The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in collaboration with the digital travel platform Agoda, has launched the Sustainable Tourism Academy, a free digital training platform designed to equip current and aspiring hoteliers with practical sustainability tools and knowledge. The initiative aims to address the growing demand for more sustainable accommodation options from increasingly sustainability-conscious travelers while driving transformation within Asia’s hotel industry.
The Sustainable Tourism Academy provides region-specific and customized content designed to address the distinct sustainability issues encountered locally. The platform includes interactive exercises, real-world case studies, quizzes, and forums to foster an engaging and well-rounded learning journey. Its modules guide hospitality professionals in appealing to environmentally conscious travelers and crafting effective sustainability strategies, drawing on examples and experiences from hotels throughout Asia. To support wide access across Southeast Asia, the platform is offered in English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, and Indonesian.
This course is designed for individuals from all professional backgrounds currently working in the hospitality industry, as well as for those aspiring to be future professionals. It offers an accessible introduction to the core concepts of Sustainable Hospitality.
Through this training, participants will gain a solid foundation in Sustainable Hospitality and an easy-to-follow introduction to the GSTC’s Four Pillars: Sustainable Management, Socio-economic Impact, Cultural Impact, and Environmental Impact. The course also provides an essential overview before exploring the GSTC Hotel Standard in greater detail. It serves as an ideal starting point for those planning to continue their learning through GSTC’s Sustainable Tourism Training Program, such as the GSTC Sustainable Tourism or the GSTC Sustainable Hospitality Course.
Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer at Agoda, shared, “Through the Sustainable Tourism Academy, Agoda and GSTC are equipping hoteliers to drive meaningful change within the industry. Agoda is committed to scaling up this initiative, and by offering this platform free of charge, we’re making sustainability education accessible, practical, and impactful for everyone in the Asian hospitality sector.”
Following the launch of the Sustainable Tourism Academy platform, an engaging event took place in Bangkok to mark its debut. Designed as a hybrid between a festival and a conference, the event brought together students, young hospitality professionals, and industry leaders for a lively afternoon of learning and connection. Guests were welcomed with live demonstrations and interactive displays that showcased the platform’s practical tools and real-world case studies. Opening remarks were delivered by Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer at Agoda, each highlighting the urgent need for more sustainable practices in tourism and the Academy’s role in supporting this transformation across Southeast Asia.
Access the Sustainable Tourism Academy here: https://sustainabletourismacademy.org/
ABOUT AGODA
Agoda, a digital travel platform, helps anyone see the world for less with its great value deals on a global network of 5 million hotels and holiday properties worldwide, plus flights, activities, and more. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages and supported by 24/7 customer support.
Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 7,000 staff in 27 markets, dedicated to leveraging best-in-class technology to make travel even easier.
ABOUT GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, the GSTC Standards, also known as the GSTC Criteria. The GSTC Destination Standard for public policy-makers and destination managers, GSTC Hotel Standard & GSTC Tour Operator Standard, GSTC MICE Standard for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions, and the GSTC Attraction Standard for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Standards form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services but provides accreditation to those that do.
GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. The GSTC is an ISEAL Community Member, a global membership organization for ambitious, collaborative, and transparent sustainability systems.
Information for media and the press: www.gstc.org/about/for-the-press/
