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How GSTC certification works

The concepts below apply to all six GSTC standards. Whether you are a hotel, tour operator, restaurant, or attraction — the certification structure, audit process, and nonconformity framework are the same.

Looking for standard-specific information? Browse all six standards →

GSTC — who they are and what they do

The organisation behind the standards

What does GSTC stand for, and what does it actually do?

GSTC stands for the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. It is a non-profit organisation that establishes global baseline standards for sustainable tourism and accredits independent third-party organisations — called Certification Bodies — to conduct audits against those standards. GSTC does not certify tourism businesses directly. It sets the rules and authorises the auditors.

If GSTC doesn't certify my business, who does?

Your business is certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body (CB) — an independent third-party organisation assessed and approved by GSTC to conduct audits against the relevant standard. The CB sends trained auditors to review your documentation and visit your operation. If you meet the standard's requirements, the CB issues certification. GSTC plays no role in individual audits.

How do I know if a Certification Body is legitimate?

GSTC publishes a list of GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies at gstcouncil.org. A CB claiming to certify businesses against GSTC Standards that does not appear on that list is not GSTC-accredited. Always verify a CB's accreditation status before engaging them.

What is a GSTC-Recognised programme?

GSTC also recognises third-party sustainability programmes — such as Travelife (for tour operators) and certain Rainforest Alliance programmes — that have been assessed by GSTC and confirmed to meet GSTC criteria. Certification under a GSTC-Recognised programme is broadly equivalent to GSTC certification for most commercial and regulatory purposes. Verify current recognition status at gstcouncil.org, as recognition is reviewed when programmes are revised.

The GSTC certification ecosystem

Global Sustainable Tourism Council

Sets standards · Accredits CBs · Does not certify businesses

accredits

GSTC-Accredited Certification Body

Independent auditor · Conducts Document Review and Onsite Audit · Issues certification

certifies

Hotels

Tour Operators

Restaurants, Attractions, MICE, Destinations

The certification process

Five stages, three years

What does the full certification process look like?

Five stages. The business self-assesses against the relevant GSTC standard and prepares evidence. It selects and engages a GSTC-Accredited CB. The CB conducts a Document Review — a remote assessment of submitted evidence against the standard's performance indicators. The CB then conducts an Onsite Visit — inspecting the operation, reviewing physical records, and interviewing staff. The CB issues a certification decision. Certification is valid for three years, with annual surveillance audits during that period.

How long does the process take?

A well-prepared business can move through Document Review and Onsite Visit within three to six months of formally engaging a CB. Businesses starting without a sustainability management system, monitoring records, or supplier documentation should budget six to eighteen months of preparation before formal assessment begins.

What is a Document Review?

The Document Review is a remote assessment in which the CB's auditors evaluate submitted evidence against the standard's requirements. Auditors assess whether documented policies, procedures, records, and evidence satisfy each performance indicator. The CB may request clarifications or additional documentation during this stage.

What is an Onsite Visit?

The Onsite Visit is a physical visit during which auditors verify that documented practices reflect actual operations — through facility inspection, record review, and interviews with staff at multiple levels. A business with strong documentation but inconsistent practice will be identified at this stage.

Do I need a consultant?

No. A business can engage a CB directly without a consultant. Consultants are commonly used — particularly for businesses going through the process for the first time — to assist with gap assessment, documentation development, and audit preparation. Using a consultant does not influence the CB's certification decision.

Preparation

Self-assessment · Build documentation · Gap analysis

Engage a GSTC-Accredited CB

Choose from the accredited list · Agree scope · Submit application

Document Review

CB assesses evidence remotely · Typically 4–8 weeks

Onsite Visit

Auditors visit · Inspect · Interview staff · 1–3 days

Certification issued — 3 years

Annual surveillance · Full recertification at year 3

Nonconformities

What happens when a gap is found

What is a nonconformity?

A nonconformity is a formal finding issued by the CB when a performance indicator is not met. It is not an automatic failure of the overall certification — it is a documented gap that must be resolved. There are two categories: Major and Minor.

What is the difference between a Major and a Minor nonconformity?

A Major nonconformity is where a fundamental requirement is absent — no sustainability policy, no environmental monitoring, or a significant legal compliance failure. A Minor nonconformity is where a requirement is partially met — a policy exists but has not been communicated to all relevant staff, or monitoring records are incomplete.

How long does a business have to resolve a nonconformity?

Under the GSTC Accreditation Manual v5.0 (Clause 8.15), a Major nonconformity must be resolved within 90 days of the finding. A Minor nonconformity must be resolved before the next annual surveillance audit — typically within 12 months. If a Major nonconformity remains unresolved after 90 days, the CB cannot issue or maintain certification.

Major nonconformity

What it means

Fundamental requirement absent — no policy, no monitoring, significant legal failure

Resolution window

90 days from date of finding (GSTC Accreditation Manual v5.0, Clause 8.15)

Outcome

Unresolved → certification cannot be issued or maintained

Minor nonconformity

What it means

Requirement partially met — gap in quality or completeness, not in existence

Resolution window

Before next annual surveillance audit — typically within 12 months

Outcome

Resolved at surveillance → certification continues

After certification

Validity, surveillance, and renewal

How long is GSTC certification valid?

Certification is issued for three years from the date of issue. Annual surveillance audits are required during the three-year period. A full recertification audit is conducted at the end of three years against the current version of the relevant GSTC standard.

What is a surveillance audit?

A surveillance audit is a periodic verification conducted by the CB between initial certification and recertification. It confirms that the business continues to meet the standard's requirements and that the sustainability management system is operating as documented. Surveillance audits are typically shorter than the initial certification audit.

My certification has expired — what do I do?

Contact a GSTC-Accredited CB and begin the standard process. Evidence from before the lapse is useful where it is still current. There is no accelerated pathway for previously-certified businesses — recertification follows the full process.

Can I use the GSTC certification mark in marketing?

Only businesses with current, active GSTC certification — within the three-year period with all surveillance audits current — are authorised to use GSTC certification marks. Using a GSTC certification claim after certification has expired is not authorised and may constitute a misleading claim under consumer protection regulations including EU Directive 2024/825.

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