The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Private Course for Gifu Prefecture took place from the 3rd to the 5th of December 2025 in Gifu City, Japan, bringing together 16 participants aiming to learn and integrate sustainability principles into tourism planning, management, and development.
Delivered by GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, CEO of Daisetsuzan Experience, it focused on expanding participants’ knowledge of the GSTC Standards and their practical application within destination and tourism management contexts, encouraging participants to reflect on current practices and identify opportunities to strengthen sustainability performance at the destination level.
The group also did a site visit as a key learning component, offering participants the opportunity to observe how sustainability principles can be applied in real-world settings. Visits included Nagaragawa Department Store CASA Stella, focusing on traditional crafts, and the Nagaragawa shopping street. These experiences highlighted the role of local businesses, cultural heritage, and community engagement in supporting sustainable tourism development.
Overall, the training program provided participants with a comprehensive learning experience that connected global sustainability standards with local context. By combining theoretical knowledge with place-based learning, the course supported a deeper understanding of how sustainable tourism can contribute to economic vitality, cultural preservation, and community well-being in Gifu Prefecture.
“Along the Nagaragawa River in Gifu City, there is a rich cultural heritage, including ukai fishing (cormorant fishing), Japanese paper umbrella, and lantern craftsmanship. In this GSTC class, a key focus was on how these skills and knowledge can be passed on to younger generations to sustain local culture. Participants learned about positive current initiatives, such as apprenticeship-style learning programs for Japanese paper umbrella craftsmen. We particularly appreciated how the class linked sustainability principles with practical, real-world efforts to conserve living cultural heritage.” Said Mr. Arai.
If you are interested in deepening your understanding of sustainable tourism and learning how to apply the GSTC Standards in practice, upcoming GSTC Sustainable Tourism Courses are held regularly around the world and online, open to professionals from all sectors of the tourism industry. For more information about future training opportunities, please click here.
