Organised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, some 500 delegates from 55 countries attended GSTC2024 at Equarius Hotel within Resorts World Sentosa.
“This conference allows us to lead sustainability conversations on a global platform with some of the most influential industry leaders in sustainability, to show that sustainable tourism and responsible growth in the hospitality sector can take place in tandem,” said Lee Shi Ruh, president of Resorts World Sentosa.
Keynote speaker Caesar Indra, president of Traveloka, added: “Building a sustainable tourism movement requires commitment from all of us – from governments setting the standards to businesses that innovate and lead.”
The conference themes were driving sustainable urban tourism, sustainable hospitality, integrating sustainability across the value chain and preserving culture, heritage and communities.
Here are some snippets from MICE-related sessions.
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) companies represent 39 per cent of the global economy by market capitalisation; 8,600 have committed to cut emissions. EU regulation mandates sustainability disclosures in 2025. The UK, US, Singapore and Australia are also setting reporting requirements for climate-related disclosures.
The American Express Global Business Travel Meetings & Events 2025 forecast shows between 44 per cent and 48 per cent of corporates have already implemented measures such as minimising disposables, waste management, sustainable meetings and events policies, sustainable F&B and destination choice and air travel minimisation.
At events, 20 per cent of food is wasted, and organisers order 10 per cent more food than needed indicating better planning is necessary.
Singapore EXPO – the city state’s largest purpose-built MICE venue – showed how it tackles sustainability targets through four ‘pillars’: renewable energy, efficient building operations, waste management operations and responsible F&B. Efforts are measured through greenhouse gas accounting, sustainability reporting and benchmarking and certifications.
Key drivers to successful implementation are open collaboration and reciprocal engagement across the MICE ecosystem, and this is a shared responsibility said Singapore EXPO.
Unearthed Productions, Singapore shared creative ways to use event by-products such as pallets and industrial crates turned into furniture and event props; hand-drawn food tags for buffet menus which can be re-used; durable and foldable cardboard furniture; biodegradable bamboo lanyards and digitisation – of registration, LED walls and signage.
