The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course was delivered in a private training session sponsored by the Hyuga and East Usuki Wide-Area Tourism Promotion Council for its employees and stakeholders, reinforcing the region’s commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism development.
The training took place in Misato Town, adjacent to Hyuga City, Miyazaki, Japan, from 10 to 12 December 2025, and brought together 15 tourism professionals. The private course was led by Dr. Mami Futagami, Professor Emeritus at Meijo University, who shared academic expertise and practical insights on the application of the GSTC Standards (known previously as GSTC Criteria), which serve as the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism.
As part of the training, participants visited several sites, including the Western Shōsō-in, the Hall of Baekje, and local farmers’ markets, allowing them to explore firsthand how cultural heritage, local production, and community-based initiatives contribute to sustainable destination management.
This private course reflects GSTC’s continued collaboration with regional tourism stakeholders in Japan to strengthen capacity building and advance the integration of sustainability into destination-level tourism strategies.
“I was excited to lead a GSTC training for professionals from Hyuga and East Usuki Wide-Area involved in the Regional Tourism Promotion Council’s sustainable tourism efforts. This was the second time I had visited this region to conduct the training, and I noticed a stronger bond among the council members from one city, two towns, and two villages as they worked together on their shared vision to make the area a more sustainable destination,” said Dr. Futagami.
If you are interested in deepening your understanding of sustainable tourism and learning how to apply the GSTC Standards in practice, upcoming GSTC Sustainable Tourism Courses are held regularly around the world and online, open to professionals from all sectors of the tourism industry. For more information about future training opportunities, please click here.
