The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) was created for understanding and promoting the practice of sustainable tourism and economic development, along with taking care of natural resources, communities, traditions, and ways of life related to tourism.

     The scope of work under the GSTC criteria can be applied to a wide range of different forms of tourism, including large tourist destinations such as cities or regions, and smaller ones such as national parks. Many of these criteria can be implemented by local communities through agencies responsible for managing tourism sites, which requires the participation of both the public and private sectors.

     In addition, some rules apply to management by state-owned enterprises, while others would apply to private business and various forms of operations such as museums, festivals, public buildings, and monuments, as well as hotels or tourist attractions.

     These GSTC Criteria and Indicators can be partially conceptualized, or all the criteria may be used, so localities or sectors may modify the indicators as appropriate. GSTC regularly reviews and updates the criteria and indicators based on opinions, new knowledge, and sustainability trends. Operations interested in GSTC should check regularly to keep up to date with the guidelines.