GSTC Destination Sustainability Management System
GSTC Destination Sustainability Management System
Tourism sustainability managed at the scale of a whole place, where no single organisation owns the outcome.
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Written and reviewed by practising specialists. Who writes this
Built and reviewed with our methodology. Read it
Read the guide: Managing a Sustainable Destination: A Guide to the GSTC Destination Criteria
By document type
| Category | Files |
|---|---|
| Manuals | 2 |
| Policies | 1 |
| Procedures & SOPs | 24 |
| Forms & Records | 21 |
| Checklists & Audit Tools | 7 |
| Registers, Logs & Matrices | 14 |
| Training & Awareness | 5 |
| Guides & Work Instructions | 7 |
Key documents
| Reference | Document | Format |
|---|---|---|
| AGS-DM-01 | Destination Sustainability Management Manual | Word |
| AGS-PR-03 | Destination Strategy and Action Plan | Word |
| AGS-PR-09 | Visitor Volume Management | Word |
| AGS-PR-04 | Monitoring Indicators and Reporting | Word |
| AGS-FM-04 | Visitor Volume and Impact Monitoring | Word |
| AGS-RC-13 | Destination KPI Dashboard | Word |
- Need the complete document list? Request it — same day
- Want to check the quality first? Preview free samples
Overview
The GSTC Destination Criteria are the global baseline for sustainable destination management, and this system turns them into working governance for a city, region, protected area or any other geographic unit where tourism occurs. It is built for destination management and marketing organisations, local and regional government and multi-stakeholder tourism bodies, whose task is to coordinate many independent businesses, residents and public agencies rather than run one operation. It suits destinations of widely varying scale and maturity, and the self-assessment is written to version 2.0 of the destination standard.
Four pillars organise the content: sustainable management, resting on a destination management body with a clear mandate, funding and a multi-year strategy; socioeconomic sustainability that keeps benefit with the host community; cultural sustainability protecting heritage; and environmental sustainability covering natural resources, pollution and biodiversity. In practice that means indicator monitoring and public reporting, visitor volume management, planning and development control, climate change adaptation, crisis planning, resident and enterprise engagement, and registers for heritage assets, energy and water, waste and emissions. The framework connects to the Sustainable Development Goals and complements the enterprise standards hotels and tour operators apply inside the destination, while GSTC itself recognises standards and accredits the certification bodies that assess destinations rather than certifying them directly.
What this system covers
- Destination governance — management structure, mandate, funding and stakeholder representation
- Strategy and indicators — a multi-year action plan with targets, measured indicators and public reporting
- Visitor pressure — volume and impact monitoring, visitor engagement, planning and development control
- Socioeconomic outcomes — local economy and enterprise, decent work and careers, community contributions
- Cultural and natural heritage — site registers, protection measures and visitor information
- Environmental performance — energy and water use, waste, and the greenhouse-gas inventory
- Residents and enterprises — consultation, grievance handling, capacity building and engaging certified businesses
- Climate adaptation, risk and crisis management, with legal and policy compliance
Who it's for
Destination management organisations, tourism and sustainability leads in local or regional government, and the consultants advising them, usually once a decision has been taken to seek assessment against a GSTC-Recognised destination standard, or where pressure on residents and sites has made coordinated management unavoidable. The end state is a management body working to a written strategy, with indicators tracked, stakeholders consulted on the record, and a self-assessment showing where the destination stands against each criterion.
Everything you get
Every toolkit gives you a full set of working documents for your standard, ready to edit and use.
Native Microsoft files. Add your logo and adapt every document to how you work.
Your full toolkit arrives as a ZIP the moment payment clears.
Any of your staff, at any of your own sites. No per-seat fees.
Sector specialists author each toolkit. A principal reviewer with more than twenty years reviews it.
One payment, perpetual licence for your organisation. No subscriptions, no renewals.
If a document is wrong, missing or not as described, tell us within 14 days. We fix it or refund you.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly do I receive?
A downloadable ZIP containing the full set of ready-to-use documents for this toolkit — manuals, procedures, forms, records, checklists, guidance and training material, all in editable Word and Excel format. The exact document count is shown at the top of this page.
Are the documents really editable?
Yes. Every file is native Microsoft Word or Excel — no locked PDFs. Add your logo, change wording, and tailor the content to your organisation. The toolkit is yours to keep and reuse.
Does this certify my organisation?
No. These are documentation toolkits aligned to the relevant standard to help you prepare. Certification itself is issued by an accredited certification body after their audit. Our toolkits give you a strong, audit-ready starting point.
How is it delivered?
Instantly and digitally. There's no physical shipment — you download the files right after payment and receive a backup link by email.
Do I get updates?
Yes, for 12 months. Fixes and revisions to this toolkit are free for 12 months from your order. Email us with your order number to get them.
What is your refund policy?
If a document is wrong, missing or not as described, tell us within 14 days of your order. We fix it or refund you. If you have not downloaded yet, we can cancel the order and refund you in full. We don't refund a change of mind after download. See the Refund policy.
Cannot find your standard?
Tell us which scheme you work to. We will point you to the right toolkit.
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