The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is set to host the GSTC2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference from November 13 to 16, 2024, at the Equarius Hotel in Sentosa, Singapore. This important event aims to bring together international and regional leaders in the tourism sector to promote sustainability practices within the industry.
The Equarius Hotel is distinguished for its compliance with the GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels, situated in the renowned sustainable destination of Resorts World Sentosa. Notably, this location was the first worldwide to achieve certification under both the GSTC Destination Criteria and GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels in 2021. The broader regions of Sentosa and Singapore have also been recognized as sustainable destinations, reinforcing the conference’s dedication to environmental stewardship.
The GSTC2024 conference will explore critical themes spanning various sectors, including governmental bodies, hospitality, academia, and non-governmental organizations. Key topics will include Sustainable Urban Tourism, Hospitality Sustainability, Comprehensive Sustainability Integration, and the Preservation of Cultural, Heritage, and Community Assets.
Designed to equip attendees with actionable strategies and insights, the conference will feature prominent speakers and a range of collaborative forums. The goal is to drive significant positive changes in communities and environments through enhanced sustainability practices.
In addition to engaging discussions and educational sessions, the conference will offer immersive pre- and post-conference activities. These will include specialized tours of Sentosa, showcasing the island’s leading sustainable tourism initiatives. Attendees will gain exclusive insights into the operations of Resorts World Sentosa, as well as explore ecological and cultural preservation efforts on the Southern Islands. These experiences aim to deepen participants’ understanding of sustainable practices while illustrating the balance between tourism development and environmental preservation.
Ms. Ong Huey Hong, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Singapore Tourism Board, stated, “Hosting the GSTC2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference highlights Singapore’s appeal as a Global-Asia node for quality events and underscores our commitment to sustainable tourism. Guided by the Singapore Green Plan, our strategy aims to build a City in Nature, where large experiences come with small footprints. We are committed to supporting the tourism industry in their sustainability journey, pushing boundaries in innovation by leveraging technology and enhancing the green skills of our workforce. This conference will serve as a crucial platform for global leaders to convene, exchange insights, and collaboratively forge new partnerships in sustainable tourism, inspiring meaningful impact worldwide.”
Mr. Lee Cheh Hsien, Assistant Chief Executive of Corporate and Sustainability at Sentosa Development Corporation, added, “As the first destination in Asia certified to GSTC’s destination standards, we are honored to host GSTC’s first global conference in Southeast Asia. We look forward to the learnings and exchanges among global experts and participants. We welcome them to immerse themselves in Sentosa’s lush nature and heritage sites and experience firsthand the sustainability initiatives championed by the businesses across our island ecosystem.”
Ms. Lee Shi Ruh, President of Resorts World Sentosa, expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “As the first destination globally certified to both the GSTC Destination Criteria and GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels in 2021, Resorts World Sentosa is honored to play a pivotal role in hosting the GSTC2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference at Equarius Hotel this November. We are excited to support the conference’s mission to promote sustainable travel and tourism, collaborating with stakeholders and the local community to build a sustainable future for Sentosa. At RWS, we are making significant progress toward becoming a carbon-neutral destination by 2030, focusing on decarbonization, sustainable infrastructure, and green job creation. We are pleased to introduce a guided tour that takes delegates behind the scenes of our integrated resort, highlighting innovations such as our district cooling plant and cloud-based Building Management System and their impact on advancing our vision of RWS as a sustainable tourism destination.”