Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
Maria Liontaki is currently the Accreditation Manager at Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), where Maria oversees the evaluation of sustainable tourism certification programs and facilitates the accreditation process. Maria has a strong background in accreditation and certification processes, with previous experience in lead auditing and training. Maria also has experience in certification management systems, staff training, and as an assessor for accreditation of Certification Bodies. Prior to their current role, Maria worked as a Polymers Laboratory Technician and holds a Master of Business Administration and an Engineer's Degree in Chemical Engineering.
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Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation. The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s role in providing assurance for impartiality and competence of Certification Programs that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; but it provides assurance for those that do. The GSTC is an independent and neutral organization, legally registered in the USA as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO’s, national and provincial governments, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.