The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the world's most trusted benchmark for sustainable tourism, has finally arrived in India, offering hotels a locally accessible and cost-effective pathway to global recognition. This landmark move, enabled by a strategic partnership between United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL), a pioneering GSTC-accredited body, and QualStar, India’s leading hotel certification expert, eliminates the need for expensive international audits, making it easier for Indian hotels to align with global sustainability standards. A hotel certified in India, Japan, or the United States is measured against the exact same parameters, providing unmatched credibility with travellers, corporations, and governments worldwide. Until now, Indian hotels seeking GSTC certification had to invite auditors from overseas — an expensive process that required international travel, accommodation, and related expenses. With trained, globally approved auditors now available in India through QualStar, hotels can achieve the same globally trusted certification at a fraction of the cost. The Gold Standard of Sustainable Tourism GSTC was established through a United Nations-led initiative to create a unified, global standard for sustainable tourism. This means a hotel certified in India is held to the exact same rigorous parameters as one in Singapore, Turkey, or the United States. This consistency provides unparalleled credibility with global travelers, tour operators, and corporate clients who are increasingly prioritizing ethical and sustainable choices. The certification covers four key pillars of sustainable tourism: • Sustainable Management: Ensuring a hotel's operations are transparent and committed to sustainability goals. • Socio-Economic Impacts: Focusing on fair labor practices, community engagement, and supporting local economies. • Cultural Impacts: Promoting and protecting cultural heritage. • Environmental Impacts: Managing energy, water, waste, and biodiversity effectively. By meeting these criteria, certified hotels not only reduce their environmental footprint but also enhance their brand reputation and marketability on a global scale. This is especially relevant in a world where countries like Singapore and Turkey have already made GSTC certification mandatory for their hotel sectors. In India, adoption remains voluntary, which is why only a handful of properties (mostly in South India) are certified. However, leading chains are trying to align with GSTC standards, recognising their importance in corporate procurement, international marketing, and future-readiness. With India facing a shortage of over 300,000 hotel rooms, scaling GSTC certification is set to: • Strengthen India’s competitiveness in global tourism markets. • Showcase India as a sustainable and culturally rich destination. • Attract higher-spending, sustainability-conscious travellers. • Open access to global corporate RFPs and green supply chains. UCSL–QualStar Partnership Delivers Certification in India This milestone has been enabled by a strategic partnership between United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL), one of the first GSTC-accredited certification bodies, and QualStar. As UCSL’s authorised partner, QualStar will conduct GSTC certification audits across India, with full oversight from UCSL to ensure international integrity and rigour. Voices from the Partnership “Through our partnership with QualStar, we can ensure that GSTC Certification remains rigorous, impartial, and internationally credible, while also becoming more accessible and relevant to the Indian market.” said Olga Shuvalova, CEO of UCSL. Subha Bhaskar, COO of QualStar, added: “We are proud to collaborate with UCSL as their authorised partner in India. This allows us to combine UCSL’s global credibility with our local expertise, ensuring sustainability audits that are both internationally recognised and deeply relevant to Indian hotels.” Driving India’s Leadership in Sustainable Tourism India’s hospitality industry is among the fastest-growing in the world, but it faces rising demands from travellers, corporations, and regulators for verified sustainability. GSTC certification offers: • Credibility: A UN-origin, third-party verified standard trusted globally. • Cost efficiency: Local auditors eliminate international travel expenses. • Policy alignment: Supports India’s Incredible India and Dekho Apna Desh initiatives. • Market access: Helps hotels qualify for global RFPs, corporate clients, and eco-conscious tour operators. • Long-term growth: Positions India as a leader in responsible tourism across Asia and beyond. About GSTC The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and oversees global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, and accredits certification bodies. Certification by a GSTC-accredited body is recognised as the highest level of assurance in sustainable tourism worldwide. About UCSL United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is a global independent certification body, among the first to be GSTC-Accredited. UCSL certifies hotels and tour operators worldwide, ensuring credibility, impartiality, and international recognition. About QualStar QualStar is India’s only recognised certification body for hotels, with decades of expertise in hotel classification and sustainability audits. As UCSL’s authorised subcontractor, QualStar now brings GSTC Certification to India with transparency, impartiality, and cost efficiency.
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