Top: Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC director for Asia-Pacific, H.E Mr. Ounethouang Khaophanh, Deputy Minister of MICT Bottom: Mr. Randy Durband, GSTC CEO

On November 19, 2022, the GSTC successfully conducted virtual sustainable tourism training for Laos’ tourism management leaders. The 1-day event was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) of Lao PDR.

Virtual Sustainable Tourism Training for Laos MICT

In attendance were 14 MICT officials from 7 different departments and divisions, such as Planning and Cooperation Department, Tourism Development Department, Tourism Marketing Department, Tourism Management Department, Hospitality and Tourism Training Division, Tourism Planning and Development Division, Tourism Standard and Administration Division, as well as 1 official from the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Vientiane Capital.

The training was led by Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC Director for Asia-Pacific, as the lead trainer. Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, contributed to the class as a co-trainer and presenter. The objectives of the training were to share the global trend of sustainable tourism, to enhance the mid and high-level officials’ understanding of global standards on sustainable destinations and enable them to apply the criteria to Lao tourist destinations so they can identify the challenges and opportunities they confront with and respond to the issues in a sustainable way, and to benchmark other good practices shared during the training.

As a result of this training and continued partnership with participating organizations, GSTC continues to support the sustainable development of destinations (both at the municipality and regional levels) in Lao PDR and southeast Asia. These initiatives are a key component of the GSTC’s ongoing engagement in various destinations across Asia and beyond.

GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP)

The GSTC works with destination partners and industry organizations to deliver tailored training options, including training in the local language by GSTC trainers and designing a shorter introductory program or a longer, more extensive program targeting sustainable tourism practitioners.

You can also learn more about the GSTC’s Sustainable Tourism Training Program and join one of the upcoming courses: Sustainable Tourism course, Sustainable Business Travel course, and Sustainable Hospitality course.