GSTC Destination Criteria
Version 2.0
6 December 2019
with

Performance indicators and SDGs

Formally endorsed by the GSTC International Standards Working Group and formally adopted by the GSTC
Board of Directors as the first revision of the GSTC Destination Criteria per the terms of the GSTC Bylaws© The Global Sustainable Tourism Council, 2019, All Rights Reserved

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council
PO Box 96503 - #51887
Washington, DC 20090 USA
info@gstcouncil.org
www.gstcouncil.org

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GSTC Destination Criteria v2.0

Preamble
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Criteria were created to provide a common understanding ofsustainable tourism. The GSTC Destinations Criteria – known informally also as “GSTC-D” -- are the minimumthat any tourism destination should aspire to reach. They are organized around four main themes: sustainable
management; socio-economic impacts; cultural impacts; and environmental impacts. They have applicability
to the entire tourism sector.
The GSTC Criteria have been developed and revised while striving to adhere to the Standard-Setting Code of
the ISEAL Alliance, the body recognized to provide guidance on international norms for developing
sustainability standards in all sectors. The most recent revision of the GSTC-D took place in 2019 and wasbased on two rounds of stakeholder consultation. Information on the development of the criteria and plans
for future revisions are available on www.gstcouncil.org.
What are the Criteria for?
Some of the uses of the GSTC Destination Criteria include the following:• Serve as the basis for certification for sustainability• Serve as basic guidelines for destinations that wish to become more sustainable• Help consumers identify sound sustainable tourism destinations• Serve as a common denominator for information media to recognize destinations and inform the publicregarding their sustainability• Help certification and other voluntary destination level programs ensure that their standards meet abroadly accepted baseline• Offer governmental, non-governmental, and private sector programs a starting point for developing
sustainable tourism requirements• Serve as basic guidelines for education and training bodies, such as tourism schools and universities• Demonstrate leadership that inspires others to act.
The Criteria indicate what should be done, not how to do it or whether the goal has been achieved. This roleis fulfilled by performance indicators, associated educational materials, and access to tools for
implementation, all of which are an indispensable complement to the GSTC Criteria.
To whom do the Criteria apply?
The GSTC-D have been designed for destinations 1. The criteria do not relate to a single body but rather to a
named place that can be uniquely identified. The criteria simply require that the condition described pertains
in that destination, irrespective of what body may be responsible for it or how or by whom any related action
is implemented.

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A destination has been defined by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as: “A physical space with or without administrative

and/or analytical boundaries in which a visitor can spend an overnight. It is the cluster (co-location) of products and services, and ofactivities and experiences along the tourism value chain and a basic unit of analysis of tourism. A destination incorporates various
stakeholders and can network to form larger destinations”.

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GSTC Destination Criteria v2.0

The scope of the GSTC-D is broad and the Criteria can be applied to a wide range of destinations. They may
be in any part of the world and of any type (e.g. urban, rural, mountain, coastal or mixed). The criteria canrelate to large destinations (e.g. sizeable cities or regions) and to small ones (e.g. national parks, clusters of
local communities, etc.).
While the GSTC-D relate to the place, not to a body, many of the criteria may nevertheless be taken up by andapplied through a destination management organisation which is responsible for a coordinated approach tosustainable tourism within the destination. The existence of such an organisation is a central requirement of
the GSTC-D, as stipulated in Criterion A1. It should be noted that such an organisation is not necessarily alocal authority or public sector body and requires the involvement of both the public and private sector.
Some of the criteria refer to enterprises. These may be individual businesses but they may also be other formsof facility, operation and undertaking. For example they could include museums, festivals, public buildings
and monuments, not only commercial businesses such as hotels or paid attractions.
Performance indicators and SDGs
The performance indicators presented here are designed to provide guidance in measuring compliance withthe criteria. They are not intended to be the definitive set or all-inclusive, but to provide a solid sample set forusers of the GSTC C-D in developing their own indicator sets. The performance indicators essentially provide
a suggested list of circumstances, factors, evidence and actions to be looked for in a destination in assessing
compliance with the criteria.
Application of the criteria will help a destination to contribute towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Against each of the criteria, one or more of the 17
SDGs is identified, to which it most closely relates.
Language and Translations
English is the official language of the GSTC Criteria and its related system.
Translations into other languages appearing on the GSTC website or elsewhere are to be used for training andawareness purposes and are not authorized for usage in technical programs including certification andaccreditation except where specifically stipulated by formal agreement between the GSTC or its authorized
Accreditation Body and the standard owner and/or Certification Body. In the case of authorized usage of alanguage other than English, any doubt regarding interpretation of the Criteria shall revert to the official
English language version.
Transition period
The transition periods for replacing GSTC Destination Criteria v1.0 with v2.0 are based on function, as follows:• For purposes of policy-setting, training, and any other purposes not related to certification, v2.0 should
be used with immediate effect• Owners of GSTC-Recognized destination/community standards shall have a period of two years to comply
with the new v2.0, up to 31st December 2021. Owners may wish to adapt their standard to the revisions
earlier, but should do so no later than June 30th, 2021, to allow time for any necessary adjustments per
GSTC’s review of the compliance of those changes.
• Certification Bodies that were accredited to certify destinations to GSTC Destination Criteria v1.0 musthave the revised v2.0 fully integrated into the certification system with evidence of past application of it
by December 31st, 2021. Their normal maintenance of accredited status shall not be delayed during thetransition period. New applicants for Accreditation after December 2019 must ensure that they are using
GSTC-D v2.0, or a GSTC-Recognized standard that is equivalent to v2.0, prior to submitting an application
for Accreditation.

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Revisions to the GSTC Criteria
This version (v2.0) has been formally adopted by the Board of the Directors as the definitive version of the
GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D), as from 6 December 2019.
This version of the GSTC Destination Criteria (v2.0) is the 1st revision since their December 2013 formal release.
GSTC shall conduct periodic reviews of no less than five years after the previous revision to determine whether
the current version remains relevant and whether and when a formal revision process should commence. The
next such review shall likely take place approximately December 2024. GSTC welcomes comment on the
Criteria at any time via the Criteria section of www.gstcouncil.org. Should comments provide evidence ofneed to conduct a review earlier than December 2024, GSTC may conduct a review at an earlier date.
The structure of the criteria
The criteria are in four sections, each with two or three sub-sections, as shown below. The order of thesections and sub-sections in no way indicates the relative importance of each topic.
SECTION A: Sustainable management

SECTION C: Cultural sustainability

A(a) Management structure and framework

C(a) Protecting cultural heritage

A(b) Stakeholder engagement

C(b) Visiting cultural sites

A(c) Managing pressure and change

SECTION B: Socio-economic sustainability

SECTION D: Environmental sustainability

B(a) Delivering local economic benefits

D(a) Conservation of natural heritage

B(b) Social wellbeing and impacts

D(b) Resource management
D(c) Management of waste and emissions

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GSTC DESTINATION CRITERIA v2.0
Criteria

Indicators

SECTION A: Sustainable management
A(a) Management structure and framework
A1 Destination management responsibility
The destination has an effective organization,
department, group, or committee responsible
for a coordinated approach to sustainable
tourism, with involvement by the private
sector, public sector and civil society. This
group has defined responsibilities, oversight,
and implementation capability for the
management of socio- economic, cultural andenvironmental issues. The group is adequately
funded, works with a range of bodies indelivering destination management, has accessto sufficient staffing (including personnel withexperience in sustainability) and follows
principles of sustainability and transparency inits operations and transactions.

a. Documentary evidence showing relevant make-up
and responsibilities of the group.
b. A financial plan and budget showing current andfuture funding sources.
c. Evidence of links and engagement with otherbodies.
d. Records of permanent staff and contracted
personnel, indicating relevant experience.
e. Management guidelines and processes, which
demonstrate awareness and adherence tosustainability principles and transparency inoperations and letting of contracts.

A2 Destination management strategy andaction plan
The destination has established and is
implementing a multi-year destination
management strategy and action plan that is
publicly available, is suited to its scale, wasdeveloped with stakeholder engagement and isbased on sustainability principles. The strategy
includes an identification and assessment of
tourism assets and considers socio-economic,
cultural and environmental issues and risks.
The strategy relates to and influences wider
sustainable development policy and action in
the destination.

a. A published document setting out the current
destination strategy and action.
b. The strategy/plan clearly visible and available online.
c. Evidence of stakeholder consultation, meetings
etc. in developing the plan.
d. Reference to sustainability principles and anassessment of assets, issues and risks, containedin the strategy and action plan.
e. Specific references in the strategy/action plan towider sustainable development policy (including
pursuit of the SDGs), and vice versa.

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GSTC Destination Criteria v2.0

A3 Monitoring and reporting
The destination is implementing a system tomonitor and respond to socio-economic,
cultural and environmental issues and impacts
arising from tourism. Actions and outcomesare regularly monitored, evaluated andpublicly reported. The monitoring system isperiodically reviewed.

a. Specific quantifiable socio-economic, cultural andenvironmental indicators and targets identified.
b. Measurement against these indicators, withresults recorded and publicised at least annually.
c. Written evidence of monitoring and reporting ofactions and outcomes.
d. Previous reviews of monitoring system andschedule for future reviews.

A(b) Stakeholder engagement
A4 Enterprise engagement and sustainability
standards
The destination regularly informs tourismrelated enterprises about sustainability issues
and encourages and supports them in making
their operations more sustainable. The
destination promotes the adoption ofsustainability standards, promoting theapplication of GSTC-I Recognized standards
and GSTC-I Accredited certification schemes
for tourism enterprises, where available. The
destination publicizes a list of sustainability
certified enterprises.

a. Evidence of regular communication ofsustainability issues to tourism-related businesses(Media, meetings, direct contact etc.).
b. Sustainability support and advice to tourismrelated business – available and promoted.
c. Number and percentage of businesses certified
against tourism sustainability standards (andwhether GSTC recognised/accredited), withtargets for wider outreach.
d. Evidence of promotion of certification schemes.
e. List of tourism-related certified enterprises, kept
up to date.

A5 Resident engagement and feedback
The destination enables and promotes public
participation in sustainable destination
planning and management. Local
communities’ aspirations, concerns andsatisfaction with tourism sustainability anddestination management are regularly
monitored and publicly reported, and action istaken in response to them. The destination
has a system to enhance local understandingof sustainable tourism opportunities andchallenges and to build the capacity ofcommunities to respond.

a. Evidence of the promotion and facilitation of
public participation in destination
planning/management.
b. Information on the type and level of suchparticipation.
c. Surveys of residents and other systematic
feedback mechanisms, covering tourism issues.
d. Evidence of action taken in response to residents’
feedback.
e. Programme of information, education andtraining on tourism provided for residents.

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GSTC Destination Criteria v2.0

A6 Visitor engagement and feedback
The destination has a system to monitor andpublicly report visitor satisfaction with thequality and sustainability of the destination
experience and, if necessary, to take action in
response. Visitors are informed aboutsustainability issues in the destination and thepart that they can play in addressing them.

a. Visitor surveys (and other feedback mechanisms)– carried out and reported.
b. Surveys and feedback includes visitor reaction tosustainability issues.
c. Evidence of actions taken in response to visitor
survey/feedback findings.
d. Examples of visitor information that covers
sustainability issues and how to respond to them.

A7 Promotion and information
Promotion and visitor information material
about the destination is accurate with regard
to its products, services, and sustainability
claims. Marketing messages and othercommunications reflect the destination’svalues and approach to sustainability and treat
local communities and natural and cultural
assets with respect.

a. Current information and promotional material
with appropriate content.
b. A process exists for checking the accuracy andappropriateness of destination promotion andinformation.
c. Evidence of consultation with local communities
and environmental and cultural bodies oncommunications content and delivery.

A(c) Managing pressure and change
A8 Managing visitor volumes and activities
The destination has a system for visitor
management which is regularly reviewed.
a. The destination management strategy and action
Action is taken to monitor and manage theplan addresses seasonality and spread ofvolume and activities of visitors, and to reduce
visitation.
or increase them as necessary at certain times b. Variation in visitor volumes throughout the year isand in certain locations, working to balance themonitored, including in the most visited locations.
needs of the local economy, community,c. Impacts of visitor volumes and activities arecultural heritage and environment.
identified through observation and communityand stakeholder feedback.
d. Actions taken to manage visitor flows andimpacts.
e. Marketing strategy and selection of target
markets takes account of visit patterns, theimpact of activities and destination needs.

A9 Planning regulations and development
control
The destination has planning guidelines,
regulations and/or policies which control thelocation and nature of development, requirea. Specific policies/regulations/ guidelines which
control development – documented andidentified by title and date.

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environmental, economic, and socio-cultural
impact assessment and integrate sustainable
land use, design, construction, and demolition.
Regulations also apply to operations, including
property rental and concessions for tourism
purposes. The guidelines, regulations andpolicies were created with public participation
and are widely communicated and enforced.

b. Impact assessment requirements are set out,
covering environmental, economic, and sociocultural impacts, at sufficient scale to address longterm issues for the destination.
c. Specific regulations on property rental andoperation for tourism, with evidence of theirapplication and enforcement.
d. Evidence of public participation in thedevelopment of policies/regulations/guidelines.
e. Evidence of consultation with, and consent fromindigenous people or minority ethnic groups
when tourism development has been proposed or
has occurred in their territories.
f. Evidence of communication and enforcement of
the policies/regulations/guidance, at planning,development and implementation stages.

A10 Climate change adaptation
The destination identifies risks andopportunities associated with climate change.
Climate change adaptation strategies are
pursued for the siting, design, development
and management of tourism facilities.
Information on predicted climate change,
associated risks and future conditions isprovided for residents, businesses and visitors.

a. The destination management strategy and action
plan identifies and addresses climate issues.
b. Regulations, guidelines and zoning for tourism
development and activities accommodate theconsequences of climate change.
c. A climate risk assessment, covering current andfuture risks – undertaken and made publicly
available.
d. Evidence of consideration of impact on, andcontribution of, local ecosystems to climatechange adaptation.
e. Information on climate change that has been
made publicly available.

A11 Risk and crisis management
The destination has a risk reduction, crisis
management and emergency response planthat is appropriate to the destination. Keyelements are communicated to residents,
visitors, and enterprises. Procedures andresources are established for implementing theplan and it is regularly updated.

a. A documented risk reduction, crisis management
and emergency response plan for tourism in thedestination.
b. The plan recognises a wide range of risks,
including natural disasters, terrorism, health,resource depletion, and others appropriate to thelocation.
c. Communication procedures identified for use
during and after an emergency.
d. Programme for local delivery of information andtraining on risk and crisis management.

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SECTION B: Socio-economic sustainability
B(a) Delivering local economic benefits
B1 Measuring the economic contribution of
tourism
The direct and indirect economic contributionof tourism to the destination’s economy ismonitored and publicly reported. Appropriate
measures may include levels of visitor volume,
visitor expenditure, employment andinvestment and evidence on the distributionof economic benefits.

a. Programme of economic data gathering.
b. Annual reports on the direct and indirect
economic contribution of tourism in thedestination.
c. Data covering a range of measures of economic
impact (e.g. volume, expenditure, employment,
investment and spread of economic benefit in thedestination).

B2 Decent work and career opportunities
The destination encourages and supports
career opportunities and training in tourism.
The destination’s tourism enterprises commit
to providing equality of opportunity for local
employment, training and advancement, asafe and secure working environment, and aliving wage for all.

a. Provision of relevant skills training
programmes/courses, available locally.
b. Statements of commitment by tourism
enterprises to the provision of decent work/
career opportunities.
c. Training and employment opportunities promoted
to and taken up by local people, including women,
young people, minorities and people withdisabilities.
d. Channels for checking working conditions andreceiving/handling grievances (e.g. involvement oflabour unions).

B3 Supporting local entrepreneurs and fairtrade
The destination encourages the retention of
tourism spending in the local economy
through supporting local enterprises, supply
chains and sustainable investment. It
promotes the development and purchase of
local sustainable products based on fair tradeprinciples and that reflect the area’s naturea. Advice, finance or other support – available in thedestination for tourism-related SMEs.
b. Assistance with market access for local tourismrelated SMEs.
c. Action to encourage and assist local tourism
enterprises to purchase goods and services locally.

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and culture. These may include food andbeverages, crafts, performance arts,
agricultural products, etc.

d. Initiatives to help local farmers, artisans and foodproducers to engage in the tourism value chain.
e. Local produce and crafts identified, promoted andavailable for sale to visitors in the destination.

B(b) Social wellbeing and impacts
B4 Support for community
The destination has a system to enable andencourage enterprises, visitors, and the public
to contribute to community and sustainability
initiatives in a responsible manner.

a. Support for local community and sustainability
initiatives by local tourism enterprises is
encouraged and facilitated.
b. Schemes exist, and are promoted, for visitors to
support local community and sustainability
initiatives.
c. Volunteering and engagement with thecommunity does not involve intrusion or
exploitation.

B5 Preventing exploitation anddiscrimination
The destination upholds international
standards on human rights. It has laws,
practices and an established code of conduct
to prevent and report on human trafficking,modern slavery and commercial, sexual, or
any other form of exploitation, discriminationand harassment of or against anyone,
particularly children, adolescents, women,
LGBT and other minorities. The laws andestablished practices are publicly
communicated and enforced.

a. Reference (title, date) to specific laws that pertainin the destination regarding human rights,
exploitation, discrimination and harassment.
b. Evidence of communication and enforcement ofabove laws and related good practice (including totourism enterprises and visitors).
c. Risk and impact analysis regarding human rights,
including human trafficking, modern slavery andchild labour – conducted regularly.
d. Destination and key tourism players are
signatories to the Code of Conduct for theProtection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in
Travel and Tourism.

B6 Property and user rights
Laws and regulations regarding property
rights and acquisitions are documented andenforced. They comply with communal andindigenous rights, ensure public consultationand do not authorize resettlement without
free prior and informed consent and fair andjust compensation. Laws and regulations also
protect user and access rights to key
resources.

a. Reference (title, date) to specific laws that pertainin the destination regarding property rights andacquisitions and user and access rights toresources.
b. Reference in the above laws to communal andindigenous rights, public consultation andresettlement.
c. Evidence of enforcement of the above laws in thecontext of tourism development and activity.

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d. Evidence of community consultation, consent andcompensation.

B7 Safety and security
The destination has a system to monitor,
prevent, publicly report, and respond tocrime, safety, and health hazards that
addresses the needs of both visitors andresidents.

a. Security and health services are well establishedand active in the destination.
b. The needs of visitors are identified and addressedin the delivery of security and health services.
c. Tourism facilities are inspected for compliancewith safety and hygiene standards.

B8 Access for all
Where practical, sites, facilities and services,
including those of natural and cultural
importance, are accessible to all, including
persons with disabilities and others who havespecific access requirements or other special
needs. Where sites and facilities are notimmediately accessible, access is afforded
through the design and implementation ofsolutions that take into account both the
integrity of the site and such reasonableaccommodations for persons with accessrequirements as can be achieved. Information
is made available on the accessibility of sites,
facilities and services.

a. The existence of any regulations and standards
regarding the accessibility of visitor sites, facilities
and services.
b. Consistent application of accessibility standards inpublic facilities.
c. Data on the extent/proportion of visitor sites andfacilities that are accessible.
d. Evidence of programmes to improve access forpeople with a range of access needs.
e. Information on accessibility included incommunications about the destination as a whole.
f. Details of accessibility included in visitor
information about key sites.

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SECTION C: Cultural sustainability
C(a) Protecting cultural heritage
C1 Protection of cultural assets
The destination has a policy and system toevaluate, rehabilitate, and conserve cultural
assets, including built heritage and culturallandscapes.

a. Lists of cultural assets, including evaluation andindication of vulnerability.
b. Programme of rehabilitation and conservation ofassets.
c. Mechanisms for using income from tourism tosupport conservation of cultural assets.

C2 Cultural artefacts
The destination has laws governing the propersale, trade, display, or gifting of historical andarchaeological artefacts. The laws are
enforced and publicly communicated,
including to tourism enterprises and visitors.

a. Reference to relevant laws relating to historicalartefacts pertaining in the destination (title, date).
b. Evidence of communication of relevant laws totourism enterprises and visitors.
c. Evidence of enforcement of relevant laws.

C3 Intangible heritage
The destination supports the celebration andprotection of intangible cultural heritage,
including local traditions, arts, music,
language, gastronomy and other aspects oflocal identity and distinctiveness. The
presentation, replication and interpretation ofliving culture and traditions is sensitive andrespectful, seeks to involve and benefit local
communities, and provides visitors with anauthentic and genuine experience.

a. Identification and listing of intangible cultural
heritage.
b. Examples of celebration and visitor experiences ofintangible cultural heritage (events, distinctive
products etc.).
c. Evidence of involvement of local and indigenous
communities in developing and delivering visitor
experiences based on intangible cultural heritage.
d. Feedback from visitors and local communities ondelivery of intangible heritage experiences.

C4 Traditional access
The destination monitors, protects, and whennecessary rehabilitates or restores local
community access to natural and culturalsites.

a. Monitoring of accessibility to natural and culturalsites for the local community.
b. Evidence of engagement with the local community
regarding traditional access.
c. Specific action to protect and/or rehabilitate local
community access.

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C5 Intellectual property
The destination has a system to contribute to
the protection and preservation of intellectual
property rights of communities andindividuals.

a. Reference to laws on intellectual property
pertaining in the destination (title, date).
b. Communication of intellectual property rights totourism stakeholders.
c. Evidence that intellectual property rights areprotected in the development of culturalexperiences for visitors.

C(b) Visiting cultural sites
C6 Visitor management at cultural sites
The destination has a system for the
management of visitors within and aroundcultural sites, which takes account of theircharacteristics, capacity and sensitivity andseeks to optimize visitor flow and minimize
adverse impacts. Guidelines for visitor
behaviour at sensitive sites and cultural
events are made available to visitors, tour
operators and guides before and at the timeof the visit.

a. Monitoring of visitor flows and impact on culturalsites, with results shared across the destination.
b. Evidence of action to manage tourism-related
impacts in or around cultural sites.
c. Existence and distribution of published guidelines
on visitor behaviour at sensitive sites and cultural
events and periodic monitoring of compliance.
d. A code of practice for tour operators and tour
guides and/or other engagement with them on
visitor management at cultural sites.
e. Provision of training for guides.

C7 Site interpretation
Accurate interpretative material is provided
which informs visitors of the significance ofthe cultural and natural aspects of the sites
they visit. The information is culturally
appropriate, developed with host community
collaboration, and clearly communicated inlanguages pertinent to visitors and residents.

a. Provision of informative interpretative material onsite and in formats that are accessible pre-arrival.
b. Evidence that interpretative material has been
well researched and is accurate.
c. Interpretation material that identifies thesignificance and sensitivity/fragility of sites.
d. Evidence of host community collaboration in
preparation of relevant interpretative material.
e. Interpretative material available in relevant
languages.

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SECTION D: Environmental sustainability
D(a) Conservation of natural heritage
D1 Protection of sensitive environments
The destination has a system to monitor,
measure and respond to the impacts of
tourism on the natural environment, conserve
ecosystems, habitats and species, and preventthe introduction and spread of invasive
species.

a. List of natural heritage sites and assets, indicating
type, conservation status and vulnerability.
b. Programmes to conserve biodiversity and natural
heritage.
c. Programmes to eradicate and control invasive
species.
d. Action to identify, monitor and mitigate tourism
impacts on biodiversity and natural heritage.
e. Mechanisms for using income from tourism tosupport conservation of natural assets.
f. Communications with visitors and enterprises on
reducing spread of alien species.

D2 Visitor management at natural sites
The destination has a system for the
management of visitors within and aroundnatural sites, which takes account of theircharacteristics, capacity and sensitivity andseeks to optimize visitor flow and minimize
adverse impacts. Guidelines for visitor
behaviour at sensitive sites are made available
to visitors, tour operators and guides before
and at the time of the visit.

a. Monitoring of visitor flows and impact on naturalsites, with results shared across the destination.
b. Evidence of action to manage and mitigate
tourism-related impacts in or around natural sites.
c. Existence and distribution of published guidelines
on visitor behaviour at sensitive sites, and periodic
monitoring of compliance.
d. A code of practice for tour operators and tour
guides and/or other engagement with them on
visitor management at natural sites.
e. Cooperation with local conservation bodies to
identify environmental risks associated with
tourism and measures to reduce them.
f. Provision of training for guides.

D3 Wildlife interaction
The destination has a system to ensurecompliance with local, national, andinternational laws and standards for wildlife
interactions. Interactions with free roaming
wildlife, taking into account cumulative
impacts, are non-invasive and responsibly
managed to avoid adverse impacts on thea. Reference (title, date) to international, national
and local laws that apply in the destination
regarding interaction with wildlife.
b. Endorsement of international standards forwildlife viewing for both marine and terrestrial
species.

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animals concerned and on the viability andbehaviour of populations in the wild.

c. Distribution of a code of practice for wildlife
interaction, including viewing, which reflectsinternational standards.
d. System for checking compliance with regulations,and code of practice amongst tourism operations.
e. Actions to monitor wildlife wellbeing andminimize disturbance, in locations whereinteractions occur.
f. Provision of information to visitors on harmful
wildlife interaction, such as touching and feeding.

D4 Species exploitation and animal welfare
The destination has a system to ensurecompliance with local, national, andinternational laws and standards that seek toensure animal welfare and conservation of
species (animals, plants and all livingorganisms). This includes the harvesting or
capture, trade, display, and sale of wildlife
species and their products. No species of wild
animal is acquired, bred or held captive,
except by authorized and suitably equipped
persons and for properly regulated activities.
Housing, care and handling of all wild anddomestic animals meets the highest standardsof animal welfare.

a. Reference (title, date) to specific international,
national and local laws, standards and guidelinesthat apply in the destination regarding animal
welfare and conservation of species.
b. Notification of laws, standards and guidelines totourism enterprises and guides.
c. A system for inspection of the conditions of
captive wildlife and domestic animals, including
their housing and handling.
d. Licensing and checking of qualifications of
personnel responsible for captive wildlife.
e. Action to promote the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)in the tourism sector and to ensure compliancewith it.
f. Provision of information to visitors on avoiding
trade in endangered species, e.g. in purchase ofsouvenirs derived from threatened species ofwildlife notified by IUCN or CITES.
g. Enforcement of legislation to ensure that any
hunting activity is part of a scientifically based,
properly managed and strictly enforced approachto conservation.

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D(b) Resource management
D5 Energy conservation
The destination has targets to reduce energy
consumption, improve efficiency in its use, as
well as increase the use of renewable energy.
The destination has a system to encourage
enterprises to measure, monitor, reduce, andpublicly report their contribution to thesetargets.

a. Energy consumption targets are publicised andpromoted.
b. Programme to increase energy efficiency – e.g.
promoting and supporting insulation.
c. Investment in renewable energy and percent of
total provision/consumption.
d. Support and incentives for energy monitoring andreduction by enterprises.

D6 Water stewardship
The destination encourages enterprises toa. Provision of guidance and support for monitoringmeasure, monitor, publicly report and manage
and reduction of water usage by enterprises.
water usage. Water risk in the destination isb. Program to regularly assess water risk.
assessed and documented. In cases of highc. Setting, publication and enforcement of water
water risk, water stewardship goals are
stewardship goals, where water risk has been
identified and actively pursued withassessed as high.
enterprises, to ensure that tourism use does
d. Monitoring and control of sources and volume of
not conflict with the needs of local
water used for tourism purposes and its effect oncommunities and ecosystems.
local communities and ecosystems. Promotion
and checking of adherence to goals by tourism
enterprises.
e. Visitor information on water risk and minimisingwater use.
D7 Water quality
The destination monitors water quality for
drinking, recreational and ecological purposes
using quality standards. The monitoring
results are publicly available, and thedestination has a system to respond in atimely manner to water quality issues.

a. Programme of water quality monitoring.
b. Existence of data and reports on water quality.
c. Monitoring bathing water, with certification andidentification of sites reaching set standards.
d. Evidence of actions to improve water quality.
e. Information for visitors on quality of local drinking
water, to encourage use as alternative to bottled
water.

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D(c) Management of waste and emissions
D8 Wastewater
The destination has clear and enforced
guidelines in place for the siting, maintenanceand testing of discharge from septic tanks andwastewater treatment systems. The
destination ensures that wastes are properly
treated and reused or released safely without
adverse impacts on the local population andthe environment.

a. Written guidelines and regulations on wastewater
treatment.
b. System of enforcing guidelines amongst
enterprises.
c. Monitoring/testing of released wastewater.
d. Provisional of sustainable municipal water
treatment systems, for use by the tourism sector,
where practical and appropriate.

D9 Solid waste
The destination measures and reports on its
generation of waste and sets targets for its
reduction. It ensures solid waste is properly
treated and diverted from landfill, with
provision of a multiple-stream collection andrecycling system which effectively separates
waste by type. The destination encourages
enterprises to avoid, reduce, reuse, andrecycle solid waste, including food waste.
Action is taken to eliminate or reduce singleuse items, especially plastics. Any residual
solid waste that is not reused or recycled isdisposed of safely and sustainably.

a. Waste monitoring programme, with results andtargets published.
b. Coordinated campaign/advice/support with
tourism enterprises on waste management,
including food waste.
c. Campaign to reduce/eliminate single use items,
especially plastics.
d. Waste management programme for public offices
and facilities.
e. Provision of a collection and recycling system,with at least four streams (i.e. organic, paper,
metal, glass and plastic).
f. Provision of sustainable system for disposal ofresidual waste.
g. Campaign to eliminate dropping of litter, including
by visitors, and to keep public spaces clean.
h. Adequate bins for separated waste disposal.

D10 GHG emissions and climate change
mitigation
The destination has targets to reducegreenhouse gas emissions, and implements
and reports on mitigation policies and actions.
Enterprises are encouraged to measure,monitor, reduce or minimise, publicly reportand mitigate greenhouse gas emissions fromall aspects of their operation (including fromsuppliers and service providers). Offsetting of
any remaining emissions is encouraged.

a. Published target for percentage of emissions
reduction by specified date.
b. Annual climate report, including monitoring andmitigation actions.
c. Supported campaign or other engagement with
tourism enterprises on reduction and mitigationof emissions.
d. Action to reduce emissions from public sector
operations.
e. Information for enterprises and visitors on
offsetting schemes that meet recognised
standards.

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GSTC Destination Criteria v2.0

D11 Low-impact transportation
The destination has targets to reducetransport emissions from travel to and within
the destination. An increase in the use ofsustainable, low-emissions vehicles and public
transport and active travel (e.g., walking andcycling) is sought in order to reduce thecontribution of tourism to air pollution,congestion and climate change.

a. Investment in more sustainable transport
infrastructure, including public transport and low
emissions vehicles.
b. Information promoted to visitors on alternativetransport options to and within the destinationc. Data on visitor use of alternative transport modes.
d. Improvement and promotion of cycling andwalking opportunities.
e. Prioritization of visitor markets accessible by shortand more sustainable transport options.
f. Public sector and tourism enterprises prioritise
low-impact transportation in their own
operations.

D12 Light and noise pollution
The destination has guidelines and regulations
to minimize light and noise pollution. The
destination encourages enterprises to follow
these guidelines and regulations.

a. Guidelines on light and noise pollution – produced
and promoted to tourism enterprises.
b. Identification and monitoring of potential sourcesof noise and light pollution related to tourism.
c. Mechanisms to enable residents to report noiseand light pollution, with follow-up action.

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