Agoda and GSTC Broaden Sustainable Tourism Academy Access to Japan and South Korea
Agoda and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council have introduced full Japanese and Korean language support for their Sustainable Tourism Academy. This expansion, coinciding with the platform’s first anniversary, aims to enhance sustainability education for hospitality professionals in two of Asia’s largest tourism markets.
Academy Reaches Key Asian Markets
Agoda and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) have expanded their Sustainable Tourism Academy. The platform now offers complete language support for Japanese and Korean speakers. This development marks the academy's first anniversary. It extends its reach to hospitality professionals across Japan and South Korea.
These nations represent two significant tourism markets within Asia. The academy’s mission focuses on equipping industry personnel with practical knowledge. This education is grounded in the established GSTC Hotel Standard. The initiative seeks to strengthen sustainable practices within the region’s hospitality sector.
The expansion follows the academy surpassing 3,000 registered users. It has also engaged over 3,500 professionals through various training programmes.
Diverse Participation and Language Offerings
The Sustainable Tourism Academy now delivers training in seven languages. These include English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean. This broadens access to crucial sustainability education for diverse professionals. Participants in the academy’s digital and in-person programmes come from various organisations.
These include major hotel groups like Accor, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and Onyx Hospitality Group. Independent operators also participate. Furthermore, hospitality students from institutions such as the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management enrol. The academy’s growth demonstrates a clear demand for specialised training.
This training helps the industry adopt more environmentally responsible operational methods. It supports a wider commitment to sustainable tourism principles across Asia.
Tailored Support for Regional Hospitality
The Japanese-language version of the academy provides targeted support. It assists a wide range of tourism businesses. This includes large hotel chains and smaller, family-operated enterprises. The Korean version aims to help hospitality partners adopt more sustainable practices. This strengthens their long-term business resilience.
Popular courses within the academy reflect industry priorities. These include 'GSTC Standards & Performance Indicators' and 'GSTC Certification'. Another sought-after course is 'Developing a Sustainable Policy and Strategy'. These selections show a strong demand for both foundational sustainability knowledge and practical implementation strategies among professionals. The tailored approach addresses specific market needs within these key Asian economies.
Implications for Asian Tourism Development
This expansion shows a clear industry drive towards sustainable tourism development in Asia. Providing training in local languages removes significant barriers to entry. It enables more hospitality businesses to integrate sustainable practices. This move by Agoda and GSTC can foster a more resilient and responsible tourism sector.
It particularly benefits markets like Japan and South Korea. Their tourism industries are substantial. Increased local language resources for sustainability training will likely lead to wider adoption of GSTC standards. This supports enhanced environmental stewardship and community benefits. Industry stakeholders should monitor the uptake of these new language programmes. Their success will demonstrate the impact of localised sustainability education on regional tourism practices.
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