Singapore Tourism Board presents latest sustainability initiatives
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) just lately unveiled two pioneering initiatives to bolster sustainable tourism and assist the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
The first is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Attraction Criteria, the world’s first international normal particularly designed for sights; whereas the second is the MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook, a complete information to enhancing inexperienced practices within the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) trade.
These had been introduced by minister of state for commerce & trade, tradition, group, and youth Alvin Tan on the just lately concluded GSTC Global Sustainable Tourism Conference on 14th November.
This was the first time Singapore is internet hosting the occasion, which is a platform for organisations and people enthusiastic about sustainable journey and tourism to trade concepts, foster collaboration and forge partnerships.
According to STB chief sustainability officer Ong Huey Hong: “These initiatives are pivotal in positioning Singapore as a leading sustainable urban destination and demonstrating our commitment to sustainability. By developing world-class standards and providing the industry with practical tools, we are not only enhancing our own tourism sector but also contributing to global sustainability efforts in tourism.”
What are the parameters of the GSTC Attraction Criteria?
The GSTC Criteria serves as the worldwide normal for sustainability in journey and tourism, and is used for training and awareness-raising, coverage making for companies, organisations, and authorities companies’ measurement and analysis, and as a foundation for certification.
Developed with assist from STB, the GSTC Attraction Criteria goals to function the worldwide sustainability normal for sights and offers a typical understanding of sustainable practices for sights worldwide. This is the first-ever international normal particularly designed for sights. Attractions can anticipate to use for the certification in early 2026, after the onboarding and GSTC accreditation of certification our bodies in 2025.
As a part of the event of the GSTC Attraction Criteria, STB, the Association of Singapore Attractions (ASA) and different worldwide organisations joined the GSTC’s Attraction Criteria Advisory Group. The group supplied suggestions and session in the course of the improvement of the Criteria. Additionally, professionals and practitioners within the sights trade, in addition to members of the general public, had been concerned in shaping these standards in the course of the improvement course of.
The GSTC Attraction Criteria is the latest set of Criteria following these developed for accommodations and tour operators, locations and MICE.
According to GSTC CEO Randy Durband stated: “The GSTC Attraction Criteria, is the culmination of 14 months of collaboration and dedication. We deeply appreciate the contributions of STB, who has made this possible. Together, let’s embrace this opportunity to lead the attractions sector towards a more sustainable path.”
The playbook as a information to extra sustainable MICE venues
In 2023, Singapore pioneered a nationwide MICE Industry Carbon and Waste Baseline train, making it one of many first nations on this planet to take action.
As venues are a significant a part of the MICE ecosystem, the train was an aggregated baseline of sustainability knowledge factors from Singapore’s six purpose-built MICE venues, specializing in vitality, water and waste.
The baseline offers a constant set of emissions knowledge that may be monitored yearly, permitting STB and the trade to raised examine and enhance waste and carbon emissions administration.
Key findings reveal that the typical MICE venue-related carbon emissions per attendee stands at 14.13kg carbon dioxide, with vitality consumption accounting for 94 p.c of MICE venue-related emissions.
With the insights gained from this train, STB developed the MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook, which might help MICE venues handle their carbon emissions.
The Playbook is designed to supply sensible suggestions for MICE venues to boost their vitality effectivity, waste administration, and water conservation efforts, in keeping with advancing their sustainability ambitions.
The doc encompasses a decarbonisation framework, finest practices from purpose-built MICE venues and worldwide counterparts, and a consolidation of whole-of-government assist schemes to drive decarbonisation throughout Singapore’s MICE venues.