Training Report: GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training in Japan

Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) Offers GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training for Local Destinations

Through Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), the GSTC provided sustainable tourism training for destination representatives and other industry stakeholders from the following 15 destinations in 2021:

小樽市 Otaru City, Hokkaido
普代村 Fudai Village, Iwate
東松島市 Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi
佐渡市 Sado City, Niigata
那須塩原市 Nasushiobara City, Tochigi
七尾市、中能登町 Nanao City & Nakanoto Town, Ishikawa
長良川流域 Nagaragawa Basin, Gifu
箱根町 Hakone Town, Kanagawa
南知多町 Minami-chita Town, Aichi
小豆島町 Shodoshima Town, Kagawa
大洲市 Osu City, Ehime
人吉市、阿蘇市 Hitoyoshi City, Aso City, Kumamoto
奄美市、与論町 Amami City, Yoron Town, Kagoshima

These destinations are part of the JTA’s ongoing efforts to implement the Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D), which is based on the GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D).

The training classes were attended by destination representatives and local and regional government officials. In addition, the groups also included private sector stakeholders, academics and professionals from other related sectors. The training was led by GSTC trainers Masaru Takayama and Kazu Arai.

Global Standards, Local Contexts

As part of each training sessions, local and regional examples were highlighted through guest presentations and field visits to local sites and organizations, providing additional opportunities for training participants to learn about and discuss real-life application of sustainability practices.

Photos of the training and field sessions provided by GSTC trainers: (1) Field session, Fudaimura; (2) Field session, Hakone-machi; (3) Training session, Hakone; (4) Field session, Otaru.