Latest news with #GlobalSustainableTourismCouncil
Korea Herald
3 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
NDTV
22-04-2025
- NDTV
World Earth Day 2025: 12 Destinations Leading The Way In Responsible Travel
The travel world has officially hit its climate-aware era. Forget vague green promises — today's best destinations are backing sustainability with real policies, local partnerships, and planet-friendly experiences. From carbon-negative countries to electric-powered fjords, these places aren't just looking good on Instagram — they're doing good, too. From eco-friendly fjord cruises in Norway to Indigenous community-led treks in Greenland, coral restoration in Fiji to forest-preserving policies in Bhutan, these 12 responsible travel destinations are proving that travel and responsibility don't have to be at odds. Here's where to go in 2025 if you want your holiday to have impact, not just aesthetics — but meaning, too. Here Are 12 Sustainable Destinations Driving Responsible Travel In 2025: 1. Northern Costa Rica Costa Rica has long been the poster child for ecotourism, but its northern region — home to Rincon de la Vieja and Tenorio Volcano National Parks — is setting a new standard. Visitors can hike to turquoise waterfalls like Rio Celeste, spot tapirs and toucans on community-run safaris, and stay at ecolodges like Origins Lodge that use hydroelectric power and organic farming. The country runs on 99% renewable energy and has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, making your jungle getaway here as low-impact as it gets. 2. The Azores, Portugal This remote Portuguese archipelago has been lauded by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council for its integrated approach to conservation. Sao Miguel's geothermal-fed hot springs, Terceira's lava caves, and Faial's whale sanctuaries offer natural wonders without the crowds. The Azores get 40% of their electricity from renewables and are aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030. Many accommodations are eco-certified, including the zero-waste-inspired Lava Homes. As of 2023, the regional government also implemented a "carrying capacity" study to limit mass tourism. 3. Rwanda Rwanda. Photo: Pixabay In Rwanda, tourism has become a tool for healing and growth. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park directly funds conservation and allocates 10% of permit fees to local communities. Rwanda Development Board has capped gorilla visitor permits at 96 per day to prevent stress on wildlife. Lodges like Bisate and Singita Kwitonda are built with volcanic rock, powered by solar, and employ locals. The country has banned plastic bags since 2008 and enforces monthly Umuganda (community clean-up days), which even tourists can join. 4. Norway Norway isn't just leading on electric cars — it's electrifying the travel industry. The country will ban fossil fuel-powered cruises in UNESCO-listed fjords from 2026, but lines like Hurtigruten and Havila are already operating hybrid ships. The Lofoten Islands have introduced eco-taxes and limit short-term rentals to preserve local culture. Stay in energy-efficient cabins, hike in protected parks like Rondane, and dine on seasonal menus featuring reindeer, cod, and foraged berries. Bonus: Oslo aims to become the world's first emission-free capital by 2030. 5. Singapore Singapore's Green Plan 2030 includes reforestation, car-lite zones, and a goal to triple cycling paths. Tourism aligns with this vision. Gardens by the Bay uses a sophisticated biomass-powered cooling system, and the new Mandai Wildlife Reserve is built with green-certified materials and eco-bridges for wildlife movement. Stay at PARKROYAL Collection Marina Bay, which is powered by solar and covered in 2,400 plants. You can kayak through mangrove forests in Pulau Ubin or shop plastic-free at the city's growing zero-waste stores. 6. Eastern Greenland Eastern Greenland remains one of the least developed tourism regions in the Arctic, and that's by design. Places like Tasiilaq and Kulusuk focus on small-scale, locally led experiences — husky sledding, ice fjord hiking, and Inuit cultural storytelling. There are no mass cruise terminals here. Non-profit groups like Visit Greenland have launched guidelines promoting low-impact travel, and climate education is built into many itineraries. With permafrost melt and rising seas threatening daily life, tourism here is more about listening than consuming. 7. Fiji Fiji. Photo: iStock Fiji is taking climate resilience seriously. With over 80 marine protected areas and 100% of its national parks managed by local communities, the island nation has banned plastic bags, polystyrene, and microbeads. Coral planting is common at resorts like Six Senses and Jean-Michel Cousteau, which also run marine biology programmes for guests. In 2023, the country launched a national "Blue Bond" to fund reef restoration and eco-tourism projects. Snorkel responsibly in the Namena Marine Reserve or hike inland to Nabalesere Waterfall for a glimpse of untouched rainforest. 8. Dominica Dominica. Photo: Pixabay After being devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, Dominica has rebuilt with a climate-first mindset. It's now working towards becoming the world's first climate-resilient nation. The Waitukubuli National Trail, the Caribbean's longest hiking route, cuts through rainforests, hot springs and traditional Kalinago villages. Eco-resorts like Jungle Bay and Rosalie Bay are powered by renewables and employ local staff. Dominica's marine parks and dive sites, like Champagne Reef, are also protected by national legislation limiting overuse. 9. Bhutan Bhutan charges a Sustainable Development Fee of USD100 per day, directing funds to healthcare, education and conservation. It remains the world's only carbon-negative country, with over 70% forest cover. Travellers can now visit less-trodden areas like Haa Valley or Lhuntse, where community-based homestays are on the rise. Bhutan's tourism law requires all hotels to meet eco-certification standards, and new policies support electric vehicle adoption and waste-free trekking. Don't expect luxury excess — expect spiritual connection and quiet impact. 10. Botswana Botswana's low-impact model prioritises quality over quantity. The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers solar-powered tented camps like Gomoti Plains and Xigera Safari Lodge. Nearly 40% of the country is under some form of conservation. Community trusts manage wildlife corridors and receive direct proceeds from tourism. Elephant populations are thriving thanks to anti-poaching units partly funded by safari tourism. In the Central Kalahari, travellers can learn survival skills from San bushmen through vetted cultural exchanges. 11. Barbados Barbados. Photo: iStock Barbados is punching above its weight in the climate fight. It has pledged to be fossil fuel-free by 2030, with over 50% of power expected from solar by 2025. Tourism Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill has stated that all new tourism developments must meet green certification standards. ECO Lifestyle + Lodge uses rainwater harvesting and composting, while local tour operators like Walkers Reserve offer dune restoration workshops. The island's "slow food" movement is growing, with chefs like Damian Leach championing hyper-local menus. 12. Kyoto, Japan Kyoto. Photo: iStock Kyoto's efforts to curb overtourism include reservation-only systems at popular sites like Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari, and caps on tour buses in heritage zones. The city has banned short-stay rentals in residential areas and is promoting "slow travel" via its Kyotogram campaign. Visitors are encouraged to stay longer, support traditional crafts, and take public transport. Tea workshops in Uji, temple lodgings (shukubo), and local-run tofu tasting tours are helping support artisans struggling with tourism volatility.
Boston Globe
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Tourists have a message for Trump: We're boycotting the US
There is easy irony in this tourist backlash. Trump, who is a titan of the resort and tourism industry, has stoked resistance by breaking the first rule of tourism: create an alluring and welcoming destination. Instead, Trump has made it clear to Canadians and Europeans that they are no longer America's close friends and allies. He threatened their economies with tariffs because he claimed the United States was being ripped off by current trade agreements. His immigration order 'Protecting the American People Against Invasion' painted Mexico and Canada as virtual enemies allowing drugs and immigrants to pass freely through their borders. He claimed an imperial right to Greenland, the Panama Canal, and Canada, which he said should be the 51st state. He belittled European nations as unnecessary freeloaders as he abandoned long-held commitments and switched the US stance to support Russia against Ukraine. Advertisement Not surprisingly, Advertisement This will hurt the US economy. Tourism is a major American industry. It is the seventh-largest employer and contributed $2.36 trillion to the economy in 2023, more than agriculture or the automobile industry. But tourism is also sensitive to cultural and political shifts. Travel choices are influenced by countless advertisements for the latest 'best places to go' and photographs that flood Instagram and TikTok. The reason the United States earned more money from tourism last year than any other country was its openness, culture, and diversity of landscape and experience. That America is disappearing. And so are tourists. 'Why would you come to the United States today?' said Randy Durband, the CEO of Global Sustainable Tourism Council, a nonprofit that sets tourism standards around the world, in an interview. 'Travel is a feeling. You want to go someplace where you feel good and comfortable and safe. That's not America now and people get that. They have plenty of other choices.' They are going elsewhere. Advertisement What was supposed to be another outstanding year for tourism is becoming a disappointment. . With the intense policing on the American southern border, decline in Mexican tourism is difficult to sort but air bookings dropped 6 percent in February. The drop in European travel accelerated when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, acting with impunity, detained or deported Europeans and Canadians. Each deportation and detention was headline news for its trampling on rights and the law. The Incensed, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France issued warnings about travel to the United States. Mexico issued a travel warning about Texas due to the measles outbreak. This swift slide of the United States from favorite to feared destination is hard to exaggerate. And that fear works both ways. Shannon Stowell, the CEO of Adventure Travel and Tourism Association, Advertisement Trump will add to the boycott himself when he releases his list of countries whose citizens will be banned from receiving visas to the United States. The preliminary list of Domestic travel won't make up for the loss in foreign tourism because Americans are postponing or canceling trips in their own country. They are worried about the economy in general and the effect of Trump's drastic cuts and firings on their travel plans, especially With reduced American traveling and the growing foreign tourist boycott, the US travel industry will lose $64 billion in 2025, according to That's the financial cost. The social damage is impossible to calculate. Travel to new lands for new experiences and new understanding of other people and cultures will be lost, leading to insularity and fear of the stranger in Fortress America. Or as Mark Twain famously said: 'Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.'
Trade Arabia
07-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Six Senses Zighy Bay gains GSTC certification
Six Senses Zighy Bay has received the highest level of certification after being audited by Control Union, accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The property underwent a thorough audit to verify its efforts in sustainability planning, reducing negative environmental impacts, enhancing cultural heritage, and maximising social and economic benefits for surrounding communities. 'GSTC Certification is a globally recognised benchmark for sustainability,' says Armand Thieblemont, Director of Sustainability at Six Senses Zighy Bay. 'Earning this certification is a proud milestone for our property and the dedicated Sustainability Team, who continuously strive to deliver exceptional hospitality while maintaining an unwavering focus on responsible operations and meaningful engagement with our guests, colleagues, and the local community.' The GSTC Certification is a respected seal of sustainable travel and tourism, offering an antidote to 'greenwashing' in the hospitality industry. The extensive certification criteria aim to give credibility to sustainability claims, ensuring they are both measurable and upheld through meaningful action.
