The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has introduced two innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainable tourism and supporting the Singapore Green Plan 2030. The first initiative is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Attraction Criteria, which represents the first global standard specifically tailored for attractions. The second initiative is the MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook, a detailed guide designed to improve environmentally friendly practices within the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
These initiatives were announced by Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade & Industry, and Culture, Community and Youth, during the GSTC Global Sustainable Tourism Conference, which Singapore is hosting for the first time. This conference serves as a platform for organizations and individuals dedicated to sustainable travel and tourism to share ideas, promote collaboration, and establish partnerships.
Ms. Ong Huey Hong, STB’s Chief Sustainability Officer, remarked, “These initiatives are crucial for positioning Singapore as a premier sustainable urban destination and showcasing our dedication to sustainability. By creating world-class standards and equipping the industry with practical resources, we are not only advancing our tourism sector but also contributing to global sustainability efforts in tourism.”
The GSTC Attraction Criteria functions as the international benchmark for sustainability in travel and tourism. It is utilized for educational purposes, policy formulation for businesses, and evaluation by organizations and government agencies, as well as serving as a foundation for certification. Developed with the support of STB, the GSTC Attraction Criteria aims to establish a universal sustainability standard for attractions, providing a shared understanding of sustainable practices globally. Attractions can anticipate the opportunity to apply for certification in early 2026, following the onboarding and GSTC accreditation of certification bodies.
Mr. Randy Durband, the CEO of GSTC, stated that the introduction of the GSTC Attraction Criteria represents a significant advancement, resulting from 14 months of collaborative effort and commitment. He expressed gratitude for the contributions made by STB, which have been instrumental in this achievement. He encouraged all stakeholders to seize this opportunity to guide the attractions sector towards a more sustainable future.
In 2023, Singapore took the lead by conducting a national Carbon and Waste Baseline exercise for the MICE industry, positioning itself among the first nations globally to undertake such an initiative. Recognizing the critical role of venues within the MICE ecosystem, this exercise compiled sustainability data from six dedicated MICE venues in Singapore, concentrating on energy, water, and waste metrics. The resulting baseline offers a reliable set of emissions data that can be tracked annually, enabling STB and the industry to enhance their management of waste and carbon emissions.
The findings indicate that the average carbon emissions associated with MICE venues per attendee is 14.13 kg of carbon dioxide, with energy consumption constituting 94% of these emissions. Utilizing the insights derived from this exercise, STB has developed the MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook, aimed at assisting MICE venues in managing their carbon emissions. This Playbook provides actionable recommendations for improving energy efficiency, waste management, and water conservation, aligning with the venues’ sustainability goals.
Additionally, the Playbook includes a decarbonization framework, showcases best practices from both local and international purpose-built MICE venues, and consolidates government support schemes to promote decarbonization across Singapore’s MICE venues.
In May of this year, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) introduced its Legacy Toolkit, aimed at helping meeting planners and business event organizers gain a deeper understanding of legacy and impact, while also guiding them in creating their own initiatives.
Utilizing this toolkit, STB will implement a pilot incentive program during the GSTC Global Sustainable Tourism Conference in Singapore. To further demonstrate STB’s dedication to minimizing carbon emissions at business events, attendees at the GSTC Conference are encouraged to offset the carbon emissions resulting from their air travel by acquiring high-quality carbon credits through a reputable offset project.
Participants who engage in this initiative will receive a pre-loaded value card, which can be utilized for public transportation in Singapore. This program seeks to raise awareness regarding the carbon emissions associated with air travel and to motivate delegates to take responsibility for their own emissions, ultimately promoting a more environmentally friendly and sustainable experience throughout their journey.
