The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has unveiled sustainability criteria tailored for the MICE sector, marking a significant advance in promoting eco-friendly practices.
This initiative adds to existing criteria for hotels and tour operators, with the latest guidelines offering comprehensive support for venues and event organisers committed to sustainable practices.
Global Standards for Sustainable Meetings
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has announced a new set of sustainability criteria specifically designed for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. This development marks the first dedicated sustainability guidelines for the sector, adding to GSTC’s earlier criteria for hotels and tour operators.
These criteria are crafted with input from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), reflecting a consolidated effort to promote sustainability within the industry. The guidelines serve multiple purposes, including education, policy-making, and certification for venues and event organisers. Such measures are essential as the world increasingly demands sustainable tourism practices.
Key Contributors and Their Roles
Randy Durband, GSTC’s Chief Executive, emphasised the significance of these guidelines, stating they represent a year’s dedicated labour. “Let’s seize this opportunity to significantly advance the MICE industry’s journey towards sustainability,” he commented, highlighting the growing need for universal standards in the sector.
The STB, as a crucial collaborator, has been instrumental in developing these criteria. Yap Chin Siang, Deputy Chief Executive of STB, stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement in adopting these standards, urging stakeholders to embrace the criteria to foster sustainable tourism.
MICE Sector’s Sustainability Roadmap
The STB’s commitment to sustainability is further reflected in its MICE Sustainability Roadmap launched in 2022. This roadmap aims to set local best practices focusing on waste management goals and reducing carbon emissions.
To establish a global consensus on sustainable practices, the GSTC’s criteria were consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive guidelines were developed for the MICE sector. This approach aims to facilitate the sector’s transformation towards more sustainable operations.
Structure and Impact of the Criteria
The GSTC MICE Criteria encompass three main components: venues, event organisers, and events and exhibitions. These are accompanied by performance indicators and guidance for measuring compliance, assisting businesses in improving their sustainability metrics.
The guidelines aim to clarify sustainability concepts, aid in certification processes, and help consumers identify sustainable businesses within the MICE industry. This initiative also sets a common ground for recognising and promoting sustainable MICE practices globally.
Early Adopter Programme
To accelerate the adoption of these standards, the GSTC plans to initiate an ‘Early Adopter Programme’ spanning two years. This programme will facilitate industry players in testing the criteria, promoting knowledge sharing and collaborative learning across the sector.
Details on this programme are anticipated shortly, promising significant engagement opportunities for those in the MICE sector to align themselves with best practices in sustainability.
Background of GSTC
The GSTC was founded by the UN Environment Programme and the UN World Tourism Organisation to establish global standards for sustainable tourism. It has been pivotal in crafting criteria for various sectors since 2008, adapting and expanding them to meet evolving industry needs.
The MICE Criteria build on this legacy, representing a logical progression in GSTC’s mission to drive widespread adoption of sustainable practices in global tourism.
Future Prospects
The GSTC’s efforts highlight the critical need for the MICE sector to integrate sustainable practices. This initiative signals a growing trend towards more responsible tourism, encouraging businesses to reassess their operations and make necessary adjustments.
By embracing the GSTC’s criteria, the MICE sector can significantly contribute to global sustainability goals, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable tourism practices.
The adoption of the GSTC’s MICE criteria underscores a pivotal shift towards sustainability within the meetings and events sector. As these guidelines gain traction, industry players are better equipped to meet global sustainability demands, fostering both economic and environmental benefits.
