PRNewswire
Singapore, June 29: Digital journey platform Agoda and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) rejoice the primary anniversary of the Sustainable Tourism Academy, a joint effort to drive extra sustainable practices throughout Asia. Marking its first full yr since inception, the Academy continues to help hospitality professionals throughout the area in constructing sensible information on sustainable tourism, based mostly on the GSTC Hotel Standard.
Since its launch, the Academy has surpassed 3,000 registered customers. Together with the in-person coaching applications GSTC and Agoda have been delivering since 2022, the partnership has collectively reached over 3,500 business professionals.
Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, mentioned: ‘Education and coaching are probably the most highly effective methods to encourage significant change in tourism. One yr after its launch, the Sustainable Tourism Academy reminds us that when information is made accessible, extra individuals are empowered to take sensible steps towards sustainability. We are proud to rejoice this milestone with Agoda and all learners who’re a part of this journey.’
The majority of registered customers are based mostly throughout Asian markets, with India, Thailand, and Malaysia representing the biggest person bases. Other key markets embody Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Academy customers characterize a various cross-section of the area’s hospitality sector, from professionals at main world resort teams like Accor Group, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and ONYX Hospitality Group, to unbiased operators and hospitality college students from establishments such because the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management.
Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply, Agoda, mentioned: ‘At Agoda, we purpose to be a trusted associate our resort companions flip to as they navigate their sustainability journeys. By making high-caliber, localized sources just like the Sustainable Tourism Academy freely accessible, we’re proud to equip our companions and the broader business with the sensible instruments and information aligned with worldwide requirements.’
Marking its anniversary, the Sustainable Tourism Academy was additionally acknowledged by ASEAN as a key regional useful resource for capability constructing. Moving ahead, Agoda and GSTC will collaborate with ASEAN Member States to develop the Academy’s attain and drive extra sustainable practices throughout the area.
Congratulating each organizations on the milestone, Philippine Tourism Undersecretary Verna C. Buensuceso, Chair of the ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), emphasised the alignment between the Academy’s mission and the area’s long-term financial and environmental targets: ‘The ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) welcome the continued development of the Sustainable Tourism Academy and its contribution to strengthening sustainability information and capability amongst tourism stakeholders throughout the area. As ASEAN advances the implementation of the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan (ATSP) 2026-2030, initiatives equivalent to this assist equip tourism professionals with sensible instruments and information to help sustainable, resilient, and high quality tourism growth. We commend Agoda and GSTC for this achievement and sit up for continued collaboration in selling sustainable tourism practices throughout the area.’
The Academy now helps seven languages: English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, and Indonesian, in addition to the latest additions of Japanese and Korean. The hottest programs of the Academy embody GSTC Standards & Performance Indicators, GSTC Certification, and Developing a Sustainable Policy and Strategy, highlighting the sector’s curiosity in each foundational sustainability information and sensible implementation.
Learn extra concerning the Sustainable Tourism Academy and enroll as we speak right here:https://sustainabletourismacademy.org/.
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