gstc module 1

04/10/23 SPRE 2005 NK Bricker

Understanding the Global Understanding the Global Sustainable Tourism CriteriaSustainable Tourism Criteria

(GSTC)(GSTC)

Module 1Module 1

Learning Objectives

To provide a brief introduction to sustainable tourism

To understand the origin of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria

To understand the intent of the criteria

To understand the content of the criteria

To demonstrate proficiency in use of the criteria for business and/or scholarly applications

To achieve these objectives, this module will:

• Briefly describe the concepts behind sustainable tourism

• Identify the purpose and need for a common set of standards that drive the sustainability efforts, claims, and offerings of the tourism industry

• Identify the Stakeholders involved• List and discuss the criteria

themselves• Present exercises for familiarization

with the criteria

Learning Tasks

• At intervals throughout this module, there will be exercises to assist you in fully engaging in the material and accomplishing the learning objectives.

• When you have completed this module, please save it under your last name followed by an underscore, then followed by the date of completion.

• Example: Bricker_02-11-2010

Where did Sustainable Tourism concepts Where did Sustainable Tourism concepts originate?originate?

The changing views of nature and man’s The changing views of nature and man’s relationship with the environment. relationship with the environment.

Tourism gave value to lands that were Tourism gave value to lands that were otherwise useless in terms of other forms of otherwise useless in terms of other forms of economic development…economic development…

National Parks were seen as an attraction, a National Parks were seen as an attraction, a way to bring economic valueway to bring economic value

Sustainable Tourism EventsSustainable Tourism Events

Sustainable Tourism EventsSustainable Tourism Events

The 1987 World Commission on the EnvironmentThe 1987 World Commission on the Environment

For a summary of this meeting and outcomes, go to:For a summary of this meeting and outcomes, go to:http://www.wsu.edu/~susdev/WCED87.htmlhttp://www.wsu.edu/~susdev/WCED87.html

Sustainable Tourism EventsSustainable Tourism Events

Link to Agenda 21 Document

So in summary…So in summary…

Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future. It is envisioned leading to opportunity for the future. It is envisioned leading to management of all resources in such a way that management of all resources in such a way that economic, economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled, while maintaining social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled, while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems.diversity and life support systems. Sustainable tourism Sustainable tourism products are products which are operated in harmony with the products are products which are operated in harmony with the local environment, community, and cultures, so that these local environment, community, and cultures, so that these become permanent beneficiaries, not the victims of tourism become permanent beneficiaries, not the victims of tourism development…” (WTTC, WTO, Earth Council )development…” (WTTC, WTO, Earth Council )

Sustainable Tourism…Sustainable Tourism…

Sustainable TourismSustainable Tourism

What is What is GSTC?GSTC?

Global Sustainable Tourism CriteriaGlobal Sustainable Tourism Criteria

Global…International in scopeGlobal…International in scope

Sustainable…renewable into perpetuity Sustainable…renewable into perpetuity

Tourism…the temporary movement of people to a Tourism…the temporary movement of people to a destination for the purpose of leisure for greater destination for the purpose of leisure for greater than 24 hours and less than one yearthan 24 hours and less than one year

Criteria…A standard upon which a Criteria…A standard upon which a judgment can be based judgment can be based (this is the (this is the heart of this training moduleheart of this training module))

How did the criteria come How did the criteria come about?about?

In 2007, a coalition of 27 In 2007, a coalition of 27 organizations (the GSTC organizations (the GSTC Partnership) came together to Partnership) came together to develop the criteria. develop the criteria.

Since then the Partnership has… Since then the Partnership has…

analyzed more than 4,500 analyzed more than 4,500 criteria from more than 60 criteria from more than 60 existing certification criteria existing certification criteria banks, andbanks, and

received comments from over received comments from over 2000 stakeholders 2000 stakeholders

Pre-existing GuidancePre-existing Guidance The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria

have been developed in accordance with have been developed in accordance with The International Social and Environmental The International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labeling (ISEAL) AllianceAccreditation and Labeling (ISEAL) Alliance Code of Good Practice.Code of Good Practice.

The Code requires the GSTC to receive The Code requires the GSTC to receive input every two years until feedback is no input every two years until feedback is no longer provided or longer unique.longer provided or longer unique.

Time to ThinkTime to ThinkExercise 1Exercise 1

Go the ISEAL link below and find the statement Go the ISEAL link below and find the statement that lets you complete this sentence:that lets you complete this sentence:

“In order to be credible, criteria have been included that help to ensure that a standard reflects…”

ISEAL Code of Good PracticeISEAL Code of Good Practice

Then write a short paragraph (mini-essay) about Then write a short paragraph (mini-essay) about what this might mean for your business or what this might mean for your business or organization. To do this, advance to the next organization. To do this, advance to the next slide.slide.

AnswerAnswer

Click on the link below and enter Click on the link below and enter your answer in the response your answer in the response form. Click on the X at the top form. Click on the X at the top right-hand side of the response right-hand side of the response form when you are done. This form when you are done. This will return you to the module.will return you to the module.

Exercise 1 Response FormExercise 1 Response Form

Why are the GSTC Why are the GSTC necessarynecessary??

Simply put, to avoid ‘greenwashing’, a marketing Simply put, to avoid ‘greenwashing’, a marketing ploy in which businesses attempt to capitalize on ploy in which businesses attempt to capitalize on rising consumer demand for sustainable and rising consumer demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly goods and services.environmentally friendly goods and services.

Jeff Glueck, chief marketing officer of Jeff Glueck, chief marketing officer of Travelocity/Sabre, and a member of the Travelocity/Sabre, and a member of the GSTC Partnership states… GSTC Partnership states…

“ “Consumers deserve widely accepted standards Consumers deserve widely accepted standards to distinguish green from greenwashed. to distinguish green from greenwashed.

These criteria will allow true certification of These criteria will allow true certification of sustainable practices in hotels and resorts as well sustainable practices in hotels and resorts as well as other travel suppliers. as other travel suppliers.

They will give travelers confidence that they They will give travelers confidence that they can make choices to help the sustainability can make choices to help the sustainability cause.”cause.”

Who Needs Them?Who Needs Them?

The potential Stakeholders areThe potential Stakeholders are…… Hospitality industry professionalsHospitality industry professionals Tour operatorsTour operators Consumers/TravelersConsumers/Travelers GovernmentsGovernments SchoolsSchools Travel AgentsTravel Agents Non-Governmental Organizations Non-Governmental Organizations

(Non-profits)(Non-profits)

How are they to be used?How are they to be used? Tourism providers and/or managers Tourism providers and/or managers

can use the GSTC as part of their can use the GSTC as part of their process of identifying and assessing process of identifying and assessing sustainability performance, both sustainability performance, both internally and externally.internally and externally.

Also, the GSTC Partnership is Also, the GSTC Partnership is developing an accreditation program developing an accreditation program that will work with existing that will work with existing certification programs to align certification programs to align themselves with the GSTC and will themselves with the GSTC and will accredit those that meet or exceed accredit those that meet or exceed the GSTC and other procedural the GSTC and other procedural criteria. criteria.

And…And… Through the input of the Through the input of the

Scoring System Scoring System Development Working Development Working GroupGroup, the Partnership , the Partnership is also working to is also working to develop market access develop market access solutions to get solutions to get sustainable products sustainable products and services that are and services that are aligned with the GSTC to aligned with the GSTC to new markets.new markets.

Competition with existing Competition with existing Certification Programs?Certification Programs?

The GSTC Partnership is a The GSTC Partnership is a voluntary initiative and the voluntary initiative and the criteria were designed as criteria were designed as a way to harmonize and a way to harmonize and build credibility for build credibility for existing certification and existing certification and other programsother programs..

And…And…

The GSTC use common issues and The GSTC use common issues and themes that are globally relevant, themes that are globally relevant, measurable, and applicable to measurable, and applicable to allall sizes of sizes of accommodation providers and accommodation providers and tour operators.tour operators.

… …They are designed as an They are designed as an input for certification and input for certification and other programs to other programs to demonstrate credibility by demonstrate credibility by aligning with a globally aligning with a globally accepted and endorsed accepted and endorsed baseline standard.baseline standard.

In fact…In fact…

The GSTC will help organizations The GSTC will help organizations and businesses to:and businesses to:

Achieve credibility and legitimacy Achieve credibility and legitimacy through increased transparency of through increased transparency of their certification procedures, their certification procedures,

Achieve beneficial cooperative links Achieve beneficial cooperative links with international tourism with international tourism distribution channels, and distribution channels, and

Align their internal standards with Align their internal standards with those of other businesses and those of other businesses and organizations in ways that lead to organizations in ways that lead to partnerships between certification partnerships between certification programs. programs.

Time to Think!Time to Think!Exercise 2Exercise 2

The criteria are organized around 4 central The criteria are organized around 4 central themes. Click on the link below and themes. Click on the link below and search the web page for these 4 themes. search the web page for these 4 themes. When finished with the information on the When finished with the information on the link, minimize the screen. You will need it link, minimize the screen. You will need it again later.again later.

GSTC ThemesGSTC Themes

AnswerAnswer Click on the link below to go back to Click on the link below to go back to

the answer sheet. Record your the answer sheet. Record your response to Exercise 2 under the response to Exercise 2 under the space designated.space designated.

Exercise 2 Response FormExercise 2 Response Form

And Now For The Main Event!And Now For The Main Event!

For the full criteria, click on the link below. For the full criteria, click on the link below. Browse the themes point by point. Then Browse the themes point by point. Then return to the module. The following portion return to the module. The following portion of the module will summarize the intent of of the module will summarize the intent of each of the four themes of the GSTC.each of the four themes of the GSTC.

Global Sustainable Tourism CriteriaGlobal Sustainable Tourism Criteria

Sustainable Management Sustainable Management PracticesPractices

Compliance with local, state or provincial, and Compliance with local, state or provincial, and national laws and regulations that govern national laws and regulations that govern tourism offerings is essential.tourism offerings is essential.

Appropriate training, communication, wages, Appropriate training, communication, wages, and safety measures are in place and and safety measures are in place and periodically reviewed and revised as needed.periodically reviewed and revised as needed.

Construction of Construction of facilities is conducted facilities is conducted in a sensitive manner, in a sensitive manner, with placement of with placement of buildings that buildings that harmonize with the harmonize with the surroundings and use surroundings and use of local materials of local materials emphasized.emphasized.

Information and Information and interpretation of local interpretation of local natural and cultural natural and cultural resources that help resources that help guide visitor behaviors guide visitor behaviors are offered.are offered.

Socio-EconomicsSocio-Economics Local and indigenous Local and indigenous

peoples are employed, peoples are employed, consulted with, and consulted with, and considered stakeholders.considered stakeholders.

Local goods, services and Local goods, services and expertise and used expertise and used whenever possible.whenever possible.

Socially responsible Socially responsible purchasing of fair trade purchasing of fair trade and similar programs and similar programs

that keep revenue in the that keep revenue in the community are used.community are used.

Wages are fair, and Wages are fair, and women are employed and women are employed and consulted for all levels of consulted for all levels of involvement.involvement.

Child labor is restrained. The dignity and Child labor is restrained. The dignity and safety of a community’s children is safety of a community’s children is respected and protected.respected and protected.

The activities of the tourism facility or The activities of the tourism facility or offering does not jeopardize the integrity offering does not jeopardize the integrity of the communities resources such as air, of the communities resources such as air, water, soil and energy.water, soil and energy.

Cultural HeritageCultural Heritage The tourism The tourism

enterprise has enterprise has measures in place to measures in place to protect and interpret protect and interpret the value of local the value of local archeological and archeological and cultural resources. cultural resources.

Efforts are made to Efforts are made to embrace the embrace the uniqueness of these uniqueness of these resources while still resources while still safeguarding their safeguarding their integrity.integrity.

And…And… Information is made available to visitors and Information is made available to visitors and

clients about the history, meaning, and clients about the history, meaning, and fragility of the resource.fragility of the resource.

The enterprise fosters an appreciation of the The enterprise fosters an appreciation of the resource through theming, but never to the resource through theming, but never to the extent of compromising local values, customs, extent of compromising local values, customs, and traditions.and traditions.

EnvironmentEnvironment

The viability and The viability and diversity of the diversity of the biosphere is respected biosphere is respected and supported.and supported.

Whenever possible, Whenever possible, measures are taken to measures are taken to enhance the survival enhance the survival and flourishing of and flourishing of indigenous species.indigenous species.

Measures are taken to recognize, Measures are taken to recognize, analyze, and then mitigate, manage, analyze, and then mitigate, manage, or eliminate all forms of pollutants.or eliminate all forms of pollutants.

Efforts are made to reuse, recycle, Efforts are made to reuse, recycle, and reduce consumption of and reduce consumption of renewable and non-renewable renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are resources. Renewable resources are substituted whenever possible. substituted whenever possible. Green technologies are employed Green technologies are employed whenever possible.whenever possible.

Exercise 3Exercise 3

Go back to the GSTC. Use the link at the bottom of the Go back to the GSTC. Use the link at the bottom of the page. page.

Find one criteria out of each of the four themes that you Find one criteria out of each of the four themes that you feel that your organization or business does particularly feel that your organization or business does particularly well (or one of the examples your instructor has provided).well (or one of the examples your instructor has provided).

Then find one criteria out of each of the four subgroups that Then find one criteria out of each of the four subgroups that you feel needs development by your organization or you feel needs development by your organization or business.business.

Go to the next slide to record your answers. Minimize the Go to the next slide to record your answers. Minimize the link when done.link when done.

Global Sustainable Tourism CriteriaGlobal Sustainable Tourism Criteria

AnswerAnswer Click on the link below to go back to Click on the link below to go back to

the answer sheet. Record your the answer sheet. Record your response to Exercise 3 under the response to Exercise 3 under the space designated.space designated.

Exercise 3 Response FormExercise 3 Response Form

Some final thoughtsSome final thoughts

You can see that the criteria are organized You can see that the criteria are organized not just around themes, but also about not just around themes, but also about actions.actions.

Action 1 – IdentifyAction 1 – Identify Action 2 – MeasureAction 2 – Measure Action 3 – AnalyzeAction 3 – Analyze Action 4 – ActualizeAction 4 – Actualize Action 5 – EducateAction 5 – Educate Action 6 - EvaluateAction 6 - Evaluate Action 7 – Repeat!Action 7 – Repeat!

Tourism enterprises that wish to adopt the Tourism enterprises that wish to adopt the standards set forth in the criteria will need standards set forth in the criteria will need to embrace a self-assessment strategy to embrace a self-assessment strategy that follows the actions listed previously. that follows the actions listed previously.

Any business enterprise is a dynamic Any business enterprise is a dynamic

entity that grows or dies with changing entity that grows or dies with changing times. Tourism is no different. New times. Tourism is no different. New information, research, products, information, research, products, technologies, and world events will always technologies, and world events will always ensure that a sustainable tourism entity ensure that a sustainable tourism entity needs to remain alert and nimble in the needs to remain alert and nimble in the face of opportunities and constraints. The face of opportunities and constraints. The GSTC will help them to do just that.GSTC will help them to do just that.

Last time to ThinkLast time to ThinkExercise 4Exercise 4

On the next slide you will find 2 links to On the next slide you will find 2 links to web-pages that advertise a ‘green’ web-pages that advertise a ‘green’ tourism offering. On a scale of one to five tourism offering. On a scale of one to five (one being low, five being high) rate both (one being low, five being high) rate both of these offerings in terms of what you of these offerings in terms of what you understand about sustainability as understand about sustainability as measured by the intent and the content of measured by the intent and the content of the GSTC.the GSTC.

Three Camel LodgeThree Camel Lodge

ItamambucaItamambuca

After going to each link, evaluate each After going to each link, evaluate each offering and then give a short (two to offering and then give a short (two to three sentence) explanation as to why you three sentence) explanation as to why you assigned the grade you did. Do this for assigned the grade you did. Do this for each of the 4 ‘themes’ of the GSTC.each of the 4 ‘themes’ of the GSTC.

Complete this exercise with a considered Complete this exercise with a considered comparison (three paragraphs) of these comparison (three paragraphs) of these offerings in light of the intent and content offerings in light of the intent and content of the criteria. of the criteria.

Exercise 4 Response Exercise 4 Response

Congratulations!You just completed Module One