GSTC – Green Destinations Sustainable Tourism Training

Sustainable Destination Training by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and Green Destinations

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and Green Destinations (GD) will jointly offer a 4-day Training Seminar from 20th to 23rd of February 2019, focusing on best practices in sustainable destination development and management. The Training, including hands-on field sessions, will take place in Chora of Skyros Island, Greece.

The Training program will include a general training focused on the GSTC Criteria for Destinations, the global baseline standard for sustainability in travel and tourism. Based on the curriculum of the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP), the GSTC training will be led by Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Trainer and Program Director for the Mediterranean Region, and delivered through the GSTC Training Partner Green Evolution SA.

Dr. Ioannis Pappas, GSTC Trainer

Green Destinations Training

Additional and more specific training on Sustainable Destinations will be offered by Green Destinations, a GSTC-Accredited certification program for destinations. The Green Destinations training, to be led by Albert Salman, helps industry professionals to progress in making destinations more sustainable, and to become engaged in destination certification and award programs. This is especially beneficial to those who (are starting to) participate in the Green Destinations certification and awards program. Participants will be directly supported in the self-assessment (sustainability reporting) of their own destination.

Albert Salman, President, Green Destinations

Throughout the offered training, field visits will be offered by the Muncipality of Skyros, where Sustainable Tourism Good Practices will be introduced on destination management, ecotourism activities and cultural heritage initiatives, including the local goat festival demostration.

For more information on this training class and to register, please see: https://www.eventora.com/en/Events/1st-gstc-gd-dest-traininig

Opportunities for Professionals, Destination Managers and Advisors

Offering in-depth insights into the GSTC Destination Criteria and practical details related to the Green Destinations certification program, this training is particularly relevant to destination managers, government officials and other professionals involved in sustainable destination management and marketing.

The following are key benefits and additional opportunities available to training participants:

GSTC STTP Exam and Certificate

Those who complete the GSTC-Green Destination training will quality for the (optional) GSTC STTP exam, and upon successfully passing the exam, receive the GSTC Certificate in Sustainable Tourism.

*The exam registration fee (US$75 per person) is not included in the training class registration fee, and can be paid separately by individual training participants online via this registration form.

Destination Sustainability Coordinator

This training is recommended for destination representatives who seek to play the role of a “Sustainability Coordinator” or “Destination Manager”, which is a key aspect of achieving certification by a GSTC-accredited certification body.

Auditors for Sustainable Tourism Certification

Participants who complete this Training Seminar will be able to satisfy parts (steps 1 & 2) of the training requirements towards becoming a “GSTC auditor”. A “GSTC Auditor”, in this context, refers to an auditor who operates within the framework of the GSTC’s accreditation scheme to offer auditing services for any certification body (CB) that is GSTC Accredited. Required steps include: (1) completing official GSTC training on the GSTC Criteria; (2) completing a technical auditor training focused on auditing techniques in sustainable tourism; (3) passing the GSTC STTP exam (minimum required score: 85%).

About the GSTC

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s role as the global Accreditation Body for Certification Programs that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place.

About Green Destinations

Green Destinations is a non-profit organisation for sustainable tourism, leading a global Partnership of expert organisations, companies, and academic institutions. Green Destinations provides a complete, affordable and easy-to-use Assessment & Certification programme that fits the needs of both small and larger destinations. Green Destinations is a GSTC-Accredited certification body.

About Green Evolution

Green Evolution, based in Athens, Greece, was created in 2009 by a group of environmental, engineering, financial and legal experts who are specialists in ecology, energy and carbon finance. Green Evolution’s vision is to help create a sustainable and secure future based on integrated environmental services in tourism, assisting public and private sector organizations in their efforts to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change impact. Green Evolution is a GSTC Training Partner.