The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), with support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), is developing a new Criteria for MICE and Attractions, which will serve as the global sustainability standards for both industries.

The GSTC MICE Criteria will be developed with the input of relevant stakeholders from the MICE industry and will provide clear sustainability outcomes that the standard seeks to achieve.

Following Singapore’s recent certification as a sustainable destination based on the GSTC’s Destination Criteria, STB is demonstrating its commitment by bringing together Singapore’s tourism associations and stakeholders to contribute to GSTC’s global efforts in driving sustainable tourism.

“STB is pleased to support GSTC in the development of its industry criteria for MICE and attractions. Such internationally-recognised standards are important, as they help destinations and tourism businesses understand if their sustainability efforts are on the right track,” STB chief executive Keith Tan said.

“We look forward to working closely with GSTC and our industry associations to provide a Singapore perspective and help the tourism sector contribute to a greener world.”

STB, together with Singapore’s industry associations, the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS) and the Association of Singapore Attractions (ASA), will provide feedback, consultation, and industry expertise for the draft Criteria, as well as to encourage industry adoption of the developed Criteria when ready.

The development of the Criteria is vital to meet the increasing demand for sustainable practices in the tourism sector as more business travellers seek sustainable options. It can also guide the industry to make supply chains more sustainable and increase residents’ involvement in local events and exhibitions.

The application of the Criteria has long-term impact, as its continued use can significantly reduce negative environmental impacts, preserve local cultures and cuisines, and support sustainable consumption and production patterns.

“The development of GSTC MICE Criteria will provide a globally-created and globally-applicable set of sustainability standards that serves as a platform for universal approaches to measurement, monitoring, reporting, and various forms of external verification needed to drive positive impacts from good practices,” GSTC chief executive officer Randy Durband said.

The GSTC has also formed a MICE Criteria Development Advisory Group, which comprises up to ten organisations from both the public and private sectors with established track record in hosting MICE events. The main objective of this group is to offer expert opinions and comments to the GSTC Technical Team while GSTC will retain full oversight and control of the Criteria development process. The Advisory Group will also encourage the MICE industry to take part in the Public Consultation and Feasibility Assessment phases of the Criteria Development process.

Later this year, ​​GSTC will begin developing another set of criteria, the GSTC Attraction Criteria, to enhance the common language of sustainability in attractions. The development of the GSTC Attraction Criteria comes also with the support of the STB, and a specific plan such as TOR will be shared later this year.