Dates: May 7-9, 2023 (3-day training)
Venue: Nirvana Cosmopolitan Hotel
Language: English
Scope: GSTC Industry Criteria (Hotels and Tour Operators)
The GSTC Auditor Training involves training class and two tests. In the GSTC Auditor Training Class, the GSTC Industry Criteria will be explained with the process of audit and key issues auditors need to be aware of.
The GSTC Auditor Training is designed for auditors who will audit against the GSTC Criteria for Accredited Certification bodies.
This GSTC Auditor Training in Antalya is a public training: open to Certification Bodies and also independent participants.
More details about the GSTC Auditor Training and qualification requirements to become a GSTC Auditor can be found in section 10 of our GSTC Accreditation Manual v2.5
ABOUT THE COURSE
GSTC Auditor Training
Certification Bodies will need to conform to the current version of the GSTC Accreditation Manual and have auditors and certification decision-makers that have specific knowledge of sustainable tourism and the GSTC Criteria.
To confirm auditors and certification decision-makers have the needed specific knowledge, they are required to attend an auditor training approved by the GSTC and satisfactorily pass an examination.
This training is designed to explain the GSTC Criteria for Industry with the process of audit and key issues that auditors need to be aware of.
Auditor Training Testimonials
It has been beneficial in terms of contributing to the development of the environment and sustainability in our country.
Those who aim at sustainability in the world rapidly, this program created to prevent environmental degradation and aim for a more livable world, GSTC inspections should be mandatory in places such as shopping malls, factories, etc., as well as hotels and tour operators. In this way, it can recycle fast-consumed energy and waste, making the product sustainable, resulting in a cleaner world and a more livable life
Good on inviting guest speakers to share some information on how the organization’s GSTC management system works and to give an overview for better understanding.
This course is good to apply for routine life and can apply to other scheme. it would be good if auditor can observe the real audit of GSTC.
EXAM & CERTIFICATE
GSTC Certificate of Achievement
By completing the GSTC Auditor Training class, you will meet the training requirement towards earning the GSTC Certificate of Achievement.
For the GSTC Certificate of Achievement, two kind of tests are required.
- Written Exam: Auditors who intend to work for the GSTC-accredited CB may take and pass the GSTC Auditor Exam (passing score: 85%). It will be sent via email after the training.
- Field Performance Test: Auditors will deliver individual mock audit on a hotel and tour operators.
*Note: Those who have passed the STTP exam before 2019 are exempted from taking the Auditor Training written exam. This exemption will only be applied to 2023 courses and will NOT be valid for courses starting in 2024 onwards.
TRAINER
Dr. Mihee Kang 
Dr. Mihee Kang is the GSTC Director for the Asia Pacific region, as well as an authorized trainer and destination assessor. She has taught and researched ecotourism and sustainable tourism at several universities since receiving her Ph.D. degree in 1999 from Seoul National University. As the first Ph.D. in ecotourism in S. Korea and a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) Young Scientists Awards 2000 winner, she has been involved in sustainable tourism policy development and sustainability assessments of various types of destinations in S. Korea and other countries over 20 years. She has served in both domestic and international organizations such as Korean Geopark Committee, Korea Islands Foundation, Korea Trails and Culture, Jeju World Heritage Committee, Korea Forest Education Committee, Asian Ecotourism Network, etc. She has actively participated in numerous research projects and ODA projects in Korea and abroad. Dr. Kang has published many articles and books including a recent book about ecotourism in Asian countries.
CO-TRAINER
Mr. Randy Durband
Randy Durband has had two careers in travel and tourism – twenty-plus years in senior leadership positions at some of the finest U.S. tour operators, having served as President for Travcoa, INTRAV, and Clipper Cruise Lines, (brands within TUI Travel plc), plus Executive Vice President of Tauck World Discovery. Following that, in his second travel and tourism career, Randy advanced the work of Sustainable Tourism as an advisor, consultant, and speaker. He brings his knowledge of the business of travel, his global network of travel professionals, and a passion for sustainability to support the GSTC and the general sustainable tourism movement. He has held several board positions and committee memberships in travel and tourism organizations, and is a frequent speaker on sustainable tourism issues.
Dr. Ioannis Pappas
Dr. Ioannis Pappas sits on the GSTC Board of Directors and acts as the Treasurer of GSTC. He is the GSTC Representative in the Mediterranean Region, and a GSTC authorized Trainer. Dr. Pappas is the CEO of Green Evolution SA, an experienced professional engineer, with over 25 years of work in several fields of science, focusing on sustainability and tourism, energy and environmental efficiency in infrastructure and buildings. He is also auditing and advising on standardization of companies and technological implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation methodologies. Dr. Pappas is Co-founder and a Board Member in a number of organizations (Sustainable Building Council of Greece, Hellenic Passive House Institute, Hellenic Start Up Association) as well as Co-founder of the Hellenic Ecotourism Society. He worked with the Joint Research Center-IE of European Commission and was a Greek representative as the expert for ITL at UNFCCC.
Guest Speakers
Ms. Jennifer Klar
Jennifer is based in Bangkok where she has been working with Six Senses since 2018, after graduating from her Master’s in Global Hospitality Business with a trimester at each, EHL, Hong Kong Poly University and University of Houston.
She joined the group as a fast-track sustainability management trainee in Bangkok and moved thereafter to China, Chengdu province, where she worked as the sustainability manager for Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain. She thereafter supported the pre-opening of Six Senses Istanbul, before moving back to Thailand early 2020 to work for Six Senses Home Office as Corporate Sustainability Manager.
In her current role as Director Corporate Sustainability, her responsibilities include managing operational impacts across 20 hotels as well as driving groupwide initiatives such as Plastic Free 2022 or the Climate Action Plan. Jennifer draws 8 years of work experience in hospitality and 6 years of work experience in finance and knows that measuring data, good communication and transparency are key in making sustainable tourism the norm.
Mr. Nabil Tarazi
After 17 years working in the technology sector, Nabil Tarazi left his job in 2006 and spent a year backpacking in Australia and Asia where he found his calling: adventure and ecotourism. He founded EcoHotels in 2009, and entered into partnership with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to manage and operate the only ecolodge in Jordan, Feynan Ecolodge. Under Nabil’s management, Feynan became a model ecotourism destination, achieving numerous international awards, including being selected by National Geographic Traveler as one of the best 25 ecolodges in the world and being the overall winner of the 2019 WTM Responsible Tourism Awards. Nabil consults on sustainability and the development and operation of ecolodge and is a founding member of the Global Ecotourism Network, and currently the organization’s treasurer.
Mr. Ruben Derksen
Ruben works as the Director of Product and Commercial for EXO Travel, a leading Tour Operator in Responsible Travel. With more than a decade in leadership roles in the tourism industry, he uses his operational experience to implement sustainability initiatives in the tourism value chain. Having lived in 13+ countries across the globe, and having studied Development Work in addition to Business Management, he brings a practical perspective and insights into the training, demonstrating some best practices that Tour Operators can implement.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Course Registration Fees
- US$ 980 for the Auditor Training ONLY. To attend the Auditor Training in conjunction with the GSTC2023 Conference, see rates below
- Accommodation is not included in the registration fee and is the responsibility of the participant.
- The registration deadline is May 1, 2023.
Course + GSTC2023 Conference Registration Fees
Participants staying at the official hotel, where the training and conference are being held, will benefit from $150 discount on the Conference Registration Fee:
What’s Included
This fee includes the written exam and the mock-audit performance test.
Please note: The 2nd trial of the written exam is NOT included in the above course registration fee.