The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) offers practical insights and effective steps to help you improve your sustainability practices, and an opportunity to earn GSTC Certificate in Sustainable Tourism. The facilitated online training class of the STTP offers a convenient way to improve your sustainability skills in a flexible online learning environment, while at the same time learning from and interacting with GSTC experts and fellow sustainable tourism practitioners.
The 2017 Q3 class is scheduled for June 19th – July 14th, 2017 (four weeks), and is led by GSTC Trainer Antje Martins.
What: 4-week online sustainable tourism training class by the GSTC
When: June 19th – July 14th, 2017*
Where: Online
Language: English
Fees: Early-bird rates (Regular: US$445, GSTC Member: USD$395) through April 30th, 2017. Discounts available for groups of 5 and more (contact: training@gstcouncil.org).
*Weekly live presentations and discussions scheduled for 15:30 SGT (UTC/GMT +8 hours) on the following days:
- Week 1: Tuesday, June 20th and Thursday, June 22nd.
- Week 2: Thursday, June 29th
- Week 3: Thursday, July 6th
- Week 4: Thursday, July 13th
These live events will be recorded and participants will be able to watch the recordings any time during the training class period.
Registration for this class is closed. Please see the next available class (2017Q4) here.
Sustainable Tourism Training for Industry Professionals
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) provides the knowledge and resources needed to help improve sustainability practices by tourism industry businesses and destinations. Built on the framework of the GSTC Criteria, the global baseline standards for sustainability in travel and tourism, the STTP training class will help you achieve tangible actions that fulfill the globally recognized standard of sustainability best practices.
Certificate in Sustainable Tourism
Certificate in Sustainable TourismBy completing this 4-week online training class of the STTP, you will meet the training requirement towards earning the GSTC-endorsed Certificate in Sustainable Tourism.
Once you complete the class, you will have have access to the official STTP Exam, and upon successful completion (75% and above passing mark is required), receive a Certificate in Sustainable Tourism by the GSTC to demonstrate your knowledge of sustainable tourism standards and practices.
>> Learn more about GSTC Certificate in Sustainable Tourism
Course Topics and Objectives
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training covers both global and regional perspectives, and offers practical guidance through best practice cases and real-life lessons to help you achieve tangible sustainability performance goals. The training curriculum includes global trends and issues in sustainable tourism, sustainability best practices by businesses and destinations, and lessons on utilizing the GSTC Criteria as a tourism development and management tool.
You will:
- Gain an in-depth understanding of sustainable tourism standards and the roles of accreditation and certification bodies in the global tourism industry.
- Be able to make informed decisions on how to implement sustainability practices for your company or destination, utilizing quality sustainable tourism standards as guiding principles.
- Learn how to build and implement viable and actionable sustainable tourism plans for your organization, including effective strategies for sustainability management, partnerships, engagement and marketing.
Course Modules
| TOPICS & LEARNING GOALS | LIVE EVENTS | |
Module 1: Effective Sustainable Tourism ManagementThe first module provides an introduction to the GSTC Criteria, the definition and principles of sustainable tourism, and the GSTC’s roles in the global tourism industry, and discusses best practices in sustainable tourism management approaches (GSTC Criteria Section A). Learning Goals:
| Orientation Meeting Tuesday, June 20, 2017 – 8:30 London / 15:30 Singapore / 17:30 BrisbaneLive Presentation & Discussion“Business Case for Sustainability in Travel and Tourism”Thursday, June 22, 2017 – 8:30 London / 15:30 Singapore / 17:30 Brisbane | |
Module 2: Socioeconomic Impacts and Local Community BenefitsThe goal of the second week is both to dive deeper into the GSTC Criteria and to discuss practical steps to applying the Criteria in the real-world context, focused on understanding the socioeconomic impacts of tourism activities, and on effective strategies for reducing negative impacts (GSTC Criteria Section B). Learning Goals:
| Live Presentation & Discussion “Maximizing Social and Economic Benefits to the Local Community” Thursday, June 29, 2017 – 8:30 London / 15:30 Singapore / 17:30 Brisbane
| |
Module 3: Cultural Heritage Preservation and PromotionContinuing on with lessons and expert presentations on the GSTC Criteria, this week focuses on how tourism businesses and destinations can minimize negative impacts, maximize benefits to local communities and protect cultural heritage through sustainable tourism (GSTC Criteria Section C). Learning Goals:
| Live Presentation & Discussion “Protecting and Enhancing Cultural Heritage through Sustainable Tourism” Thursday, July 6, 2017 – 8:30 London / 15:30 Singapore / 17:30 Brisbane
| |
Module 4: Resource Management and Environmental ConservationIn the fourth and last module of the course, key strategies for reducing tourism’s environmental footprint are presented, and practical action steps in implementing sustainable resource management and conservation practices are discussed (GSTC Criteria Section D). Learning Goals:
| Live Presentation & Discussion “Achieving a Sustainable Balance: People, Planet and Profit” Thursday, July 13, 2017 – 8:30 London / 15:30 Singapore / 17:30 Brisbane
|
*Make sure to check the Live Event times in your time zone.
Course Methodology
The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training online classes are offered quarterly, and delivered in the 4-Week Course format, which combines the convenience of online, on-demand lessons and the benefits of interactive people-focused learning. The class follows a weekly schedule (one module per week), and includes:
- Video lessons and readings that can be accessed at your convenience;
- Hands-on activities to apply your knowledge to your specific real-life, on-the-job practices; and
- Live and interactive components to enhance learning results through sharing ideas and collaborating with each other.
GSTC STTP Online training classes are delivered through the online training platform by TrainingAid, the STTP training program partner.
>> Learn more about the 4-Week Course format and features
Registration Details
The early-bird registration fees (available through April 30th, 2017) for this class are:
- US$ 445 per person (Regular)
- US$ 395 per person (GSTC Member)
After April 30th, 2017:
- US$ 495 per person (Regular)
- US$ 445 per person (GSTC Member)
*For GSTC Organization members, the above member discount is available to all staff members and can be used for an unlimited number of times.
What’s Included
As part of your registration, you will receive training materials to be provided prior to the class; access to the online training platform; a Certificate of Completion confirming your attendance in the class; and the opportunity to take the official STTP Exam (the Exam fee, US$ 75 per person, is NOT included in the above training class registration fee).
Certificate in Sustainable Tourism
You will receive a GSTC Certificate in Sustainable Tourism if you pass the STTP Exam. To take the exam after completing the training class, please select the “Exam & Certificate” add-on option during registration. You can also choose and pay separately for the Exam fee after the training class period.
Group Registration Options
You can sign up multiple people at the same time when registering online. Select the number of people you would like register, and you can enter contact details for each participant on the form. We also offer a discount for each group purchase of more than 5 seats. If you would like to sign up as a group of 5 and more, please contact us (training@gstcouncil.org) for more details.
Need-Based Discounts
We offer a limited number of need-based discounts to current students and professionals who demonstrate genuine needs. To apply, please submit this application form.
GSTC Trainer: Antje Martins
Antje is currently the Customer Service & Training Manager for EarthCheck – the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. In this role, she manages the delivery of the EarthCheck suite of sustainability management products as well as EarthCheck training programs to more than 1,300 businesses across 70 countries. Her wealth of experience spans back 14 years across Germany, France and now Australia and has included work with major luxury hotel chains, airlines, food and beverage providers and market research companies.
Training development and delivery, speaking engagements and workshop facilitation has always been an integral part of her journey, including on-the-job training of new staff, facilitating climate change workshops, speaking at industry conventions and now managing the EarthCheck Training Academy. She is a Certified Asia Pacific Visitor Economy Expert through PATA.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this training class, see our FAQs page or contact: training [at] gstcouncil.org
*Can’t make it to this class? STTP online training classes are offered quarterly, in addition to the onsite face-to-face training classes offered throughout the year in various locations around the world. See all upcoming STTP training classes here.
