GSTC Certified
Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Certified June 2026 | First in Ubud
Responsible Luxury, Globally Recognised
Viceroy Bali is among the first properties in Ubud to earn GSTC Certification, a globally recognised benchmark for sustainable travel and tourism.
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION
What is GSTC Certification?
A globally recognised framework that measures and improves sustainability performance across the tourism industry.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council establishes and manages the world’s standards for sustainable travel and tourism. Its certification provides a rigorous, independent framework that evaluates properties across key areas of responsible tourism.
The assessment conducted by Control Union, a GSTC-accredited certification body, included documentation reviews, interviews, supplier assessments, and on-site audits. The evaluation recognised Viceroy Bali’s performance across the four pillars of GSTC Certification.
Sustainable Management
GSTC evaluates how sustainability is embedded within an organisation’s governance, policies, and daily operations. At Viceroy Bali, sustainability is supported by clear policies, measurable objectives, dedicated sustainability representatives within each department, weekly sustainability meetings, and ongoing team training. Regular internal and external audits help ensure compliance with environmental, labour, and workplace safety standards and drive continuous improvement across the resort. Sustainability has been integrated into the resort’s development since its inception and remains a guiding principle in both strategic planning and daily operations today.
Socioeconomic Benefits
A key pillar of GSTC Certification is ensuring tourism creates meaningful value for local communities. At Viceroy Bali, 37% of team members come from the local village of Petulu, with the remainder from neighbouring communities. Beyond employment, the resort supports local schools, partners with regional suppliers and craftsmen, and showcases handcrafted products by Balinese artisans in our boutique. Guests are also invited to engage with local culture through experiences that support local practitioners and traditions, helping generate lasting benefits for the surrounding community.
Cultural Heritage
Protecting and celebrating local heritage forms an important part of the GSTC framework. At Viceroy Bali, respect for Balinese traditions is woven into everyday life. Team members observe a longstanding tradition of wearing Balinese dress every Thursday, while Hindu traditions and daily rituals continue to shape life throughout the resort. We also support local religious observances, temple ceremonies, and Balinese traditions that continue to shape everyday life in Ubud. Traditional alang-alang roofs and handcrafted Balinese carvings throughout the resort further reflect the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Environmental Responsibility
Environmental stewardship is a cornerstone of responsible tourism. Since opening in 2005, Viceroy Bali has been designed to harmonise with its natural surroundings, preserving existing vegetation and natural waterways while carefully integrating the resort into the landscape of the Valley of the Kings. This commitment is reflected in an 18-step organic wastewater treatment system that returns clean water to the local river, an 80-metre mountain spring supplying drinkable tap water throughout the property, the use of solar energy to support daily operations, an organic kitchen garden, and a zero-single-use-plastic policy designed to minimise waste and protect the local environment.
THE MILESTONE IN NUMBERS
Viceroy Bali in Perspective
20+
Years of Sustainable Hospitality in Ubud
97%
Local Employees
37%
Team Members from the Village of Petulu
1st
GSTC Certified Property in Ubud
GENERAL MANAGER’S NOTE
“Being the first in Ubud to obtain this certification reinforces our commitment to responsible luxury and inspires us to continue improving for the benefit of our guests, our team, and future generations.”
Patrick Farrell
General Manager, Viceroy Bali
Caring for Bali, Today and Tomorrow
Discover our sustainability initiatives, achievements, and ongoing commitments to responsible luxury, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community wellbeing.
