Tokyu Hotels becomes first Japanese chain to join GSTC

Tokyu Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd. has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), makeing Tokyu Hotels the first hotel chain in Japan to have all its properties become members of the international organisation.

The GSTC is an international non-profit organisation established in 2007 to promote sustainable tourism. It manages the GSTC Criteria, which serve as the global standard for sustainability in travel and tourism. These criteria are used for the international accreditation of certification bodies and as guidelines for sustainable destinations worldwide.

The tourism industry currently faces a transition towards comprehensive sustainability. The industry is expected to pay attention to environmental impact reduction, relationships with local communities, respect for human rights, and transparency in governance. Tokyu Hotels & Resorts considers it essential to improve the quality of hotel operations by using international standards and advanced cases as a foundation for learning.

The company intends to contribute to the sustainability of the entire Japanese tourism industry through collaboration with local communities, municipalities, and partners. The hotel chain already carries out several environmental programmes, such as the Green Coin system, involving making donations based on the number of amenities guests choose not to use during their stay. Additionally, the company operates the Earth Friendly Stay and Green Card, encouraging guests staying for multiple nights to minimise room cleaning and linen changes.

Joining the GSTC is a key step for the company to review and develop its initiatives while engaging with the latest global movement for sustainable tourism. Moving forward, the company plans to use the GSTC international standards to promote internal understanding and human resource development. It also intends to improve the visibility and sophistication of sustainability efforts at each hotel location.