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GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CRITERIA FOR HOTELS AND TOUR OPERATORS | |
Section A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |
A1 |
The organisation has implemented a long-term sustainability management system that is suitable to its reality and scope, and which addresses environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, health and safety issues. |
A2 |
The organisation is in compliance with all applicable local to international legislation and regulations (including, among others, health, safety, labor and environmental aspects). |
A3 |
All personnel receive periodic guidance and training regarding their roles and responsibilities with respect to environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, health and safety issues. |
A4 |
Customer satisfaction, including sustainability aspects, is measured and corrective action taken. |
A5 |
Promotional materials are accurate and complete with regard to the organisation and its products and services, including sustainability claims. They do not promise more than is being delivered. |
Section A: Demonstrate effective sustainable management | |
A6 |
Planning, design, construction, renovation, operation and demolition of buildings and infrastructure |
A6.1 |
Comply with zoning requirements and with laws related to protected areas and heritage consideration. |
A6.2 |
Respect for the natural and cultural heritage surroundings in planning, siting, design and impact assessment. |
A6.3 |
Use locally appropriate sustainable practices and materials. |
A6.4 |
Provide access for persons with special needs, where appropriate. |
A7 |
Land and water rights, and property acquisition are legal, comply with local communal and indigenous rights, including their free, prior and informed consent, and do not require involuntary resettlement. |
A8 |
Information about and interpretation of the natural surroundings, local culture, and cultural heritage is provided to customers, as well as explaining appropriate behaviour while visiting natural areas, living cultures, and cultural heritage sites. |
Section B: Maximise social and economic benefits to the host community and minimise negative impacts | |
B1 |
The organisation actively supports initiatives for local infrastructure and social community development including, among others, education, training, health and sanitation. |
B2 |
Local residents are given equal opportunity for employment including in management positions. All employees are equally offered regular training, experience and opportunities for advancement. |
B3 |
Local services and goods are purchased and offered by the organisation, following fair-trade principles. |
B4 |
The organisation offers the means for local small entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable products that are based on the area’s nature, history and culture (including food and beverages, crafts, performance arts, agricultural products, etc.). |
B5 |
A documented code of conduct for activities in indigenous and local communities has been developed and implemented with the collaboration and consent of the affected community. |
B6 |
The organisation has implemented a policy against commercial, sexual or any other form of exploitation and harassment, particularly of children, adolescents, women and minorities. |
B7 |
The organisation offers equal employment opportunities to women, local minorities and others, including in management positions, while restraining child labour. |
B8 |
The international or national legal protection of employees is respected, and employees are paid at least a living wage. |
B9 |
The activities of the organisation do not jeopardise the provision of basic services, such as food, water, energy, healthcare or sanitation, to neighbouring communities. |
B10 |
Tourism activity does not adversely affect local access to livelihoods, including land and aquatic resource use, rights-of-way, transport and housing. |
Section D: Maximise benefits to the environment and minimise negative impacts | |
D1 Conserving resources |
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D1.1 |
Purchasing policies favour locally appropriate and ecologically sustainable products, including building materials, capital goods, food, beverages and consumables. |
D1.2 |
The purchase and use of disposable and consumable goods is measured and the organisation actively seeks ways to reduce their use. |
D1.3 |
Energy consumption is measured, sources are indicated, and measures are adopted to minimise overall consumption, and encourage the use of renewable energy. |
D1.4 |
Water consumption is measured, sources are indicated, and measures are adopted to minimise overall consumption. Water sourcing is sustainable, and does not adversely affect environmental flows. |
D2 Reducing pollution |
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D2.1 |
Greenhouse gas emissions from all sources controlled by the organisation are measured, procedures are implemented to minimise them, and offsetting remaining emissions is encouraged. |
D2.2 |
The organisation encourages its customers, staff and suppliers to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. |
D2.3 |
Wastewater, including grey water, is effectively treated and is only reused or released safely, with no adverse effects to the local population and the environment. |
D2.4 |
Waste is measured, mechanisms are in place to reduce waste, and where reduction is not feasible, to re-use or recycle it. Any residual waste disposal has no adverse effect on the local population and the environment. |
D2.5 |
The use of harmful substances, including pesticides, paints, swimming pool disinfectants, and cleaning materials, is minimised, and substituted when available, by innocuous products or processes. All storage, use, handling, and disposal of chemicals are properly managed. |
D2.6 |
The organisation implements practices to minimise pollution from noise, light, runoff, erosion, ozone-depleting compounds, and air, water and soil contaminants. |
D3 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and landscapes |
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D3.1 |
Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilisation is sustainable, and in compliance with local to international laws. |
D3.2 |
No captive wildlife is held, except for properly regulated activities, in compliance with local to international law. Living specimens of protected and wildlife species are only kept by those authorised and suitably equipped to house and care for them humanely. |
D3.3 |
The organisation takes measures to avoid the introduction of invasive alien species. Native species are used for landscaping and restoration wherever feasible, particularly in natural landscapes. |
D3.4 |
The organisation supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation, including natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value. |
D3.5 |
Interactions with wildlife, taking into account cumulative impacts, do not produce adverse effects on the viability and behaviour of populations in the wild. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimised, rehabilitated, and there is a compensatory contribution to conservation management. |
Sources: Global Sustainable Tourism Council 2013. ‘Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators’. www.gstcouncil.org; Global Sustainable Tourism Council 2013. ‘Global Sustainable Tourism Destination Criteria’. www.gstcouncil.org.