The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is an independent organization established in 2007 by UNEP, the United Nations Environment Program, and UNWTO, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, for promoting the increased knowledge, understanding and adoption of sustainable tourism practices.

GSTC has a worldwide network of members representing a wide range of stakeholders in the tourism industry, leading international tour operators, government organizations, national tourism councils, local and international hospitality brands.

GSTC has developed a set of standards, also known as GSTC criteria. GSTC has developed a set of standards, also known as GSTC criteria. The criteria represent the minimum requirements that any tourism business must achieve for socially, economically, culturally and environmentally sustainable tourism all over the world:

GSTC C-HTO: GSTC criteria for hotels and operators;
GSTC CD: GSTC for destinations.
The GSTC Criteria are recognized worldwide; they must be adapted and expanded to the unique circumstances of each region of the world and each industry sector. GSTC Criteria are available on the GSTC website.

They are organized around four main themes:

• Demonstrate effective sustainable management;
• Maximizing social and economic benefits to the local community and minimizing negative impacts;
• Maximizing the benefits to cultural heritage and minimizing negative impacts;
• It is to maximize the benefits to the environment and to minimize the negative effects.

The criteria are revised every 3-5 years. Third-party audits are performed to ensure hotels, operators and destinations meet the program's requirements. Audits are carried out by an accredited certification body. ASI (Accreditation Services International) is the Accreditation Body of GSTC.

Vireo leads the ASI accreditation process to issue GSTC certification for hotels, tour operators and destinations.

Complaints and appeals procedures are available on request.