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Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC Chief Assurance Officer, participated in the high-level Regional Workshop on Promoting Green and Sustainable Tourism, held from 24–26 November 2025 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
National and international guest speakers, private-sector representatives, development partners, national and international organizations, and approximately 250 participants from across the region also attended the ceremony, including Mr. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, who delivered the opening remarks.
The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia with the support of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and served as a regional platform for strengthening capacity, exchanging best practices, and supporting the transition toward a more responsible, inclusive, and climate-resilient tourism development.
Dr. Kang contributed to the technical program through her presentation, “Navigating Sustainability: GSTC Standards for Tourism Quality and Competitiveness.” In this session, she explained how the GSTC Standards (formerly known as the GSTC Criteria) provide a globally recognized framework for enhancing sustainability performance across destinations and tourism businesses. She outlined their role in strengthening destination management, elevating service quality, safeguarding natural and cultural assets, and supporting long-term competitiveness. Her intervention addressed the challenges facing the tourism industry and underscored the critical importance of effective policy in implementing global standards to support the recovery and growth of tourism.
“Sustainability needs to be woven into policy, planning, and operations if we want tourism to create long-term value for destinations, communities, and the environment,” said Dr. Kang.
In addition to her presentation, Dr. Kang participated as a panelist in the high-level discussion “Championing Positive Transformation: Advancing Regional Leadership in Sustainable Tourism.” The session brought together representatives from government bodies, cultural institutions, and tourism businesses to explore pathways for collaboration and leadership in sustainable tourism across the region.
The workshop served as a platform to share knowledge, best practices, and tools to advance sustainable tourism in the region.
