Register

Academic
Symposium

Travel Info

Sponsorship

Pre-Event Courses

The GSTC2026 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference will bring together sustainability leaders, tourism professionals, and industry stakeholders from around the world. This year’s conference will take place in Phuket, from 21st to 24th April.

This conference will serve as a platform for insightful discussions, hands-on training, and networking opportunities aimed at advancing sustainability practices in tourism worldwide.

Alongside the main conference program, we’ll be offering a range of Pre-conference Sustainable Tourism Trainings and the 4th edition of the Academic Symposium: both great opportunities to dive deeper into important conversations and practical skills for advancing sustainability in tourism.

Join us for an inspiring and impactful event as we explore innovative solutions for a more sustainable future in travel and tourism!

Early bird registrations are now open!

Themes

The upcoming GSTC2026 Phuket conference will focus on three core themes:

Sustainable
Hospitality

Resilient Cities &
Communities

Carrying Capacity &
Visitor Distribution
Management

Program

Experience an inspiring mix of engaging panel discussions and interactive hands-on workshops, led by a dynamic lineup of renowned international and local sustainable tourism experts. Gain valuable insights, discover innovative solutions, and connect with industry leaders who are shaping the future of responsible travel.

Pre-conference Trainings

We are pleased to offer a range of pre-conference trainings ahead of the GSTC2026 Conference. These sessions provide participants with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge, build practical skills, and gain a stronger understanding of GSTC standards before the main conference begins.

Schedule

Tuesday | 21st April
Academic Symposium (limited seats)
Pre-Conference Meetings (by invitation only)
Welcome Dinner at Blue Elephant Phuket

Wednesday | 22nd April
Conference – Day 1 (including lunch) at Royal Phuket City Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town

Thursday | 23rd April
Conference – Day 2 (including lunch) at Royal Phuket City Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town
Farewell dinner at Kata Thani Beach Resort & Spa

Friday | 24th April
Post-conference tours

What will it look like?

Here are inspiring moments & key takeaways from the previous conference, GSTC2025 Fiji:

Hear from past attendees

I am glad to have participated in the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference in Seville organized by the GSTC. It is inspiring to gather with so many like-minded professionals all united by the same goal: making tourism a vehicle for change toward a more sustainable world. Sustainability is not only a growing trend. It is becoming THE standard.

Francesco Piccolo, CFO & Founder, TripGuru

#GSTC2024Sweden wasn’t just about the future of sustainable travel; It was about the power of the people shaping it.

It was so amazing to listen to and learn from the best in the industry! The keynote speakers delivered valuable insights, knowledge, and best practices.

I had a chance to chat with many tourism professionals from different backgrounds and with different expertise. It’s been truly enlightening and insightful!
Iveta Szeghyová, Head of Product Management, Slovakia Travel

I wanted to thank GSTC for such an incredible and great conference in Stockholm. I really enjoyed the few days, which were insightful and inspiring. I always love the energy during those conferences.

Saskia Ruttkowski, Founder of Tourism with Heart

Since attending the GSTC Conference in Singapore last year, I’ve been inspired by how many of our travel partners are exploring ways to achieve sustainable travel. What excites me even more is the potential to integrate sustainability into business practices, making it an accessible option for everyone. Looking forward to working together and creating meaningful change.

Edison ChenEdison Chen, Vice President, Global Destination Marketing & Public Relations at Trip.com Group

I was delighted to attend the GSTC conference in #Seville, Spain. The Conference was well-organized in all aspects, from the conducted panel discussions and workshops to the last day of the city tour, which I immensely enjoyed.

Over four days, I enjoyed attending sessions, meetings, and workshops by experts, researchers, academics, trainers, consultants, and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry and their experiences in sustainability, and their efforts to apply the principle of sustainability in their work, as well as the tourist destinations in which they work. Such international conferences are an added value to meeting wonderful people (more than 350 participants from 61 countries).

I cannot thank enough the GSTC team for their tremendous efforts in making this unforgettable experience by organizing such a fantastic event and for their choice of the beautiful city of Seville. I look forward to meeting you at the next GSTC Conference in Antalya.

Dr. Ali Akaak, Head of Human Resources Section, University of Technology and Applied Sciences

This was my 3rd GSTC conferences and I have to admit, it’s getting more and more popular among sustainable tourism heroes. Great panelists, great location and superb organization

Simon Louvard, Founder & Manager, Lodg'ing

My favourite moment of GSTC2025 was the interactive group discussion sessions, where participants from different backgrounds came together to explore challenges and solutions. It was incredibly inspiring to hear diverse perspectives and see how sustainability principles are being applied across different regions and sectors. It made the learning experience feel collaborative and grounded in reality.

Anonymous

The best way to end a busy and restarting year like 2022, and not only in the world of tourism, was to attend the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference in Seville. More than 60 nationalities, among the most representative companies in the world of tourism meet to take a look at the state of sustainability in our sector and the main challenges to be accomplished. A very important appointment of confrontation, exchange and learning.

Enrico Ducrot, Founder, Ecoluxury Retreats of the World

Thrilled to have attended #GSTC2024Sweden and witnessed the remarkable efforts of GSTC, Visit Sweden and Tillvaxtverket in orchestrating an extraordinary conference in the heart of Stockholm. With over 500 passionate professionals from 57 diverse countries converging at the stunning Royal Djurgarden, it was truly inspiring.

From insightful panel discussions on sustainability to mandatory reminders on safety exits, it was definitely a memorable and engaging experience. It was also wonderful to finally meet all of our GSTC colleagues in person!

Amir Rosli, Senior Executive, Corporate Development Sentosa

It’s been a great opportunity to participate in such a well-organized, productive event and attend a lot of engaging meetings, inspiring sessions, and panel discussions.

I was also lucky enough to meet wonderful, like-minded people and establish a wide network with international professionals from more than 60 countries which would be great for building new collaborations towards more Sustainability in Travel and Tourism.

Special thanks go to the GSTC team for hosting this event and for their tangible efforts in organization. You’ve proficiently managed to make this experience a remarkable and memorable one!

Ahmed Khaled, Program Manager, Green Star Hotel Programme

I have enjoyed 2 days of learning from my industry colleagues and experts from around the world at the GSTC Asia Pac conference in Korea. A lot of food for thought! I enjoyed this opportunity to learn the many different wonderful initiatives the conference participants are working on with their respective partners in moving towards our shared goal.

Thanks to the GSTC team and also the Korean team for organizing such a fantastic event. I am looking forward to the next Global Sustainable Tourism Conference!

Benjamin Wong, Co-founder and CEO, Tricolage

It was a most enriching experience at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Conference 2024 in Stockholm. The quality of the organization rivaled the inspiration of this city vibrant with culture and innovation in tourism and sustainable mobility. The meetings and discussions I had with inspiring professionals enriched my vision of the tourism of tomorrow, focused on sustainability.

Véronique Desmarais, Destination Development Director, Quebec City

The content and the quality of the presenters were excellent in GSTC2023 Antalya. I left the Summit with rafts of information I am immediately applying to shape WWF’s conservation travel strategies.

Jim Sino 100x100Jim Sano, Vice President for Travel, Tourism and Conservation

Speakers

Adam Piperdy
Founder & Chief Experience Officer, Unearthed Production

Camilla Zedendahl
CEO, Royal Djurgården Society

Eric Ricaurte
Founder & CEO, Greenview

Johnny Gao
Assistant Vice President, Sustainability, The Ascott Limited

Kelly Bricker

Dr. Kelly Bricker
Associate Dean of the HNU-ASU Joint International College (HAIC); GSTC Vice-Chair

Janos Hando
Managing Director, Ladybird Farm Leisure Center

Koko Tang
Founder of Colorful Earth, Co-Founder of Vinetree Tourism and GSTC Board Member

Kingston Khoo
President, Eco-STEPS Malaysia

Siew Kim Beh
Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer / Managing Director Japan and Korea, The Ascott Limited

Grace Xiang

Grace Xiang
Senior Vice President People & Culture AND Sustainability, Accor Greater China

Andrew Leary

Andrew Leary
Principal, Coraggio Group

Stefano Ravelli

Stefano Ravelli
Chair of the GSTC Italy Working Group; GSTC Board Member

Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu
Vice General Manager, Tourism Operations and Development, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA)

Dr. Mihee Kang

Dr. Mihee Kang
Chief Assurance Officer, GSTC

Wendy Li

Wendy Li
National Programs Director, GSTC

GSTC2026 is open to sustainability professionals, tourism industry leaders, government representatives, academics, and anyone passionate about sustainable tourism.

Registration can be completed online through our official website. Early bird discounts are available – be sure to register in advance!

If you need to pay via bank transfer, contact us at events@gstc.org.

Your ticket includes access to all sessions, panel discussions, workshops, networking events, and select meals – including the welcome dinner and farewell dinner. A complimentary post-conference tour is also included. Accommodation is not included but can be booked separately.

We will offer a virtual experience for those unable to attend in person, featuring live-streamed key sessions and interactive discussions.

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