When done right, sustainable tourism development can be an effective tool for stimulating economic growth, alleviating poverty, conserving biodiversity and environmental resources, and creating employment opportunities for local communities. As a result, many international development organizations are increasingly turning to tourism to address global development issues. Tourism allows for the implementation of programs focused on improving the quality of life for citizens in the developing world without compromising the future well-being of the people or the planet.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has embraced tourism as a change agent over the last several years by supporting over 100 projects in 72 countries. Through USAID, the GSTA unites the efforts of a broad circle of partners to implement the principles and fulfill the potential of sustainable tourism development.

The purpose of the GSTA is: 

1. To advance the state-of-the-practice in sustainable tourism development and allied fields; and
2. To assist USAID Missions and other operating units to design and implement innovative, integrated, and market-based tourism approaches that will foster sustainable futures for individuals, communities, and societies in USAID presence countries.