The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a global organization for quality sustainability standards in travel and tourism, offers through its Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) practical insights and expert guidance to help tourism industry professionals implement sustainability best practices. Starting in 2017, the STTP training classes will include, in addition to onsite training classes offered in various locations around the world, a series of facilitated online training classes offered throughout the year.
Designed as an interactive training experience led by expert GSTC Trainers, STTP online training classes are offered through a flexible online learning environment and combine the convenience of on-demand learning with the benefits of interactive people-focused learning to optimize results for busy tourism professionals. These scheduled courses are delivered over a 4-week period, and include weekly lessons and activities, and live components to facilitate interaction and collaboration.
“The GSTC training program is a critical part of the GSTC’s mission of increasing sustainable tourism knowledge and practices among tourism industry stakeholders”, says Randy Durband, GSTC Chief Executive Officer.
The development of the STTP supports the GSTC’s ongoing initiatives supporting the UNEP 10 Year Framework Program (10YFP) on Sustainable Tourism, as the STTP is part of the 10YFP Portfolio, relating to training on sustainability principles and “the application of guidelines, tools and technical solutions to improve, mitigate and prevent tourism impacts and to mainstream Sustainable Consumption and Production patterns among tourism stakeholders” (Source: 10YFP Program on Sustainable Tourism, Work Area 3).
Further, in 2017, the GSTC aims to contribute, through the STTP, to the “Capacity-building and education” goals of the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, implementing the recommended activity of “running capacity-building workshops/trainings on sustainable tourism” outlined by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The 4-week online training classes of the STTP will be offered quarterly, starting in April 2017, and delivered through the online training platform by TrainingAid, the STTP training program partner. Along with the regular onsite classes, the online training option fulfills the training requirement towards earning the GSTC Certificate in Sustainable Tourism, offering STTP training participants the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of sustainable tourism standards and practices.
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