Destination Stewardship Course

The GSTC Destination Stewardship Course is specifically designed for destination managers, tourism boards, and policymakers, providing practical guidance on sustainable destination management. This self-paced course includes an in-depth exploration of the GSTC Destination Standard, valuable tools and resources, and real-world case studies that illustrate how to apply sustainability best practices at the destination level effectively.

This course is for you, if you …

Are responsible for managing or developing tourism at a destination level and want to enhance sustainability performance.
Are looking for real-world examples and actionable strategies to improve destination stewardship.
Look for a flexible and convenient learning option that fits your busy schedule.
Wish to systematically implement sustainable destination management practices by aligning with the GSTC Destination Standard.

What does the course cover?

The training follows the GSTC Destination Standard, providing best practices for sustainable destination management.

Lessons covering each section of the GSTC Destination Standard, along with global case studies.
Expert insights and resources introduce essential solutions to current destination-level challenges and trends.
Examples provided by industry practitioners, sharing insights based on real-life experiences.
Self-assessment tools are available to help you practice applying the Standard to your own situations.

GSTC Trainer

Michelle Janke

Michelle Janke is an executive leader with over 20 years of experience driving growth and strategic initiatives across industries, including travel and tourism, retail, non-profits, and government.

A champion of sustainability, she has developed innovative practices for integrating sustainable principles into the travel and tourism sector at all levels. Her expertise in building consensus and managing organizational change has established her as a trusted advisor and catalyst for growth.

A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Michelle frequently shares insights on industry trends, sustainability, and organizational development. As Managing Partner at Coraggio Group, she led the firm to significant growth, culminating in its sale to Miles Partnership in 2021. Her career includes collaborations with organizations such as Los Angeles Tourism, Travel Oregon, and Brand USA.

Michelle’s experience spans attraction marketing at Walt Disney Attractions and strategy at McKinsey & Company, equipping her to identify and apply emerging trends strategically. She holds an MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and is certified in Sustainable Tourism by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Registration Details:

Non-Member

$95⁰⁰per person

GSTC Member

$75⁰⁰per person

Group Rate (10+) *

$70⁰⁰per person

Group Rate (30+) *

65⁰⁰per person

* Group Rates are available only to current GSTC Organization Members. The rate is according to the group size at the time of registration.

** If you’re interested in signing up as a group of 50 or more participants, please see the private group option for your reference, or contact us to discuss options for your group.

Interested in Private Group Options?

The GSTC Destination Stewardship Course can be delivered in customized formats for larger groups of DMOs, government agencies, and destination-level stakeholders seeking to train their staff members and stakeholders.

The customization options include:

- Self-study Private Course (recommended group size: 50+): This option is designed to help your organization achieve its goal of enhancing sustainability awareness among team members by providing a foundational understanding of the sustainability concepts and the GSTC Destination Standard. This offer group-specific access to the self-study course, which can be co-branded and tailored to your specific focus areas. Optional add-ons include a group-wide introductory webinar, co-developed and delivered with the GSTC, and additional content, such as resources and examples, that address the learning needs of the group.
- Facilitated Online Private Course (recommended group size: 20-50): This is a 2-week online course consisting of four trainer-led sessions (90 mins/session). It covers the key aspects of the GSTC Destination Standard along with the global cases. It offers a customized approach to address sustainability challenges and soultions relevant to your group’s context. This course includes guided interactive discussions and facilitated exercises focused on practical sustainability solutions. Delivery methods can be customized to fit your group’s needs regarding the duration (either condensed over a short period or spread out over a longer time) and format (such as scheduled live sessions, a mix of live and recorded content, etc.).
- Onsite Private Course (recommended group size: 20-50): It is 2.5 days onsite course led by a GSTC-authorized trainer. In addition to covering the core aspects of the GSTC Destination Standard, this course allows for the examination of sustainability challenges and solutions specific to your group’s context. It includes guided interactive discussions and facilitated exercises, emphasizing practical sustainability solutions. Similar to the online course, delivery methods can be customized to meet your group’s preferences in terms of schedule and format. A field visit option can also be provided.

To discuss private group options for your organization, please contact us at training@gstc.org