Agoda, in partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), has launched the Sustainable Tourism Academy, a free digital training platform aimed at providing hoteliers in Asia with practical tools and knowledge on sustainability.
The initiative responds to growing demand from travellers seeking sustainable accommodation and seeks to support transformation within the region’s hotel industry.
The platform offers tailored content that addresses specific sustainability challenges faced across South-east Asia, with modules available in English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, and Indonesian.
Designed for busy hospitality professionals, the self-paced platform includes interactive exercises, case studies, assessments, and discussion boards to engage users. Topics cover how to attract sustainability-focused guests and develop effective sustainability strategies, drawing on examples from hotels throughout Asia.
Upon completing the training, participants receive a certificate jointly issued by GSTC and Agoda, formally recognising their knowledge and skills in sustainable tourism.
The curriculum is based on the GSTC Standard, the global benchmark for sustainability in travel and tourism, and covers sustainable management, socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental impacts. Content was developed by Agoda’s Sustainability Team in collaboration with GSTC and experts.
Damien Pfirsch, chief commercial officer at Agoda, shared: “Through the Sustainable Tourism Academy, Agoda and GSTC are equipping hoteliers to drive meaningful change within the industry. Agoda is committed to scaling up this initiative, and by offering this platform free of charge, we’re making sustainability education accessible, practical, and impactful for everyone in the Asian hospitality sector, from kitchen staff to general managers.”
GSTC CEO Randy Durband, added: “By providing free access to practical, localised sustainability training, GSTC and Agoda are empowering hoteliers to take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to making sustainability not just an aspiration, but a standard practice across the region.”
The platform launched on May 30 at an event in Bangkok attended by over 100 hospitality professionals, highlighting key trends and challenges in sustainable tourism. The Sustainable Tourism Academy is free and open to all, reflecting Agoda and GSTC’s commitment to advancing sustainability in the travel sector.
