ShanghaiApril 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, SGS (hereinafter referred to as “SGS”), an internationally recognized testing, inspection, and certification organization, has officially obtained accreditation from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), qualifying as a GSTC certification body. This accreditation affirms SGS’s professional expertise and international credibility in the field of sustainable tourism, while also providing a vital platform for the tourism and hospitality industries in various regions to align with global standards. Travel agencies and hotels can leverage GSTC certification to transform their existing efforts and achievements in sustainable management, social responsibility, cultural preservation, and environmental protection into globally credible proof, thereby strengthening trust in the international market and enhancing competitive advantage.
GSTC Standards Help Establish a Common Language for Global Sustainable Tourism
GSTC is a global sustainability benchmark in the tourism sector, and the GSTC standards it establishes are widely adopted across various fields, including destinations (governments, tourism boards), hotels/accommodations (e.g., international hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts), travel agencies (travel platforms or agencies), the MICE industry (venues, event planning companies, convention organizations), and attractions (theme parks, museums, and national parks), serving as a key measure of sustainable performance in the tourism industry. The GSTC standards cover four core areas: sustainable management, social and economic responsibility, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. With SGS obtaining GSTC certification body status, it will assist travel agencies and hotels in showcasing their sustainable achievements, enhancing brand trust and market competitiveness.
GSTC Certification Helps Travel Agencies and Hotels Make Their Sustainable Achievements Visible
Travel agencies and hotels have long been dedicated to sustainable operations, from implementing energy-saving equipment, reducing plastic use, and advancing carbon audits, to designing local cultural experiences and fostering community collaboration models. The industry as a whole has demonstrated results and momentum across the four core GSTC areas. GSTC certification provides objective, transparent, and globally recognized proof of these existing efforts, allowing industry players’ work to be seen internationally and trusted by travelers. In sustainable management: establishing systematic management processes and continuous improvement mechanisms; integrating international sustainable tourism trends into business strategies. In social and economic responsibility: actively promoting local employment and procurement to create shared value; hiring and training local residents to provide tourism services whenever possible. In cultural preservation: supporting locally produced ingredients, crafts, and restaurants, and purchasing distinctive local souvenirs to directly boost the local economy. In environmental protection: continuously optimizing energy efficiency, reducing waste, and implementing carbon reduction actions to minimize the consumption of disposable items.
SGS Commits to Being a Driver of Sustainable Upgrades in Tourism and Hospitality
A representative from SGS’s Management and Assurance Division stated: “Sustainability has become a common language in global tourism. SGS continues to promote sustainable development. With the acquisition of GSTC certification body status, we will help travel agencies and hotels present their sustainable achievements and demonstrate the strength and value of the tourism industry to the international market. SGS aspires to be a bridge for the tourism industry, ensuring that organizations’ sustainable tourism efforts are seen and trusted globally. At the same time, SGS looks forward to becoming a partner for the tourism industry in going global, enhancing the industry’s visibility and competitiveness in the global sustainable tourism landscape.”
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) develops and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Standards or GSTC Criteria. These standards include: GSTC Destination Criteria for public policymakers and destination managers; GSTC Hotel Criteria for hotels and accommodations; GSTC Travel Agency Criteria; MICE Criteria for convention venues, event organizers, and activities and exhibitions; and GSTC Attraction Criteria for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks. The GSTC Standards serve as the foundation for GSTC’s assurance to certification bodies, which certify hotels/accommodations, travel agencies, MICE venues/centers, attractions, and destinations for their sustainable policies and practices. GSTC itself does not directly certify any products or services but provides accreditation to those bodies that offer certification.
As an internationally recognized testing, inspection, and certification organization, SGS is regarded as a benchmark for sustainability, quality, and integrity. With over 100,000 professional employees across more than 2,500 branches and laboratories in 115 countries and regions, SGS has built a global service network. Leveraging over 145 years of exceptional experience, SGS helps companies achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance, and sustainable development. SGS’s Management and Assurance Division assists organizations in meeting numerous ISO standards, industry requirements, and regulatory demands, specializing in providing solutions for business optimization and operational efficiency, including management system certification, social responsibility audits, supply chain management, green energy, low-carbon, and sustainable development, thereby helping businesses accelerate trade and build trust.