Japan Tourism Agency-Backed Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Sustainable Tourism Training Programs Triumph in Five Japanese Destinations

Monday, April 1, 2024

In 2020, the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) became a Destination Member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and went on to host a series of five GSTC-endorsed Sustainable Tourism Training sessions across various Japanese locales for local tourism representatives and stakeholders within the tourism sector.

The sessions unfolded as follows:

• In Takayama, Gifu, from August 29 to 31, 2023, attendees explored the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall, gaining insights into cultural heritage preservation.
• Biei, Hokkaido, hosted its session from November 6 to 8, 2023, where participants explored notable attractions including the Shirogane Blue Pond.
• From November 14 to 16, 2023, Aso, Kumamoto, offered a deep dive into the Aso Caldera, Japan’s largest volcano, and discussions on using tourism to support the conservation of diminishing grasslands.
• Tsuruoka, Yamagata, welcomed participants from November 17 to 19, 2023, providing an immersive experience with local pilgrim lodging history.
• Lastly, Towada, Aomori, held its session from December 1 to 3, 2023, focusing on environmental and biodiversity education around Lake Towada at the Towada Visitor Center.

These training sessions were facilitated by esteemed GSTC trainers: Mami Futagami, a distinguished Professor Emeritus at Meijo University, and Kazuhiro Arai, from Daisetsuzan Nature School. They imparted their extensive knowledge and practical insights to the collective 90 participants across all sessions.

The Sustainable Tourism Course offered by GSTC not only equipped participants with vital knowledge and skills for promoting sustainable tourism initiatives but also introduced them to the GSTC Criteria – the international standards for sustainability in tourism and travel. Through global and local case studies, the program enriched participants’ learning experience.

Completing the course awarded participants a certificate, and they were given the option to take an additional official examination to earn the GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism, marking a significant step towards contributing to the sustainable evolution of the tourism industry.

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