GSTC Auditor Training in Japan Date: June 23-25, 2025 Location: Tokyo, Japan Venue: JTB Building (11th Floor, 2-3-11 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8602) Language: English (Partial translation to Japanese may be provided.) Scope: GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotel and Tour operator *GSTC Auditor Training involves 3-days training class followed by two tests. In the GSTC [...]
GSTC renames its global standards from ‘GSTC Criteria’ to ‘GSTC Standards’ to enhance clarity and alignment with international terminology. "Our founders named these standards the ‘GSTC Criteria’ to distinguish them as globally managed standards from other sustainable tourism standards. However, that name led some stakeholders to believe they were something other than standards. Our Board [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the 20th Green & Blue Tourism Forum during ITB Berlin 2025, held from March 4–6. As part of the event, Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Director for the Mediterranean Region, delivered a keynote presentation focused on sustainable coastal and maritime tourism. The session explored strategies for integrating [...]
Today’s tourism industry features a significant presence of micro and small enterprises (MSEs). Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are essential to the tourism and travel sector, representing approximately 80% of all tourism enterprises worldwide and up to 98% in select G20 nations (International Council for Small Business, 2024*). Tourism MSEs play an important role [...]
GSTC Auditor Training in Istanbul (HTO), Türkiye Date: April 5-7, 2025 Location: Istanbul, Türkiye Venue: Titanic Port Bakirkoy (Ataköy 1., Fişekhane Cd. No: 7/3, 34140 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Türkiye) Language: Turkish Scope: GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotel and Tour operator *GSTC Auditor Training involves 3-days training class followed by two tests. In the GSTC Auditor Training [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course was sponsored by JTB Corp for its employees who came from Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kansai, and Fukuoka. It was held in Tokyo, Japan, from the 19th to the 21st of February, 2025. A total of 20 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by the Nasu Tourism Association for its employees, concluded successfully. It was held in Nasu-machi, Japan, from the 10th to the 11th of February 2025. A total of 24 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, led the course. The two-day [...]
The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) who joined GSTC as a Destination Member in 2020, sponsored three GSTC Sustainable Tourism Trainings in different locations for destination representatives and tourism industry stakeholders in Japan. The GSTC Trainings in Japan were held in the following destinations: 1. Tsuruoka Yamagata, from the 14th to the 16th of December, [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by Himeji City for its employees concluded successfully. It was held in Himeji City, Japan, from the 3rd to the 5th of February 2025. A total of 16 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, led the [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) held a workshop for its Japan members in Tokyo on February 6th, 2025. The event, organized in collaboration with Rakuten Travel, took place at the Rakuten Crimson House Headquarters. The workshop provided a platform for GSTC Japan Members to engage in interactive sessions, discussions, and presentations focusing on [...]
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the Destination Europe Summit 2025, held the 6th of February 2025 in Brussels organized by the European Travel Commission (ETC), with Booking.com as Lead Partner. The event brought together tourism professionals, policymakers, and sustainability experts to discuss key trends and challenges shaping the future of tourism [...]
GSTC Auditor Training in Antalya, Türkiye Date: March 10-12, 2025 Location: Antalya, Türkiye Venue: To be announced Language: Turkish Scope: GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotel and Tour operator *GSTC Auditor Training involves 3-days training class followed by two tests. In the GSTC Auditor Training Class, the GSTC Industry Criteria will be explained with the [...]
GSTC Auditor Training in Fiji Date: August 3-5, 2025 Location: Fiji Venue: To be announced Language: English Scope: GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotel and Tour operator *This training has been cancelled and will not be held as previously scheduled. *GSTC Auditor Training involves 3-days training class followed by two tests. In the GSTC Auditor [...]
GSTC Auditor Training in Istanbul, Turkiye Date: April 8-9, 2025 Location: Istanbul, Türkiye Venue:Titanic Port Bakirkoy (Ataköy 1., Fişekhane Cd. No: 7/3, 34140 Bakırköy/İstanbul, Türkiye) Language: English Scope: GSTC Criteria for Destination Important Notice - Please note that this training covers the GSTC Criteria for Destinations, not for Hotels & Tour Operators. - GSTC [...]
GSTC Auditor Training in Germany Date: April 2-4, 2025 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt City Centre (Weserstrasse 43, 60329 Frankfurt, Germany) Language: English Scope: GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotel and Tour operator *GSTC Auditor Training involves 3-days training class followed by two tests. In the GSTC Auditor Training Class, the GSTC [...]
GSTC Auditor Training in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Date: March 24-26, 2025 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Venue:The RuMa Hotel and Residences (7 Jalan Kia Peng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) Language: English Scope: GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotel and Tour operator *GSTC Auditor Training involves 3-days training class followed by two tests. In the GSTC Auditor Training [...]
In 2024, Japan hosted seventeen GSTC Sustainable Tourism Trainings, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism development. These sessions, held across various regions, have provided hospitality professionals, destination managers, and tourist industry stakeholders with essential knowledge and skills for advocating sustainable tourism practices; allowing attendees to learn in depth the GSTC Criteria, the global [...]
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course, sponsored by Nikko Natural Science Museum for their employees and locals, concluded successfully. It was held in Nikko City, Japan, from the 19th to the 21st of January 2025. A total of 17 participants attended the training, and GSTC Trainer Kazuhiro Arai, Representative of Daisetsuzan Nature School, led the [...]
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is based on a mutual interest to advance a more resilient and sustainable travel and tourism industry through collaborative activities. These initiatives include the exchange of information, joint outreach efforts, and coordinated events [...]
The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025 is being held under the theme ‘Unity in motion - Shaping ASEAN’s Tourism Tomorrow” from the 15th to the 20th of January 2025, at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, in Johor, Malaysia. GSTC CEO, Randy Durband participated in the session titled “Charting Tourism for ASEAN: Trends Defining the [...]
