GSTC Auditor Training in Thailand

Date: April 18-20, 2026

Location: Phuket, Thailand

Venue: Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town Hotel

Language: English

Scope: GSTC Hotel Standard

IMPORTANT UPDATE: This training will focus on the revised Hotel Standard (v4 – 2025). Participants are expected to review preparatory materials prior to the training and to allocate time after the training for the written exam.

*GSTC Auditor Training involves 3-days training class followed by two tests.

In the GSTC Auditor Training Class, the GSTC Hotel Standard will be explained with the process of audit and key issues auditors need to be aware of.

ABOUT THE COURSE

GSTC Auditor Training

Certification Bodies will need to conform to the current version of the GSTC Accreditation Manual and have auditors and certification decision-makers that have specific knowledge of sustainable tourism and the GSTC Standards.

To confirm auditors and certification decision-makers have the needed specific knowledge, they are required to attend an auditor training approved by the GSTC and satisfactory pass of an examination. This requirement cannot be initiated until after the Certification Body has formally opened their application for accreditation.

Note: The GSTC Auditor Training is designed to teach experienced auditors how to audit to the GSTC Standard. However, it is open to the public, and there are no prerequisites in order to participate in the training.

Please be aware that completion of the auditor training does not automatically qualify one as an GSTC Auditor. Auditors should satisfy all the requirements underlined in the GSTC Accreditation Manual, including educational background, audit experiences, and other auditor training qualification. The qualification for the GSTC Auditor Training is just one of them.

EXAM & CERTIFICATE

GSTC Certificate of Achievement

By completing the GSTC Auditor Training class, you will meet the training requirement towards earning the GSTC Certificate of Achievement for Auditor Training.

For the GSTC Certificate of Achievement, two kind of tests are required.

• Written Exam: Auditors who intend to work for the GSTC-Accredited CB may take and pass the GSTC Auditor Exam (passing score: 85%). The exam will be conducted online, and participants will have 7 days to complete the exam after the training class.
• Field Performance Test: Auditors will conduct individual on-site mock audit on a hotel and submit the report. Upon achieving the passing score of 75%, GSTC Certificate of Achievement will be granted.

LEAD TRAINERS

Mustafa Söğüt  

Mustafa Söğüt is the Head of Accreditation Compliance Assessment at GSTC. His role at GSTC is to support the execution of accreditation activities, Turkiye’s Sustainable Tourism Program, and assisting Auditor Training.

With a decade of experience as a Sustainable Tourism Auditor, Mustafa has gained extensive firsthand knowledge of onsite sustainability practices and initiatives.

Mustafa holds a Master’s degree in Tourism Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Public Relations. His certifications include GSTC Hotel Auditor, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, Pedagogical Education, and Health and Safety Expertise. Mustafa is currently based in Antalya, Türkiye.

Dr. So Young Lee  

Dr. So Young Lee is an evaluation expert and researcher with a core passion for understanding human-environment interactions. Her career is dedicated to developing and applying robust evaluation methodologies to drive sustainable management and stakeholder innovation across diverse global settings. Her academic journey established a deep expertise in social and environmental metrics. Her Master’s research provided foundational insights into local community perceptions of protected areas and World Heritage Sites, demonstrating the critical link between social acceptance and effective conservation. This work naturally progressed to a specialization in qualitative assessments within development projects in Korea and Spain. In her Ph.D. research, titled Enhancing Interactive Innovation in the Rural Areas of Europe through Evaluation: Quantitative Network Analysis and Qualitative Self-Evaluation Tools the research focused on the practical application of cutting-edge evaluation methods—combining quantitative network analysis with qualitative self-evaluation—to empower stakeholders to collaboratively generate innovative solutions within their programs. Currently, Dr. Lee leverages her academic rigor and practical application at the GSTC as Senior Assurance Manager, developing, overseeing and researching on sustainability systems.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Course Registration Fees

• US$ 980
• The registration deadline is April 12, 2026.

What’s Included

• Lunch and two coffee breaks for each day.
• Grading fee for the written exam and the mock-audit performance evaluation.
• Training guidance and materials.

Please note: The 2nd trial of the written exam and accommodation during the training is NOT included in the above course registration fee.