GSTC CEO Randy Durband, as a member of the TOURISE Advisory Board, was present at TOURISE’s inaugural Global Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, held from November 11 to 13, 2025. Where governments, business leaders, investors, tourism professionals, and technology experts gathered to deliver and discuss high-impact initiatives aimed at building a more sustainable, equitable, [...]
- Pomorskie Tourist Board has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Poland is a Central European country with a rich cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes bordered by seven countries. It stretches from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Tatra Mountains in the south, offering a variety [...]
The Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca hosted the closing event of the European I-STARS project on November 14, 2025. The initiative, formed by six entities from across Europe, supported 125 tourism SMEs in adopting sustainable practices, pursuing certifications, and developing green skills, providing each business with financial assistance. The event brought together project partners, [...]
Ascott launched last week the Disability Inclusion Playbook for the accommodation sector in partnership with Colorful Earth, specialists in disability inclusion, and supported by SG Enable (Singapore’s focal agency for disability and inclusion), World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and Valuable 500 (an international non-profit of over 500 multinational corporations advancing disability inclusion). An estimated 1.3 [...]
On October 16, 2025, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Hospitality Management Institute (IMHI) – MSc in Hospitality Management, an ESSEC Business School program, to deliver the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course (STC) as part of IMHI’s class titled “Sustainable Tourism & Destination Management.” This collaboration [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course focused in tour operators was successfully delivered from the 11th to the 13th of November 2025 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, reinforcing the growing commitment of the tourism sector in Sabah to sustainability and responsible travel practices. The training was conducted in partnership with the Sabah Tourism [...]
- The Reef-World Foundation's mission, “to inspire and empower people to act in conserving and sustainably developing coastal resources, particularly coral reefs and related ecosystems,” has enabled them to achieve a significant and lasting impact over the years: More than 1,500 marine tourism businesses have actively reduced local threats through their Green Fins membership. [...]
In October 2025, the JTB Group released its Sustainability Report 2025, detailing the company’s milestones in advancing sustainable tourism. The JTB Group states that it prioritizes sustainability at its core and promotes sustainable tourism by developing products, services, and solutions that consider both social and environmental sustainability. Last November 2024, the Group obtained the [...]
- GSTC was at the World Travel Market London, held 4-6 November 2025. This year’s conference focused on the key theme “Reimagining Travel in a Changing World,” exploring themes such as new global policies, shifting traveler behaviors, and the evolving role of sustainability in shaping the industry’s future. Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC Chief Assurance [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) held in Dubai from 27–29 October 2025 at Madinat Jumeirah. The event brought together leading hospitality investors and senior decision-makers to explore key issues in hotel development, sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This year, FHS World marked its 20th anniversary, celebrating two [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Private Training Class for Furano City, sponsored by Furano Sustainable Action Promotion Meeting, held in Furano City, Hokkaido, Japan, from the 6th to the 8th of November 2025, concluded successfully. GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, CEO of Daisetsuzan Experience, shared his knowledge and expertise through practical examples and valuable insights, [...]
The Honduran Institute of Tourism (IHT) has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Located in Central America, Honduras stands out for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the country features tropical forests, mountain ranges, rivers, and extensive coastlines. It [...]
[Etifor | Valuing Nature Staff] On September 2nd, 2025, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) signed a Training Partnership Agreement with Etifor | Valuing Nature. Based in Italy, Etifor is a certified B Corporation and a spin-off of the University of Padua, providing international consulting services to put nature at the heart of [...]
- GSTC participated in the Greening the Islands International (GTI) Conference 2025, held from October 28 to 31 in the Reef Hotel in Gozo, Malta. The event marked the 10th edition of the conference, celebrating a decade of innovation and sustainability for islands worldwide. The conference opened with remarks from: Ian Borg, Deputy Prime [...]
As a resort island, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) states that it is committed to driving sustainable development by working closely with its stakeholders to build a sustainable Sentosa community. The publication of SDC’s fifth Sustainability Report outlines its sustainability journey and provides insights into its management practices and performance regarding Environmental, Social, and Governance [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Private Course, held in Tokyo, Japan, from the 29th to the 31st of October 2025, sponsored by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB) for its employees, concluded successfully. Led by GSTC Trainer Dr. Mami Futagami, Professor Emeritus at Meijo University, the course was delivered in a structured learning environment [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Hospitality Course was successfully delivered onsite in Malta in partnership with the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA). The course took place from 27 to 28 October 2025 and brought together 78 participants from across the tourism sector. Led by Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Trainer and Regional Director for Europe, focused on strengthening participants’ [...]
On October 17, 2025, the first RCEP Member States World Heritage Cooperation Alliance Conference was successfully held in Huangshan, China, gathering representatives from government agencies, heritage sites, academic institutions, and international organizations from across the RCEP member countries. The conference marked a significant milestone in fostering cooperation among nations committed to the conservation and [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the Urban Transformation Summit 2025, organized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) from 21–23 October 2025 in San Francisco, California (USA). The Summit brought together global leaders from business, government, and civil society to explore practical solutions for building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities. The programme [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Private Course sponsored and held for the Lake Mashu Tourism Association took place from 27 to 29 October 2025 in Teshikaga Town, Hokkaido, Japan. The training brought together several participants interested in enhancing their knowledge on sustainable tourism practices; The course provided a focused learning environment rooted in the local [...]
