Using
The
GSTC Criteria &
The Self-Assessment
Tool
GSTC Annual Membership Meeting
Barcelona, Spain | 30 June 2011
GSTC Criteria: Global input.
Global standard.
Establishment of GSTC Criteria:
•
Outreach to 80,000 constituencies
•
2,000 experts
•
18-month process
•
5 rounds
•
4,500 existing criteria analyzed
•
91% approval for any criterion
•
ISEAL compliant
37 criteria, 4 pillars.
Sustainability
Management
Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org
Social &
Economic
Cultural
Environmental
Bruno Maia/Naturezafotos.org
Levels of Implementation
Destination
Association/
NGO
Business
Destination Implementation
• Adopt GSTC Criteria as framework
for tourism development
• Provide incentives for sustainable
tourism compliance
– Taxes, awards, add’l external
marketing, internal promotion &
regulations
• Develop or endorse GSTCcompliant certification programs
• Offer training & education
programming along GSTC criteria
themes
• Include GSTC language in
marketing materials
Association/NGO
Implementation
• Form sustainable tourism working groups or
councils
• Issue a commitment to the GSTC Criteria
• Offer or create training programs for members
• Communicate using established outlets
– Newsletters, Social Media, Events, Collateral
• Sponsor certification for members or partners
Business Implementation
• Familiarize yourself with the Criteria and the
indicators
• Train staff on sustainability issues using the Criteria
• Inform clientele about the role of the Criteria at
your business
• Get certified by a GSTC Criteria-compliant
program
• USE THE SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL!!
Self-Assessment Tool
• Developed in collaboration with USAID in 2010 for
members
• Based on the World Heritage Alliance selfassessment tool
• Reviews all GSTC Criteria in detail
• Uses a suite of GSTC Criteria indicators and
benchmarks
Self-Assessment Tool
Monitoring
Education
Measure current status
Lists Suggested Indicators
Track progress
Links to Resource Library
Create targets
Identifies Gaps
Develop personal
benchmarks
Self- Assessment Tool
Cumulative Monitoring
Identify proactive businesses
Identify cumulative successes
Identify cumulative challenges
Uncover trends
Targeted Response
Reward participatory businesses
Market advantages
Provide support for weak areas
Stay ahead of the curve
Next Steps
• Beta testing with current members
• Inclusion of additional resources
• Additional features added where
necessary and possible
• Release to public
– TBD: in part or whole
GO!
USE!
ASSESS!
Questions, Comments, Suggestions:
d.brown@solimarinternational.com