Lao educators build skills in sustainable tourism in Thailand

Through the Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme, six Lao educators and trainers – representing technical colleges and government ministries – recently took part in specialised training and a global exchange of expertise at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) conference in Phuket, Thailand. Equipped with deeper knowledge of internationally recognised sustainability standards, they will now work to embed these practices in tourism and hospitality curricula across Lao PDR.

The GSTC manages standards for sustainable travel and tourism, providing the foundation for the recognised accreditation of accommodation providers, tour operators and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. Through its comprehensive range of accredited tourism standards and associated training programmes, the GSTC aims to equip individuals and institutions with the practical knowledge and tools needed to implement internationally recognised sustainability standards.

Representing the Ministry of Education and Sports’ Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Pakpasak Technical College, Luang Prabang Technical-Vocational College, the Technical College of Vientiane Province and Champasak Technical College, as well as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Institute of Culture and Tourism, participants undertook an intensive two-day training programme. The training provided deeper insights into sustainable tourism and GSTC standards, drawing on case studies highlighting good practices in sustainable tourism implementation. 

Following the training, they joined 600 tourism professionals from around the world at the GSTC Annual Conference 2026, where they networked, attended presentations and took part in panel discussions on a range of topics, including sustainability education for travel and tourism, operating sustainable events, reducing food waste, micro and small enterprise certification, and improving accessibility to tourism attractions and facilities for people with disabilities.

Upon returning to Lao PDR, these educators and trainers will be further supported by the STAF programme to integrate sustainability initiatives into their training centres and to embed sustainability within the tourism and hospitality courses and curricula, as well as the training programmes they deliver.

The six-year (2023–2028) STAF programme is co-financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the European Union, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports together with LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.