What is Sustainable Tourism?
Sustainable tourism refers to “tourism that fully accounts of current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities” (World Tourism Organization, UNWTO). With the shifting landscape of climate, lifestyle and economy, travellers are increasingly looking for sustainable accommodation, lowering their carbon footprint and adopting eco-friendly practices.
Sustainable Tourism in Singapore
Singapore as one of Asia’s top holiday destinations is pushing the frontiers to transform the industry to be more sustainable. In Mar 2022, the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) launch the Singapore Hotel Sustainability Roadmap, which set out clear targets and strategies for hotels to adopt in their sustainability journey. In line with the roadmap, STB and SHB have set out the following two targets for the industry:
60% of hotel room stock in Singapore to attain internationally-recognised hotel sustainability certification by 2025.
For hotels to commence tracking emissions by 2023, reduce emissions by 2030, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Certification
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is an international non-governmental organisation that establishes and manages the global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, known as the GSTC Criteria. Currently, there are two different types of certification:
– GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D)
– GSTC Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators (GSTC-I)
As part of the Singapore Hotel Sustainability Roadmap, Singapore is encouraging hotels to align their operations to international sustainability standards (e.g. GSTC). Under the GSTC Industry Criteria for hotels, there are four main categories:
– Sustainability Management – e.g. Staff Engagement, Green Policy
– Social & Economic Benefits – e.g. Local procurement, Local employment
– Cultural Heritage – e.g. Cultural Preservation
– Environment: pollution, landscape, biodiversity – e.g. Tracking of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Solid Waste
Get Started with GSTC with our Consultancy Services
GreenA Consultants has vast experience working with the hotel industry. If your business is embarking on the sustainability journey, we provide consultancy services to help hotels in their journey towards achieving both the GSTC-recognised and GSTC-certified standards.
We assist in carrying out a preliminary gap analysis of the existing sustainability initiatives and practices, pointing out areas which are any compliance/non-compliance with the GSTC standards. Subsequently, we will develop an action plan to track and collate relevant documentation to submit to the auditors for verification. We will provide advisory support and liaise with the certification body, until the letter of award.
