Thursday, August 22, 2024 Agoda, GSTC, and USAID hosted a two-day sustainable tourism training in Colombo, equipping over 50 hoteliers with essential skills and knowledge. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in collaboration with Agoda and the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), successfully wrapped up a comprehensive Hotel Sustainability Training for industry professionals on August 2nd, 2024. The two-day event, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, was designed to empower hoteliers with the essential skills and knowledge to adopt sustainable tourism practices in accordance with the GSTC Criteria, the recognized global standards for sustainability in the travel and tourism sector. Hosted at the Taj Samudra Colombo Hotel, the training attracted over 50 participants from various sectors of the hospitality industry.
Attendees included representatives from renowned international chains like Hilton Colombo and Radisson Hotel Group, domestic players such as Aitken Spence and Oak Ray Hotels and Resorts, and independent establishments like The Merchant Galle Fort and Galadari Hotel Colombo. The event featured an interactive platform where participants could deepen their understanding of sustainable development. GSTC trainers, Mr.
CB Ramkumar, Vice-chair & Trainer at GSTC, and Mr. Chinthana Duminduhewa, provided expert guidance throughout the sessions. The opening ceremony was graced by notable figures including Mr.
Douglas Sonnek, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, and Mr.
Upali Ratnayake, Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, who emphasized the importance of sustainability in the hospitality industry. “The concept of sustainable tourism is gaining momentum as more travelers become aware of the environmental and social impacts of their journeys,” said DCM Sonnek . “Whether it’s seen as a trend or something more enduring, we all share a responsibility—both as travelers and as part of the tourism industry—to reduce any negative effects on the environment.
The United States supports sustainable tourism because it not only protects our planet but also ensures that communities around the world can benefit from tourism in a way that is fair, responsible, and long-lasting.” This event represents the seventh successful training collaboration between Agoda and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and the third in partnership with USAID under the U.S.
Support for Economic Growth in Asia (US-SEGA) initiative. Building on the momentum of previous sessions conducted in Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, India, and Nepal, this latest training has continued the mission of enhancing sustainability in the hospitality industry. Over 360 hoteliers have already benefited from these earlier programs, furthering their commitment to sustainable tourism practices across Asia.
Tourism has traditionally been an important sector for Sri Lanka, but more so now as it embarks on its journey towards full economic recovery. The sector and its professionals are doing their best to contribute towards this and we saw evidence of this during the training. The enthusiasm of the executives and active participation was commendable.
Their passion, keenness to absorb new knowledge and wholehearted commitment to sustainable tourism was fully evident. It was an absolute pleasure to work with the group, and I wish them all the very best,” said Mr. CB Ramkumar , Vice Chair of GSTC .
“Sri Lanka is an important market for Agoda, and expanding our training program in partnership with GSTC and USAID has been a great way to support the sustainable development of the local tourism industry. It was also insightful to meet our partners and learn about their ongoing sustainable initiatives over the two days. We hope this training will accelerate their journey towards certification,” said Boratay Uysal , CSR & Sustainability Senior Manager of Agoda .
Participants in the training had the opportunity to explore best practices and analyze real-world hotel case studies, gaining an in-depth understanding of the GSTC Hotel Criteria. This hands-on approach allowed attendees to engage deeply with the principles of sustainable tourism. Upon completing the course, participants received a certificate of attendance, marking a significant step toward earning the GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism.
To achieve this certification, participants are eligible to take an online exam offered by GSTC within four weeks following the training. Additionally, the U.S.
Support for Economic Growth in Asia (US-SEGA) initiative, as part of its Sustainable Tourism Development Initiative, offers scholarships to help participants cover the cost of the official GSTC Sustainable Tourism Exam..
