Roi Ariel
General Manager, Global Sustainability Tourism (GSTC)
Roi Ariel has been focusing on responsible travel and sustainable tourism over the past decade. In his role as the General Manager of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Roi manages GSTC's memberships, communications, events and operations. This includes working closely with key governmental agencies and influential companies to mainstream and promote adherence to sustainability standards in travel and tourism. He previously worked with UN-ESCAP researching sustainable development and green growth in Southeast Asia, and on sustainability issues with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). He also served as the Green Economy Initiative Advisor for EcoPeace Middle East in Israel, as well as sustainable tourism advisor in destinations around the world including Mainland China, Madagascar, and Taiwan. He sits on a number of advisory panels and often speaks at conferences, universities, and webinars. Roi holds a master degree in Applied Economic and Social Development from the National Chengchi University in Taipei, and a bachelor degree in International Relations and Comparative Religion from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
About 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 Accreditation for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators/transport providers, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides an accreditation program to accredit Certification Bodies.