The demands of the development of modern tourism have shifted the focus of destination management from simply pursuing the quantity of tourist visits to the quality of sustainable regional governance.
At the international and national level, the implementation 14 GSTC TASK (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) is now the gold standard for every regional manager, destination manager, and tourism agency management in ensuring tourism areas remain sustainable, competitive, and have a positive impact on local communities.
For many tourism area managers in Indonesia, we understand the international framework developed by GSTC.Global Sustainable Tourism Council) often feels abstract or too technical.
In fact, these 14 main tasks are designed systematically as a reference for daily practical work to maintain a balance between organizational aspects, environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and socio-economic prosperity..
This article is present as a comprehensive guide for those of you who want to understand the details of 14 GSTC tasks, how to implement them in destination governance in Indonesia, and their relationship with professional competency qualification standards Destination Manager Licensed BNSP.
Also read: Destination Manager Certification / BNSP Area Manager
What are the 14 GSTC tasks and why is it important for destination governance?
14 GSTC TASK is a summary of the Competency Framework for Sustainable Tourism Destinations Adapted from Criteria Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC-D) to measure the managerial function of area managers in maintaining the balance of organizational, socio-economic, cultural and environmental aspects.
In Indonesia, the framework of these 14 tasks has been aligned into the Indonesian National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI) and is the main reference in the Occupational Certification Scheme. Destination Manager / Area Managers tested by the BNSP-licensed Professional Certification Institute (LSP), such as LSP Wisata Jana Dharma Indonesia.
Broadly speaking, 14 GSTC tasks integrate the 4 main pillars of sustainability into the destination operational functions:
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sustainable governance (Governance): Establishing a Regional Management Structure (DMO), establishing a long-term strategy, managing risk, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
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socio-economic sustainability (Socio-Economic): Maximizing the absorption of local workers, supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and preventing the negative impacts of tourism on the lives of local people.
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cultural sustainability (cultural): Protecting cultural heritage assets, local traditions, and ensuring tourist interaction does not damage the identity and heritage of the community.
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environmental sustainability (Environmental): Managing energy consumption, waste and waste management, biodiversity protection, and regulating capacity of visitsVisitor Management).
The application of this standard is very crucial so that tourist areas do not experience environmental degradation (Overtourism), have long-term competitiveness, and meet globally recognized destination governance criteria.
Full details of 14 GSTC tasks in managing tourism areas
To ground the GSTC-D framework (GSTC Destination Criteria) Become an operational step that is easily understood by the destination manager, here are the details of the 14 main tasks that must be carried out by a person Destination Manager or area manager:
1. Establish and manage destination management organizations (DMO)
Area managers must ensure the existence of a destination governance agency (Destination Management Organization) which is inclusive, has clear leadership, and involves stakeholders from elements of government, private sector, academics, and local communities.
2. Formulate sustainable destination strategies and action plans
Develop a long-term planning document for tourism areas that contain a vision of sustainability, situation analysis, performance indicator targets, and measurable allocation of resources.
3. Monitoring and evaluating the impact of tourism
Develop a periodic monitoring system to measure the economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts of tourism activities in the region..
4. Manage climate change adaptation and mitigation
Implementing environmentally friendly operational policies, such as reducing carbon emissions, energy efficiency, and adaptation to the risks of climate change in destinations.
5. Implementing area risk management and safety
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for visitor safety, disaster emergency response, regional security, and tourism crisis management.
6. Manage the protection of cultural heritage and community assets
Ensuring historical sites, local traditions, and cultural arts are protected from the effects of excessive commercialization, and respect for the intellectual property rights of local communities.
7. Manage the protection of the physical environment and biodiversity
Maintaining natural ecosystems, flora, fauna, endemic, and conservation areas through policies to limit access and physical preservation of the area.
8. Manage visitor management (Visitor Management)
Set Carrying Capacity (environmental carrying capacity) and the flow of tourist movement to prevent congestion, accumulation of visitors, and damage to public facilities.
9. Maximizing economic benefits for local communities
Encourage local supply chain integration, MSME product involvement, local tour guides, and create fair employment for local residents.
10. Developing cross-sectoral partnerships (Hexahelix)
Establish active collaboration between regional managers, local governments, industry associations, educational institutions, media, and local communities.
11. Provide accessibility and inclusive facilities
Ensuring that tourist destinations are accessible safely and comfortably by all groups of visitors, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and children.
12. Manage the information and education system of tourists
Providing interpretation boards, destination information centers, and ethical code guidelines for tourists to build awareness of responsibly visiting.
13. Supervise regional product and service quality standards
Carry out quality control on public cleanliness, availability of clean water, sanitation facilities, and the reliability of destination infrastructure.
14. Carrying out sustainable marketing and promotion
Develop a tourism marketing strategy that provides accurate, honest information, prioritizes local identity, and invites tourists to support efforts to preserve the area.
Operational Matrix and Physical Proof 14 GSTC Tasks
As a practical illustration for area managers in preparing administrative documents and work portfolios, the following is a matrix of linkages between 14 GSTC tasks and types of physical evidence in the field.:
| No | GSTC’s Scope of Duties | examples of physical evidence of operations in the field |
| 1 | DMO & Organization | decree for area management, organizational structure, job description |
| 2 | Destination action plan | Regional Master Plan Documents, Annual Work Plan |
| 3 | Impact Monitoring | Visit data report, satisfaction survey & economic impact |
| 4 | Climate Change Mitigation | energy saving policy, reforestation program |
| 5 | Risk Management & Safety | Emergency Response SOP, Evacuation Line, First Aid Facilities |
| 6 | cultural heritage protection | Inventory of cultural assets, site protection regulations |
| 7 | environmental protection | waste treatment facilities, nature conservation areas |
| 8 | Visitor Management | Calculation Document carrying capacity, Ticket Quota SOP |
| 9 | Local economic benefits | data on local MSME involvement, community training programs |
| 10 | Cross-sectoral partnership | Cooperation Documents (MoU/PKS) with Regional Partners |
| 11 | Inclusive facilities | Disability Friendly Track, Special Positioned RAM, Inclusive Toilet |
| 12 | information & Education | Educational interpretation board, tourist code of ethics |
| 13 | service quality control | Daily hygiene checklist, sanitation standards |
| 14 | Sustainable Marketing | Official Promotional Media, Responsible Tourism Educational Content |
Why do destination managers have to understand GSTC standards?
Application 14 GSTC TASK Not just the fulfillment of regulatory formalities, but the basic strategy to maintain the selling value of the destination in the long term. Area managers who adopt the GSTC framework will obtain various strategic advantages, including::
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Preventing ecosystem and cultural damage: Arrangement Carrying Capacity and asset protection ensures the tourist area remains attractive and beautiful without sacrificing the preservation of nature and local cultural identity.
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increase tourist confidence & Business Partners: Destinations that are managed with measurable sustainability standards tend to be more in demand by quality travelers.Responsible tourists) and green tourism investors.
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Facilitate access to partnerships and grant programs: Many government agencies and international organizations require the GSTC sustainability indicator as the main criterion for receiving destination development assistance programs..
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Memperkuat Kualifikasi Profesional Pengelola: The mastery of these 14 tasks is an important capital for area managers to prove their work competence credible.
Relevance of 14 GSTC Tasks with BNSP Destination Manager Certification
In Indonesia, recognition of a person’s ability to manage sustainable tourism areas is realized through a work competency certification scheme. This GSTC is aligned directly into the assessment instrument on Destination Manager Occupational Certification Scheme/Regional Manager issued by the National Competency Certification Agency (BNSP) through the licensed Professional Certification Agency (LSP), such as Jana Dharma Indonesia Tourism LSP.
When taking the competency test, a candidate Destination Manager will be asked to prove that he has or is able to carry out the tasks of this GSTC standard-based area management.
The evidence is presented in the form of a work portfolio document (APL-02 form) which contains physical operational evidence such as action plans, crisis SOPs, to reports Visitor Management.
Manage your destination credible with tourism consultants
Mastery 14 GSTC TASK It is a fundamental step for every area manager to ensure that the destinations managed are not only crowded, but also sustainable and provide long-term benefits for local communities.
If you want to strengthen the regional governance system, compile a destination governance document, or need assistance for competency certification readiness Destination Manager For your management team, the Expert Team at ConsultantPariwisata.com ready to help.
