GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course
Seville, Spain, 11-12 December 2022

Schedule | Certificate | Trainers | Registration Info | Discounts

Pre-Conference Training: GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course

Dates: December 11th & 12th, 2022
Location: Hotel Melia Lebreros, Seville, Spain
Language: English (If you’d like to join the Spanish-language course, please see here.)

The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course provides the knowledge and tools needed to help improve sustainability practices in travel and tourism. The training covers the GSTC Criteria, the global baseline standards for sustainability in travel and tourism, and provides best practices for businesses and destinations.

With an in-depth understanding of the GSTC Criteria, you will be able to make informed decisions on how to implement sustainability practices for your company or destination, and be ready for developing actionable sustainable tourism policies and practices for your organization.

This training is offered in conjunction with the 2022 GSTC Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (December 12-15, 2022). Learn how to register.

Course Schedule

The two-day* in-person training class combines trainer presentations, group discussions and exercises with hands-on learning opportunities, focused on practical insights into the GSTC Industry Criteria and the GSTC Destination Criteria, and tangible action steps to applying the Criteria.

*The GSTC 2022 Global Conference program starts on the evening of December 12th with a reception. You will be able to participate in the training class, and then join the evening reception and the rest of the conference program (December 12th – 15th).

See the full course agenda here.

Exam and Certificate

Sustainable Tourism CourseBy completing this 2-day training class, you will meet the training requirement towards earning the GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism.

Once you complete the course, you will have the option to take the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Exam. The exam takes place online, and you will have 4 weeks after the course to submit it. If you pass the exam (75% and above passing mark is required), you will receive a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism by the GSTC. The certificate demonstrates your knowledge of sustainable tourism standards and practices.

>> Learn more about GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism

Trainers

Nicola Koschel
Nicola Koschel
Nicola Koschel serves on the GSTC Accreditation Panel on behalf of WWF. She is an independent tourism consultant based in Germany with a focus on the sustainable development and environmental management of tourism. After graduating from a BBA in Tourism Management and Consultancy (NHTV-NL) she obtained a Master in Sustainable Tourism Management (HNEE-DE). Since 2007 Nicola has worked with and for NGOs, specialist researchers, federal ministries, the German Development Cooperation, the European Commission as well as by order of renowned consultancy firms. She is also a member of GSTC’s International Standards Committee and Destination Stewardship Working Group.
CB Ramkumar
CB Ramkumar
CB Ramkumar (Ram) is an author, speaker, trainer, consultant and an entrepreneur. He is passionate about sustainability and has over the years acquired application knowledge in sustainable living concepts. He developed a model for sustainable living when he built and founded Our Native Village, an eco resort just outside Bangalore, in South India. Over the last decade, he has extended his expertise to sustainable living – including topics such as sustainable food, sustainable health, sustainable marketing and branding. In addition to being a regular guest faculty in colleges across India, Ram is a guest faculty for the Indian Forest Officers training programme, and the International Centre for Environmental Audit & Sustainable Development in Jaipur.
Ayako Ezaki
Ayako Ezaki
Having worked for more than a decade in tourism professional training and education, Ayako specializes in content building, educational program design, training facilitation and project planning. She also brings many years of experience in online communications and content marketing. Through TrainingAid’s partnership with the GSTC, Ayako serves as the GSTC Training Director to develop, manage and market the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program, and over the last few years has worked with hundreds of tourism industry professionals from around the world supporting sustainability practices for tourism businesses and destinations.
Ignacio de las Cuevas
Ignacio de las Cuevas
Ignacio has more than two decades of international experience in the five continents approaching tourism with a multidisciplinary and holistic approach. Over the years, Ignacio has developed a particular interest in international development cooperation, hospitality, diplomacy, professional training and skills development, food waste, sustainability and circularity applied to tourism and, more recently, for methodologies that foster innovation and lead to more efficient results. Ignacio obtained a PhD and a Master’s degree in development studies from the University of Geneva (Switzerland), specializing in global ecology and sustainable development, as well as a diploma in tourism management.

Guest Presenters

Kirsi Hyvaerinen
Kirsi Hyvaerinen
Founder & CEO, HYVÄ Coaching & Consulting
Co-Founder and Partner, BalkanGreen
Board Member of the Global Ecotourism Network
Rob Holms
Rob Holms
Founder & Chief Strategist, GLP Films
Board of Directors – Special Advisor, Adventure Travel Conservation Fund

Registration Details

Training + Conference

  • The training registration fee for the conference delegates is USD 345 per person
  • To register for the training class and the conference, please select the add-on option “Pre-Conference Training” on the conference registration form.

Training Only

  • The training registration fee, if you’re not joining the conference, is USD 455 per person for GSTC members and USD 495 for non-members. The early-bird discount (USD 50 off) is available through September 30th, 2022.
  • To register separately for the training class ONLY, please fill out this registration form.

What’s Included

  • As part of your course registration, you will receive training materials to be provided before the course; lunch and coffee breaks during the training days; and a Certificate of Completion confirming your attendance in the class.
  • Travel and associated costs are NOT included in the course registration fee. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from the venue, and accommodation during the training days. To book a room with a discounted fare at Meliá Sevilla or and Meliá Lebreros (Official Hotels of the GSTC2022 Conference), please see here.
  • Please note: the exam registration fee (US$ 75 per person) is NOT included in the above course registration fee. If you would like to take the exam after the course, please select the add-on option “Exam & Certificate” when you register. You will also have the option to sign up for the exam and after the course.

Discount Options

  • Group Discount (only applicable to GSTC Members attending the GSTC2022 Conference): For groups of 5-10 participants, a reduced registration option (USD 335 per person) is available. 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 Discount: For students (currently enrolled full-time in a university program) and professionals with genuine needs, a limited number of need-based discounts are available (USD 295 per person). Please see the application form here.
GSTC Global Conference

GSTC2022 Sevilla will bring together international and domestic tourism stakeholders involved in the development and promotion of sustainable travel & tourism; including public sector, hotels, tour operators, corporates, OTAs, academia, development agencies, NGOs, consultants, and more.