GSTC Speaks at TCVB Seminar: Direct Insights into Third-Party Certification for Sustainable Tourism

On May 20, 2026, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the international non-profit that establishes and manages global standards for sustainable tourism, participated in a seminar hosted by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB), a GSTC member. The seminar, titled 'Ask Certification Bodies Directly! Third-Party Certification in Sustainable Tourism,' was held in Tokyo.

Approximately 90 participants from travel agencies, hotels, airlines, tourism operators, and tourism promotion organizations attended both in-person and online to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of third-party certification in sustainable tourism.

Hyun-Soo Kong, GSTC Director for Japan and Senior Research Specialist, spoke at the seminar, introducing the GSTC, the importance of 'accredited third-party certification,' and the latest trends in sustainability-related regulations, particularly in Europe. Kong emphasized that it is no longer enough to 'work on sustainability,' but it is increasingly important to 'be able to prove those efforts in an internationally trusted form.' She noted that GSTC certification is an effective means for tourism operators to visualize and objectively demonstrate their efforts based on international standards.

A panel discussion followed with three certification bodies operating in Japan: Control Union, Bureau Veritas, and Vireo. They discussed practical implementation challenges, certification needs, and future market trends.

Panelists highlighted benefits of certification, including enhanced credibility in the international market, visualization of sustainability efforts, improved employee awareness, and cost savings through better management of water and energy usage. They also noted that interest in certified operators is growing in the OTA and corporate travel markets, leading to improved market competitiveness.

Regarding the Japanese tourism industry, panelists pointed out that while many operators practice sustainability in line with GSTC standards, they struggle with the mechanisms to record, monitor, and provide evidence for these efforts. They stressed the importance of 'visualizing' sustainability initiatives. At the same time, they noted a trend in the Japanese market where adoption takes time to gain recognition but accelerates rapidly once a certain threshold is reached.