Latest news with #Agoda
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Agoda and GSTC Launch Free Digital Training Platform to Empower Hoteliers with Sustainability Skills
SINGAPORE, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda, in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), has launched the Sustainable Tourism Academy, a free digital training platform designed to equip current and aspiring hoteliers with practical sustainability tools and knowledge. The initiative aims to address the growing demand for sustainable accommodation options from increasingly sustainability-conscious travelers while driving transformation within Asia's hotel industry. The Sustainable Tourism Academy offers localized and tailored content to tackle the unique sustainability challenges faced by the region. The platform features interactive learning exercises, case studies, assessments, and discussion boards to create an engaging and comprehensive learning experience. Learning modules focus on how to attract sustainability-minded guests and develop sustainability strategies with insights and case studies from hotels across Asia. Available in English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, and Indonesian, the platform ensures accessibility for a broad audience of hospitality professionals across Southeast Asia. The self-paced platform allows participants to complete training modules at their convenience, making it ideal for busy hospitality professionals. Upon successful completion, participants receive a completion certificate jointly issued by GSTC and Agoda, formally recognizing their enhanced sustainability knowledge and skills. Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer at Agoda, shared, "Through the Sustainable Tourism Academy, Agoda and GSTC are equipping hoteliers to drive meaningful change within the industry. Agoda is committed to scaling up this initiative, and by offering this platform free of charge, we're making sustainability education accessible, practical, and impactful for everyone in the Asian hospitality sector, from kitchen staff to general managers." Randy Durband, Chief Executive Officer at Global Sustainable Tourism Council, added, "By providing free access to practical, localized sustainability training, GSTC and Agoda are empowering hoteliers to take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to making sustainability not just an aspiration, but a standard practice across the region." The training content is built around the GSTC Standard, the global standard for sustainability in travel and tourism. It covers key areas such as sustainable management, socioeconomic impacts, cultural impacts, and environmental impacts. Developed by Agoda's Sustainability Team and GSTC and its trainers, including CB Ramkumar (Vice Chair, GSTC), Mochamad Nalendra (CEO, Wise Steps Consulting), and Catherine Germier-Hamel (CEO, Destination Mekong), the content combines diverse expertise and real-world insights from leaders in the field. The platform was officially launched on Friday, 30 May, at an event in Bangkok, Thailand, which brought together over a hundred Southeast Asian hospitality professionals for in-depth conversations on emerging trends and challenges in sustainable tourism. The Sustainable Tourism Academy is free of charge and accessible to everyone, underscoring Agoda and GSTC's commitment to fostering a more sustainable future for all in travel. To explore the platform, visit
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Agoda and GSTC Launch Free Digital Training Platform to Empower Hoteliers with Sustainability Skills
SINGAPORE, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda, in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), has launched the Sustainable Tourism Academy, a free digital training platform designed to equip current and aspiring hoteliers with practical sustainability tools and knowledge. The initiative aims to address the growing demand for sustainable accommodation options from increasingly sustainability-conscious travelers while driving transformation within Asia's hotel industry. The Sustainable Tourism Academy offers localized and tailored content to tackle the unique sustainability challenges faced by the region. The platform features interactive learning exercises, case studies, assessments, and discussion boards to create an engaging and comprehensive learning experience. Learning modules focus on how to attract sustainability-minded guests and develop sustainability strategies with insights and case studies from hotels across Asia. Available in English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, and Indonesian, the platform ensures accessibility for a broad audience of hospitality professionals across Southeast Asia. The self-paced platform allows participants to complete training modules at their convenience, making it ideal for busy hospitality professionals. Upon successful completion, participants receive a completion certificate jointly issued by GSTC and Agoda, formally recognizing their enhanced sustainability knowledge and skills. Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer at Agoda, shared, "Through the Sustainable Tourism Academy, Agoda and GSTC are equipping hoteliers to drive meaningful change within the industry. Agoda is committed to scaling up this initiative, and by offering this platform free of charge, we're making sustainability education accessible, practical, and impactful for everyone in the Asian hospitality sector, from kitchen staff to general managers." Randy Durband, Chief Executive Officer at Global Sustainable Tourism Council, added, "By providing free access to practical, localized sustainability training, GSTC and Agoda are empowering hoteliers to take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to making sustainability not just an aspiration, but a standard practice across the region." The training content is built around the GSTC Standard, the global standard for sustainability in travel and tourism. It covers key areas such as sustainable management, socioeconomic impacts, cultural impacts, and environmental impacts. Developed by Agoda's Sustainability Team and GSTC and its trainers, including CB Ramkumar (Vice Chair, GSTC), Mochamad Nalendra (CEO, Wise Steps Consulting), and Catherine Germier-Hamel (CEO, Destination Mekong), the content combines diverse expertise and real-world insights from leaders in the field. The platform was officially launched on Friday, 30 May, at an event in Bangkok, Thailand, which brought together over a hundred Southeast Asian hospitality professionals for in-depth conversations on emerging trends and challenges in sustainable tourism. The Sustainable Tourism Academy is free of charge and accessible to everyone, underscoring Agoda and GSTC's commitment to fostering a more sustainable future for all in travel. To explore the platform, visit --- ENDS --- View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Agoda
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Forum: Banks must be transparent about transaction fees
I recently made a hotel booking via the online travel agency Agoda, which cost me $155.74. I subsequently cancelled the booking for a full refund. However, when I reviewed my DBS Bank credit card statement, I noticed that I had been charged $157.30 originally, but only refunded $154.18. It turned out that a 1 per cent cross-border transaction fee had been charged, but was not refunded. What was more troubling was that the fee was not listed as a separate line item in the statement, making it difficult to identify. When I called the bank, they acknowledged the issue and refunded the fee. This is where I believe the process can be improved. The 1 per cent fee is automatically applied when the transaction is made, but is not automatically refunded. It requires the consumer to detect the discrepancy and take the initiative to call the bank. In the spirit of transparency and fairness, I hope banks will clearly itemise such transaction fees as a separate line on statements, so consumers can distinguish such fees from merchant charges. I also hope these fees can be automatically refunded when the original transaction is fully refunded by the merchant. To do otherwise feels deceptive and places an unreasonable burden on consumers to monitor and challenge hidden charges. In an age of digital banking, such transparency and automation should be the minimum standard. Julia Yeo Siang Jun More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Tourism Malaysia, Agoda ink strategic pact to boost VM2026 campaign
KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia has entered into a strategic two-year collaboration with digital travel platform Agoda to position Malaysia as a top travel destination in Southeast Asia, in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. In a statement today, Tourism Malaysia said the partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC), aims to leverage Agoda's digital prowess to highlight Malaysia's diverse attractions to a global audience. It said the joint initiatives will roll out a series of targeted digital campaigns and the use of Agoda's platform and social media channels to showcase Malaysia's unique tourism offerings, from its diverse culinary delights to its scenic wonders, to the forefront of international travel. 'Embracing digitalisation, we value our partnership with Agoda, a global digital platform, to leverage its industry expertise and innovative travel promotion strategies. Together, we are confident in attracting tourists and achieving our VM2026 objectives,' said Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy. Agoda, meanwhile, will share its vast global travel insights to benefit Tourism Malaysia's policy planning and bolster existing promotional efforts, focusing on both international and domestic travellers. The collaboration also supports Tourism Malaysia's goal of attracting 45 million international visitor arrivals this year. Agoda Country Director Malaysia Fabian Teja said the partnership underscores Agoda's dedication to connecting Malaysia with travellers worldwide through their innovative technology and engaging content. 'We're excited to collaborate with Tourism Malaysia to showcase the market's unique attractions, including its lush rainforests and rich cultural heritage,' he said. The collaboration will also include joint workshops focusing on traveller behaviour and sustainable tourism practices aimed at enhancing user experience and helping travellers explore Malaysia's diverse destinations. It said the partnership not only highlights Tourism Malaysia and Agoda's commitment to making VM2026 a success but also serves as a catalyst for Malaysia's tourism industry growth.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Tourism Malaysia partners Agoda for VM2026 push
KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia has entered into a strategic two-year collaboration with digital travel platform Agoda to position Malaysia as a top travel destination in Southeast Asia, in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. In a statement today, Tourism Malaysia said the partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC), aims to leverage Agoda's digital prowess to highlight Malaysia's diverse attractions to a global audience. It said the joint initiatives will roll out a series of targeted digital campaigns and the use of Agoda's platform and social media channels to showcase Malaysia's unique tourism offerings, from its diverse culinary delights to its scenic wonders, to the forefront of international travel. 'Embracing digitalisation, we value our partnership with Agoda, a global digital platform, to leverage its industry expertise and innovative travel promotion strategies. Together, we are confident in attracting tourists and achieving our VM2026 objectives,' said Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy. Agoda, meanwhile, will share its vast global travel insights to benefit Tourism Malaysia's policy planning and bolster existing promotional efforts, focusing on both international and domestic travellers. The collaboration also supports Tourism Malaysia's goal of attracting 45 million international visitor arrivals this year. Agoda Country Director Malaysia Fabian Teja said the partnership underscores Agoda's dedication to connecting Malaysia with travellers worldwide through their innovative technology and engaging content. 'We're excited to collaborate with Tourism Malaysia to showcase the market's unique attractions, including its lush rainforests and rich cultural heritage,' he said. The collaboration will also include joint workshops focusing on traveller behaviour and sustainable tourism practices aimed at enhancing user experience and helping travellers explore Malaysia's diverse destinations. It said the partnership not only highlights Tourism Malaysia and Agoda's commitment to making VM2026 a success but also serves as a catalyst for Malaysia's tourism industry growth. For more information on Malaysia travel offers, visit Agoda's website or download the mobile app.
