B6

The organisation has implemented a policy against commercial, sexual or any other form of exploitation and harassment, particularly of children, adolescents, women and minorities.

B7

The organisation offers equal employment opportunities to women, local minorities and others, including in management positions, while restraining child labour.

B8

The international or national legal protection of employees is respected, and employees are paid at least a living wage.

B9

The activities of the organisation do not jeopardise the provision of basic services, such as food, water, energy, healthcare or sanitation, to neighbouring communities.

B10

Tourism activity does not adversely affect local access to livelihoods, including land and aquatic resource use, rights-of-way, transport and housing.
Section C: Maximise benefits to cultural heritage and minimise negative impacts

C1

The organisation follows established guidelines or a code of behaviour for visits to culturally or historically sensitive sites, in order to minimise negative visitor impact and maximise enjoyment.

C2

Historical and archaeological artifacts are not sold, traded or displayed, except as permitted by local to international law.

C3

The organisation contributes to the protection and preservation of local historical, archaeological, culturally and spiritually important properties and sites, and does not impede access to them by local residents.

C4

The organisation incorporates elements of local art, architecture, or cultural heritage in its operations, design, decoration, food, or shops; while respecting the intellectual property rights of local communities.398
Section D: Maximise benefits to the environment and minimise negative impacts

D1 Conserving resources

D1.1

Purchasing policies favour locally appropriate and ecologically sustainable products, including building materials, capital goods, food, beverages and consumables.

D1.2

The purchase and use of disposable and consumable goods is measured and the organisation actively seeks ways to reduce their use.

D1.3

Energy consumption is measured, sources are indicated, and measures are adopted to minimise overall consumption, and encourage the use of renewable energy.

D1.4

Water consumption is measured, sources are indicated, and measures are adopted to minimise overall consumption. Water sourcing is sustainable, and does not adversely affect environmental flows.

D2 Reducing pollution

D2.1

Greenhouse gas emissions from all sources controlled by the organisation are measured, procedures are implemented to minimise them, and offsetting remaining emissions is encouraged.

D2.2

The organisation encourages its customers, staff and suppliers to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

D2.3

Wastewater, including grey water, is effectively treated and is only reused or released safely, with no adverse effects to the local population and the environment.

D2.4

Waste is measured, mechanisms are in place to reduce waste, and where reduction is not feasible, to re-use or recycle it. Any residual waste disposal has no adverse effect on the local population and the environment.

D2.5

The use of harmful substances, including pesticides, paints, swimming pool disinfectants, and cleaning materials, is minimised, and substituted when available, by innocuous products or processes. All storage, use, handling, and disposal of chemicals are properly managed.

D2.6

The organisation implements practices to minimise pollution from noise, light, runoff, erosion, ozone-depleting compounds, and air, water and soil contaminants.

D3 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and landscapes

D3.1

Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilisation is sustainable, and in compliance with local to international laws.

D3.2

No captive wildlife is held, except for properly regulated activities, in compliance with local to international law. Living specimens of protected and wildlife species are only kept by those authorised and suitably equipped to house and care for them humanely.

D3.3

The organisation takes measures to avoid the introduction of invasive alien species. Native species are used for landscaping and restoration wherever feasible, particularly in natural landscapes.

D3.4

The organisation supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation, including natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value.

D3.5

Interactions with wildlife, taking into account cumulative impacts, do not produce adverse effects on the viability and behaviour of populations in the wild. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimised, rehabilitated, and there is a compensatory contribution to conservation management.

Sources: Global Sustainable Tourism Council 2013. ‘Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators’. www.gstcouncil.org; Global Sustainable Tourism Council 2013. ‘Global Sustainable Tourism Destination Criteria’. www.gstcouncil.org.

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