GSTS26 | Ecotourism Australia

Thank you for joining us for the

Global Sustainable Tourism Summit 2026!

The Global Sustainable Tourism Summit is the flagship event on the international sustainable tourism calendar, bringing together sustainability changemakers, innovators and industry leaders for four days of ideas, collaboration and impact. This year’s program explored global best practice at both destination and business level, highlighting how sustainable tourism creates meaningful value for people, place, planet and purpose.

Supported by Summit Partner Tourism Australia and proudly hosted by the City of Gold Coast, the Summit featured a dynamic program of keynote presentations, panel discussions and fireside chats, bringing together leading voices from Australia and around the world to explore the key sustainability challenges and opportunities facing the tourism industry. The event also marked two major milestones for Ecotourism Australia, celebrating 30 years of ECO Certification and 35 years of leadership in sustainable tourism.

VIEW SUMMIT PROGRAM

“Looking back on my camera roll, I realised I had very few photos of my time at Ecotourism Australia’s Global Sustainable Tourism Summit… but the note book is FULL of notes! This is a testament to how much I was fully engaged in the content and insights the speakers had to share… Attendance at the #GSTS2026 was integral for me to remind myself of why we do what we do, refresh my energy and to be updated on the latest changes/improvements in this sector that I can take back to my team.”

“What a pleasure it was to attend this year’s event. It was great to step into new conversations, hear different perspectives, and come away with a list of cool initiatives to implement across our portfolio… Thank you Ecotourism Australia for hosting such a fantastic event.”

“What an awesome couple of days! Feeling inspired, assured and recharged. [The Ecotourism Australia] team did an amazing job at this year’s conference. Gets better and better. The program and the speakers were incredibly insightful.”

“Overall 10/10. The GSTS summit is every two years and to all my humans of tourism, I couldn’t recommend putting this on your agenda now for 2028 highly enough.”

“This Summit reminded me that sustainable tourism is not only about policies, certifications, or environmental targets. It is also about people, collaboration, communication, and the courage to keep learning.”

“My green heart was overflowing with gratitude, hope and positivity after attending the Ecotourism Australia Global Sustainable Tourism Summit… It was such a great few days connecting with people from across the tourism industry who are passionate about protecting the places we love and creating better, more sustainable visitor experiences.”

“Thank you to Ecotourism Australia, Tourism Australia, the City of Gold Coast and everyone involved in delivering such a thoughtful and important event. We left with fresh perspective, valuable conversations and plenty to reflect on for the future.”

2026 Sustainability Initiatives

The Global Sustainable Tourism Summit was designed to do more than talk about sustainability – it was built to demonstrate it in practice. Our goal was to deliver a low-impact event while showcasing best practice that delegates could take back to their own businesses, destinations and decision-making.

Sustainability was embedded across every aspect of GSTS 2026, from venue selection and program design to catering, partnerships and delegate experience. We also recognised that travel is a key contributor to event impact and encouraged attendees to consider lower-carbon options and make conscious choices throughout their journey.

Some of the sustainability initiatives implemented throughout the Summit included:

The Global Sustainable Tourism Summit was held at Mercure Gold Coast Resort, a Sustainable Tourism Certified property recognised by Ecotourism Australia, featuring initiatives such as solar energy, on-site composting, biodiversity programs and reduced waste through its Clean for Green program.
The Cocktail Networking Event took place at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, also Sustainable Tourism Certified, showcasing circular food systems, energy and water efficiency measures, and conservation experiences in partnership with fellow certified operator, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Lanyards were produced using compostable materials. The lanyards themselves were made from bamboo fibre, which is fast-growing, pesticide-free and requires minimal resources to produce. Name badges were made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste and were FSC Certified.
All operators featured in the Destination Immersion Program — Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Southern Cross Tours — held ECO Certification with Ecotourism Australia.
Suppliers and partners were selected based on their commitment to sustainable and ethical practices, including waste reduction and responsible sourcing.
Food and beverage service was delivered using reusable glassware, crockery and cutlery to minimise waste and environmental impact. Delegates were also encouraged to bring reusable cups, with refill stations available throughout the venue.
A digital-first program was delivered, with schedules, updates and event information accessible online, significantly reducing the need for printed materials.
Conference merchandise was intentionally minimised to reduce waste, with delegates encouraged to bring their own notebooks or devices for note-taking throughout the event.
Catering was guided by sustainable food principles, with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced produce.
All dietary requirements were catered for to ensure inclusive and responsible food service. A high proportion of vegetarian and plant-based options were included as standard.
Attendees were encouraged to extend their stay and experience the destination in a more meaningful, low-impact way.
Through these initiatives, GSTS 2026 demonstrated how major events can reduce their environmental footprint while creating meaningful opportunities for learning, collaboration and positive impact.

A tree planted in your name.

At the 2026 Global Sustainable Tourism Summit, Ecotourism Australia partnered with Reforest to plant a tree on behalf of every delegate, collectively helping to remove carbon emissions associated with hosting the event.

Delegates can still claim their tree, see exactly where it is growing, and track its progress through their personal impact dashboard here.

View the GSTS Impact Dashboard Here