GSTC releases first R4MSEC Roundtable Report on Micro and Small Enterprises Certification

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has published its first report from the R4MSEC – Roundtable for Micro and Small Enterprises Certification, an initiative launched on 14 March 2025 to support the development of certification approaches that are more accessible and relevant for micro and small tourism enterprises.

Purpose of the Report
- The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) launched the Roundtable for Micro and Small Enterprises Certification (R4MSEC) to explore how sustainability certification can be made more accessible to small tourism businesses.
- The report captures insights from the first roundtable discussions, focusing on challenges and opportunities for micro and small enterprises (MSEs).

Main Themes
- Barriers to Certification: Cost, complexity, and lack of awareness are major hurdles for small businesses.
- Support Needed: Training, simplified processes, and financial assistance could help MSEs adopt certification.
- Value of Certification: Certification builds credibility, improves market access, and strengthens sustainability practices.
- Collaborative Approach: The roundtable emphasizes partnerships between certifiers, governments, and local communities to make certification more inclusive.

Why It Matters
- Micro and small enterprises make up a large share of the tourism sector, especially in developing regions.
- Supporting them in achieving certification ensures that sustainability standards are applied across the entire tourism value chain, not just large corporations.
- This initiative aligns with GSTC’s mission to promote global sustainable tourism practices.

Overall Impression:
The report is a significant step toward democratizing sustainability certification. By addressing the unique needs of small businesses, GSTC is helping ensure that sustainability isn’t just a privilege for big players but a shared responsibility across the industry.