Khiri Travel Earns GSTC Certification
A credibility milestone for sustainable tourism.
As Asia’s travel demand accelerates in 2026, sustainability is shifting from a marketing claim to a verified operating standard. Khiri Travel, a destination management company, has secured certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, confirming alignment with rigorous environmental and social criteria. The certification was officially granted on 18 December 2025 and applies across eight countries where the company operates: Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. In a market increasingly shaped by ethical decision-making, this type of certification functions as a trust signal with measurable accountability.
Why GSTC is treated as a benchmark
GSTC recognition carries weight because it is based on structured criteria and independent assessment rather than self-reported commitments. The information provided notes that the audit was conducted by Control Union, a GSTC-accredited body, and covered office practices, field activities, and interviews with local partners and suppliers. This matters for DMCs in particular, because sustainability depends on how the entire delivery chain performs on the ground, not only on internal policies.
Scaling standards across multiple countries
Achieving a single sustainability certification across several markets is operationally complex. Supply chains, regulatory environments, and partner capabilities can differ significantly from one country to another. The certification therefore indicates that Khiri Travel has built a governance framework strong enough to align partner networks with common sustainability expectations, keeping standards consistent across destinations and services.
Regenerative travel and the 4Cs approach
The certification also highlights Khiri Travel’s alignment with the 4Cs of regenerative travel as framed by The Long Run: Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce. The key distinction is ambition. Regenerative travel is positioned not only as reducing harm but as supporting ecosystems, local communities, and cultural continuity through tourism activity. This resonates with a broader shift in traveler behavior, where ethical considerations increasingly influence both destination choice and operator selection.
Building internal capability through training
Alongside operational validation, the company has emphasized staff education. The material states that in 2025, 14 employees earned the GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism. In practice, training is what turns sustainability from a policy document into daily decision-making, helping teams implement standards consistently across client programs, partner coordination, and on-the-ground execution.
What the certification signals to travelers and the industry
Khiri Travel’s GSTC certification reflects the growing demand for verified sustainable travel, especially in Asia, where travelers increasingly seek eco-conscious and socially responsible options. For travelers, certification provides clearer assurance that products meet defined criteria. For the industry, it offers a case study in how a multi-country DMC can standardize sustainability across a complex partner ecosystem. As regenerative tourism gains momentum, this type of audited credibility is likely to become a stronger differentiator in a crowded market.
As International Investment experts report, GSTC-level certification is becoming a market filter in 2026: it strengthens trust, reduces the reputational risk of “green” claims without proof, and positions sustainability as a measurable competitive edge for travel brands operating across fast-growing Asian destinations.