The International Trade Administration (ITA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to advance sustainability and resilience in the travel and tourism industry.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to fostering sustainable practices through collaborative initiatives, educational efforts, and coordinated outreach activities aligned with ITA’s National Travel and Tourism Strategy.

Key Objectives of the MOA

The MOA focuses on driving a sustainable tourism agenda by leveraging joint activities, including the exchange of information, organizing webinars, hosting events, and conducting training sessions.

These initiatives aim to inform stakeholders about sustainable tourism practices and provide educational resources to help businesses align with the fourth pillar of ITA’s National Travel and Tourism Strategy, which emphasizes sustainability and resilience in the tourism sector.

Additionally, the partnership seeks to facilitate international trade, enhance public awareness of the economic benefits of trade, and promote U.S. government resources available to businesses.

By working together, ITA and GSTC will encourage U.S. businesses to adopt sustainable practices, explore export opportunities, and help foreign investors navigate U.S. markets with support from ITA.

A Commitment to Sustainability in Tourism

GSTC, a global leader in sustainable tourism standards, will collaborate with ITA to enhance the sustainability of the U.S. tourism industry.

By promoting GSTC’s global criteria, which serve as guiding principles for destinations, hotels, tour operators, and attractions, this partnership aims to empower businesses to implement sustainable policies and practices that conserve cultural and natural resources while fostering economic growth.

The GSTC Criteria include:

Destination Criteria: For public policymakers and destination managers.
Industry Criteria: For hotels, tour operators, and tourism businesses.
MICE Criteria: For venues, event organizers, and exhibitions.
Attraction Criteria: For tourist attractions such as museums, national parks, and theme parks.

Through its accreditation system, GSTC provides assurance that certification bodies meet global sustainability standards.

While GSTC itself does not certify businesses, it ensures the credibility of organizations that do.

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