The GSTC, in partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), offered a 3-day intensive and interactive training program from 26-28 March 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. The training was attended by 30 industry professionals from Thailand and Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia) and beyond.
Based on the GSTC Criteria, the global baseline standard for sustainability in travel and tourism, the training covered sustainability best practices for businesses and destinations, as well as key topics such as global trends in sustainable tourism, sustainability marketing, and sustainable tourism product development and management.
In addition to the trainers representing the GSTC – Dr. Mihee Kang (GSTC Country Representative for South Korea and Asia Pacific Program Director), Randy Durband (GSTC CEO) and Benjamin Lephilibert (Member of the GSTC Standards Working Group) – the training class featured guest expert presentations by:
- Gabriela Kühn, Head of Programme against Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism (SECTT)
- Gili Back, Sustainability Manager, Khiri Travel Thailand and Executive Director, Khiri Reach
Networking is a key part of the benefits of participating in the training. The GSTC training class in Bangkok, with participants from 12 countries and with a diverse mix of industry sectors and professional fields represented, offered valuable networking and professional development opportunities.
During the training, representatives of two island destinations, Seychelles and Vanuatu, both members of the GSTC, announced collaboration focusing on their shared sustainability challenges and opportunities. From these two island nations, the following organizations were represented at the Bangkok training class: Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation (SSTF), the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine – Tourism Department, and Vanuatu Department of Tourism.
The training also included a hands-on onsite sustainability tour of Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, learning about various sustainability practices implemented at the hotel, plus a presentation by the hotel team on their “green” projects.
Organic garden at Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok
The Bangkok training class is offered annually in early spring. Please sign up for the training program news to receive updates on the next class in 2019.
About the STTP
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) offers training opportunities around the world (both online and in-person) throughout the year for tourism professionals interested and engaged in sustainability. See upcoming training options here and contact (training [at] gstcouncil.org) for additional information.
