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 Board and took place at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu, bringing together 29 participants from across the tourism value chain, with a particular focus on tour operators.
The three-day course provided a comprehensive overview of the GSTC Standards, equipping participants with practical tools and knowledge to integrate sustainability into tour design, operations, supply chain management, and customer engagement. Sessions combined theory with real-world case studies, interactive discussions, and applied exercises tailored to tour operator businesses.
The course was led by Kingston Khoo, GSTC Trainer and Founder & CEO of Dusky Leaf Adventures and President of Eco-STEPS Malaysia, who guided participants through sustainability principles, compliance pathways, and best practices aligned with international standards, emphasizing actionable strategies, continuous improvement, and practical implementation within tour operations.
The training was further enriched by a guest presentation from Yashunori Hosono, Team Manager of the Sustainability Team at JTB Corp., who shared insights into corporate sustainability initiatives and lessons learned along his journey.
This course aimed to strengthen sustainability capacity within Sabah’s tourism sector, supporting tour operators in aligning their practices with global sustainability standards while enhancing destination resilience and long-term competitiveness.
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, kindly click here. All courses are available for private groups and can be customized. For further information, contact training[@]gstc.org.
