Singapore has been certified as a sustainable destination based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)’s Destination Criteria, after being the first to apply the certification process on a country level. This reflects Singapore’s efforts and commitment in becoming a sustainable urban destination. Singapore’s achievement reflects the commitment towards the Singapore Green Plan 2030, and is also in line with the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) Tourism Sustainability Strategy.
The Tourism Sustainability Strategy was launched in 2022 and sets out actionable strategies for the tourism industry so that Singapore can become a sustainable urban destination. Singapore’s certification follows similar achievements by key tourism partners such as Sentosa Development Corporation, Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands Singapore, which had also achieved certification based on the relevant GSTC Criteria. Singapore is implementing multi-year strategies and action plans on sustainable management, such as the Singapore Green Plan 2030.
Announced in 2021, the Green Plan charts Singapore’s ambitions and targets over the next ten years, strengthens its commitments under the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Paris Agreement, and positions the country to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Another example is the Tourism Sustainability Strategy, which was developed in line with the Green Plan. The strategy charts three strategic focus areas to steward the tourism industry’s sustainability efforts – becoming a sustainable urban destination, building a sustainable tourism sector, and showcasing Singapore as a sustainable urban destination.
For example, STB worked closely with industry associations to co-develop Hotel and MICE Sustainability Roadmaps which set out clear targets for tourism businessesSingapore also demonstrated efforts to maximise the social and economic benefits of tourism for locals. These include supporting and spotlighting local entrepreneurs, providing a safe and secure working environment, a user-friendly built environment, as well as supporting career opportunities and training in tourism. STB’s Tourism Sustainability Programme (TSP) also supports tourism businesses across all stages of their sustainability journey – from building workforce capabilities, to leveraging technology and test-bedding sustainable solutions.
On the jobs front, STB’s Tourism Careers Hub was established in January 2022 to facilitate job matching for locals, upskill workers to meet evolving demands, and drive business transformation efforts. Singapore has various initiatives to conserve and enhance its tangible and intangible heritage. For example, there are legislation and conservation guidelines to protect more than 7,200 conserved buildings, entire historical districts, and national monuments.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, making it the first and only tropical botanic gardens in Asia on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Hawker Culture in Singapore was also successfully inscribed as Singapore's first element on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 16 Dec 2020. To celebrate Singapore’s heritage, STB supports visitor experiences that showcase the country’s diverse cultures such as annual light-ups and celebrations in cultural precincts.
These include the Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration, Deepavali celebrations, and the Hari Raya Light-Up. Singapore has implemented a range of measures to enhance greenery, strengthen ecological connectivity between green spaces, and conserve its biodiversity. For example, the OneMillionTrees movement, launched in 2020, aims to plant one million additional trees across Singapore by 2030 with the help of the community, and the target is on its way to being met.
The country is also charting concrete targets and demonstrating real-world sustainability applications to manage its scarce resources. Singapore enhanced its international climate commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. It has committed to green4 80% of buildings by Gross Floor Area by 2030 and has already done so for over half of its buildings to date.
Tourism products and experiences have also been built with sustainability in mind. For example, many Singapore hotels are incorporating sustainable features into their design, with some winning awards for their eco-friendly efforts. In 2020, the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at the Marina Bay Sands became the first carbon-neutral MICE venue in Singapore.
Gardens by the Bay, which houses over 1. 5 million plants, is a living embodiment of our ‘City in Nature’ vision. Tour operators are also offering sustainability-focused tours showcasing Singapore’s rich biodiversity, its journey with water, power, waste management, and local culture.
As at the end of 2024 Q2, there are 58 hotels that achieved accredited certification by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies. Several Singapore hospitality groups obtained accredited certification for all their hotels within Singapore, and are looking to extend this success to their overseas properties. This includes notable hospitality groups like Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Far East Hospitality, and Resort World at Sentosa.
The Ascott Limited gained the GSTC-Committed status and aims to have 100% of its global portfolio of properties certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body where applicable*. Major convention centers like Marina Bay Sands, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, and Singapore EXPO have implemented green technologies including solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, LED lighting, and comprehensive recycling programs. The destination also offers incentives through the Business Events in Singapore (BEIS) grant for event organizers who incorporate sustainable elements, supports the use of public transportation with its efficient MRT system, and promotes locally-sourced catering to reduce food miles.
Additionally, Singapore's "Green Plan 2030" and its commitment to becoming a zero-waste nation further reinforces the destination's dedication to making business events environmentally responsible while maintaining world-class standards. \STB maintains a list of sustainably certified hotels and suppliers on its website.