GSTC launches animal welfare report – strengthening 2025 standards
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has launched the Report on the GSTC Roundtable for Animal Welfare in Tourism (R4AWT) on 20 February 2026, setting out measures to embed science‑based animal welfare across its revised 2025 Hotel and Tour Operator Standards. The roundtable brought together conservation organisations, certification bodies, operators, industry associations and the global zoo and aquarium community, with WAZA contributing in a consultative role through Paula Cerdán, Head of Conservation and Animal Welfare.
Outcomes include clearer and aligned criteria for attractions, hotels and tour operators; adoption of outcome‑based approaches such as the Five Domains Model; stronger auditor training and guidance; and terminology designed to reduce ambiguity and greenwashing. The report notes that legal compliance alone is insufficient and recognises credible zoo and aquarium evaluation schemes aligned with WAZA’s 2023 Animal Welfare Goal. Next steps include integrating the strengthened provisions into the GSTC 2025 standards, creating a formal Animal Welfare Glossary, and launching a Responsible Animal Welfare Practices training programme – moves aimed at delivering more consistent and enforceable welfare expectations across tourism.
