The GSTC2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference, held from November 13 to November 16, 2024, brought together 500 delegates from 55 countries in Sentosa, Singapore. The event also reached a broader audience through live broadcasts, inspiring participants worldwide with its focus on sustainable tourism practices.
Themes Driving Sustainability
The conference centered on four core themes:
- Driving Sustainable Urban Tourism
- Sustainable Hospitality
- Integrating Sustainability Across the Value Chain
- Preserving Culture, Heritage, and Communities
Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth opened the conference and announced the new GSTC Attraction Criteria. Alongside Mr. Luigi Cabrini, Chair of the GSTC, they delivered the opening speeches that set the tone for the event; highlighting the importance of sustainable tourism and the shared vision of fostering resilient and responsible travel practices. “The introduction of the GSTC Criteria aims to develop a common language for sustainable tourism and align that understanding globally, serving as one of the most widely accepted international standards for sustainability in travel and tourism,” said Mr. Tan.
“Time has shown that GSTC filled a gap by making available a system that can serve both the private and the public sector to achieve higher levels of sustainability. Our role in establishing and managing global standards is now widely recognized,” said Mr. Cabrini.
Caesar Indra, President of Traveloka and GSTC’s Platinum Sponsor, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the need for collective action in sustainable tourism. “Building a sustainable tourism movement requires commitment from all of us, from governments setting the standards to businesses that innovate and lead,” said Indra. “Today, we see travellers actively choose companies that prioritize community and environment, and our industry must rise to meet this demand. Through collaborations with partners like GSTC, we’ve been working to make thoughtful travel choices more accessible, protecting the destinations we all cherish.”
These themes provided participants with valuable insights, practical tools, and inspirational case studies to accelerate their sustainability initiatives. Esteemed speakers from the tourism sector shared expertise, fostering collaboration and innovation to address environmental and social challenges.
Diverse Participation and Venue Highlights
The conference attracted a wide range of participants, including representatives from public and private sectors, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, academia, and consultants. The event was hosted at the Equarius Hotel, part of Resorts World Sentosa, a destination recognized globally for its certifications under the GSTC Destination and Industry Criteria for Hotels. Sentosa and Singapore further elevated the event’s reputation with their status as certified sustainable destinations.
Interactive Agenda and Specialized Trainings
The conference agenda featured pre-conference training, interactive panels, workshops, networking sessions, and guided tours. Key training programs included:
- Sustainable Tourism Course: Focused on GSTC Criteria for sustainability in travel.
- Accessible and Inclusive Travel Course: Highlighted best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
- Auditor Training: Covered audit processes and key issues related to GSTC Industry Criteria.
A total of 80 industry professionals participated in these sessions, which addressed current challenges and opportunities in the tourism industry.
Ms Lee Shi Ruh, President, Resorts World Sentosa, said: “We are extremely honored to host and welcome some 500 delegates to the inaugural GSTC Conference in Singapore at Equarius Hotel, one of our certified hotels at Resorts World Sentosa. This conference allows us to lead sustainability conversations on a global platform with some of the most influential industry leaders in sustainability, to show that sustainable tourism and responsible growth in the hospitality sector can take place in tandem.”
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability remained a central theme throughout the conference. Innovative practices aimed at minimizing the event’s environmental footprint included:
- Reducing Paper and Plastic: Recyclable materials were used for badges, and single-use plastics were eliminated.
- Recycling and Upcycling Programs: Collaborations with local enterprises ensured creative reuse of materials.
- Digitalization: Registration and signage were fully digitized to reduce reliance on physical materials.
- Eco-Friendly Backdrops: Durable, recyclable materials replaced traditional setups.
Carbon emissions from the event and attendees’ travel were offset by Green Evolution, with additional incentives offered by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to promote responsible tourism.
Workshops and Consultations
The conference featured specialized workshops, including the GSTC Industry Criteria Consultation and the GSTC F&B Criteria Consultation, enabling stakeholders to refine sustainability standards in their respective domains.
Partnerships and Acknowledgments
The success of GSTC2024 was made possible by collaborative efforts with partners, including:
- Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
- Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC)
- Resorts World Sentosa (RWS)
- Village Hotel Sentosa
- Unearth Productions (UP)
Exhibitors like Greenview, Traveloka, Tourism Fiji, and Signify contributed to the vibrant showcase of sustainable solutions. Media partners such as DestinAsia and Asia Sustainable Travel (AST) amplified the conference’s impact.
Special thanks to sponsors, including Traveloka, Booking.com, and Klook, as well as GSTC’s Gold Sponsors Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, Tourism Fiji, and Visit Sweden. Their unwavering support underscores the global commitment to sustainable tourism.
A Memorable Legacy
The GSTC2024 Conference in Sentosa not only celebrated innovation and collaboration but also set new benchmarks for sustainable event practices. Attendees left inspired to integrate these principles into their own initiatives, advancing the mission for a more sustainable and inclusive future in tourism.
Thank you to all participants and partners for making #GSTC2024 a remarkable success.
The post Sentosa Hosts GSTC2024, Uniting 500 Delegates from 55 Countries to Spotlight Global Sustainable Tourism Innovations appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
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