The digital travel platform Agoda partnered with the Government of Goa and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to conduct a hotel sustainability training workshop. The event occurred on November 28-29, 2023, at Park Regis, Goa. Local hoteliers participated in a two-day program featuring industry experts-led sessions to enhance sustainability practices.
During the training, participants delved into practical insights from top-tier sustainability practices and real hotel case studies. They utilized the GSTC Industry Criteria, acknowledged globally as a sustainability standard in travel and tourism, as a checklist. This empowered attendees to evaluate their performance and establish feasible short-, medium-, and long-term sustainability objectives.
Krishna Rathi, Agoda country director India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives, shared his views on the initiative and said, “We are honoured to announce our partnership with the Government of Goa and the GSTC for the inaugural session of our Hotel Sustainability Training in India. This initiative, a modest yet important step, aligns with the Goa Roadmap and ‘Travel for LiFE,’ contributing to our collective vision. Agoda is committed to fostering responsible connections between people and destinations. Embracing sustainability practices is more crucial than ever for a more sustainable future in the hospitality industry. With the right knowledge and tools, we aim to accelerate this evolution.”
Suneel Anchipaka, the director of tourism (Goa), at the opening ceremony of the training, commented, “Our government has made sustainable tourism a top priority, and this initiative by Agoda aligns seamlessly with our vision. By equipping hotel professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt sustainability practices at their properties, we can create a more responsible and resilient tourism industry in Goa. I encourage all hotel professionals to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about sustainable tourism and what practices they can incorporate into their daily operations.”
Over two hundred hoteliers have participated in the GSTC/Agoda program in previous editions held in Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Hotel Sustainability Training in Goa saw over forty participants in its inaugural edition. Notable attendees included general managers and senior executives from hotels like Accor, Kenilworth Resort & Spa, Park Regis Goa, and Radisson Goa Candolim.
