Milestone Achievement: Over 3,000 Registered Users
Digital travel platform Agoda and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) have announced that their Sustainable Tourism Academy has surpassed 3,000 registered users within its first year. The academy, launched to promote sustainable practices in Asia's hospitality sector, provides free training based on the GSTC Hotel Standard. Together with in-person training programs delivered since 2022, the partnership has collectively reached over 3,500 industry professionals.
Regional Impact and Diverse User Base
The majority of registered users are based in Asian markets, with India, Thailand, and Malaysia forming the largest user bases. Other key markets include Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Users range from professionals at global hotel groups like Accor Group, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and ONYX Hospitality Group to independent operators and hospitality students from institutions such as the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management.
Quotes from Leadership
Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, stated: "Education and training are one of the most powerful ways to inspire meaningful change in tourism. One year after its launch, the Sustainable Tourism Academy reminds us that when knowledge is made accessible, more people are empowered to take practical steps toward sustainability. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Agoda and all learners who are part of this journey."
Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply at Agoda, added: "At Agoda, we aim to be a trusted partner our hotel partners turn to as they navigate their sustainability journeys. By making high-caliber, localized resources like the Sustainable Tourism Academy freely accessible, we are proud to equip our partners and the wider industry with the practical tools and knowledge aligned with international standards."
ASEAN Recognition and Expansion
Marking its anniversary, the academy was recognized by ASEAN as a key regional resource for capacity building. Agoda and GSTC will collaborate with ASEAN Member States to expand the academy's reach and drive more sustainable practices across the region. Philippine Tourism Undersecretary Verna C. Buensuceso, Chair of the ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), emphasized the alignment with regional goals: "The ASEAN National Tourism Organizations welcome the continued growth of the Sustainable Tourism Academy and its contribution to strengthening sustainability knowledge and capacity among tourism stakeholders across the region. As ASEAN advances the implementation of the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan 2026-2030, initiatives such as this help equip tourism professionals with practical tools and knowledge to support sustainable, resilient, and quality tourism development. We commend Agoda and GSTC for this achievement and look forward to continued collaboration."
New Language Support and Popular Courses
The academy now supports seven languages: English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, Indonesian, and the recently added Japanese and Korean. The most popular courses include GSTC Standards & Performance Indicators, GSTC Certification, and Developing a Sustainable Policy and Strategy, indicating strong interest in both foundational knowledge and practical implementation.
