Perspectivele implementării criteriilor de sustenabilitate în cadrul destinațiilor turistice din Republica Moldova [Articol]

Abstract

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism through its four sets of criteria: Destination, Industry, MICE, and Attraction Criteria. These criteria, grounded in decades of global collaboration, provide a framework for sustainable management practices, emphasizing socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental impacts. They are designed to adapt to local conditions, making them versatile tools for various tourism sectors. The relevance of GSTC’s work lies in its alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering responsible tourism development worldwide. By offering a foundation for accreditation, GSTC helps certify destinations, accommodations, and operators as sustainable, while its neutral and inclusive structure ensures global accessibility. This paper highlights GSTC’s innovative approach, bridging diverse geopolitical and cultural contexts to create a common language for sustainability. The integration of ISO and ISEAL standards further strengthens its credibility. The discussion underscores the utility of GSTC Criteria as guidelines for destinations, tools for education, and benchmarks for certification. The originality lies in GSTC's comprehensive yet adaptable framework, making it a cornerstone for sustainable tourism.