Thai sustainable tourism standard gets GSTC recognition

Recognition harmonises national and international standards

Thailand’s Sustainable Tourism Management Standard, published by Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) – a government agency under the Prime Minister’s Office – has become the first tourism-related standard in the country to receive the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-Recognized status.

Being GSTC-Recognized means that the sustainability standard has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Accreditation Panel and deemed equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism, without suggesting that the certification process is reliable.

Recognition harmonises national and international standards

Nalikatibhag Sangsnit, director-general of DASTA, said that the agency will be working towards achieving GSTC-Accredited status, which affirms that the certification process follows the highest international standards.

“By gaining GSTC-Recognized status, another step has been achieved in harmonising national sustainability standards, set by DASTA, with global sustainability standards, set by GSTC,” said Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC.

“This harmonisation provides clarity for the management and market-facing communication of the application of these standards. That message includes the inclusion of the four pillars of sustainability: sustainable management, social/community, cultural and environmental issues.”

To date, 10 destination standards, and 30 hotels and tour operators standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status.

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