6 minutes

The course in a nutshell

On the 25th and 26th of September, join this 2-day-long in-person and interactive training class in Tarvisio (Italy): a convenient way to improve your sustainability skills while at the same time learning alongside GSTC experts and fellow sustainable tourism practitioners. The GSTC Italy Working Group organizes the course in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

The course is aimed at current and future tourism professionals.

After the training on September 27th and 28th you will also be able to join the Sustainable Tourism Forum. More details will be provided soon, if you like to be kept informed please register to the Italy Working Group Newsletter here.

For info: federica.bosco@etifor.com

Date and time

  • 25–26 September 2025
  • From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location
  • Hotel Nevada, Via G. Kugy, 8, 33018 Tarvisio UD

Further information

  • Format: in person
  • Language: English. If 100% of participants are Italian speakers, the course will be held in Italian.
  • Trainer: Federica Bosco, official GSTC trainer

The focus of the course: GSTC standards

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, the GSTC Standards, also known as the GSTC Criteria.

These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for nature conservation and poverty alleviation.

They are arranged in four pillars:

  1. Sustainable management;
  2. Socioeconomic impacts;
  3. Cultural impacts;
  4. Environmental impacts.

Why join the course?

The course is an amazing opportunity to get to know fellow colleagues and sustainability practitioners, enrich your understanding of sustainable tourism and also embark on debates and constructive conversations and group exercises. The training will offer practical insights and expert guidance to help tourism destinations and businesses, at various stages of their sustainability journey, make informed decisions on how to implement sustainability practices and how to develop viable sustainable tourism strategies for their organizations and destinations. Everyone is welcome! Bring your curiosity, best practices and doubts (they are also most welcome). The training will be held in English.

The course is organized by the GSTC Italy Working Group in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

The GSTC Standards are a valuable starting point for all destinations and businesses working in tourism but there is a need to translate sustainability from words to actions. For this reason, the GSTC Italy Working Group* is organizing a GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Course for any stakeholders working for sustainable tourism, to deliver an in-depth understanding of the GSTC Standards. 

The training will offer practical insights and expert guidance to help tourism destinations and businesses, at various stages of their sustainability journey, make informed decisions on how to implement sustainability practices and how to develop viable sustainable tourism strategies for their organizations and destinations.

The training will focus on both GSTC Destination and Industry Standards allowing  attendees to become familiar with their meaning. This two-day in-person training class will combine trainer presentations, group discussions and exercises with hands-on learning opportunities, focused on tangible action steps to applying the Standards.

Course fees and payment

Registration fees
  • Before September 5th, 2025 and always for all GSTC members = early-bird registration fee: € 350,00 per person (VAT included)
  • After 5th September, 2025 = regular registration fee: € 400,00 per person (VAT included)
Payment information

You have to pay the registration fee to complete the registration, in the subscription form proof of payment will be required. 

To pay, please make a bank transfer with this object “GSTC COURSE TARVISIO 25+ your organization or name and surname”

Bank transfer details

Banca Popolare Etica – Filiale di Padova
Via Tommaseo n. 7 35100 Padova (PD) – ITALY
CIN: O ABI: 05018
CAB: 12101
CC: 000011382611
IBAN/EU IBAN: IT80O0501812101000011382611
Codice BIC/BIC code: ETICIT22XXX

Information on the recipient of the payment:
Etifor S.r.l. Società Benefit
Piazza A. De Gasperi 41
35131 Padova, Italia
P.IVA 04570440281
cod. destinatario SUBM70N
etifor@etifor.com
etifor@pec.etifor.it

FAQ

By completing this 2-day training class, you will have the opportunity to take the official GSTC Sustainable Tourism Course Exam, and upon successful completion, receive a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism by the GSTC to demonstrate your personal knowledge of sustainable tourism standards and practices.

Federica Bosco, an Official GSTC Trainer and holds a Master’s degree in Tourism Economics and Management from the University of Bologna. Her main research interests include destination management, sustainable tourism, and slow tourism. Federica works as Sustainable Tourism Manager for Etifor’s Tourism Program, supporting destinations and organizations in the application of sustainable tourism principles defined by the GSTC. In recent years she has accompanied several organizations towards GSTC certification. Federica currently holds the position of Vice-Chair of the Italy Working Group: a network of Italian organizations oriented towards sustainable tourism. 

During the course you will have the opportunity to learn from the case studies of the Albergo Diffuso di Sauris and S. Vigilio di Marebbe.

As part of your registration for an onsite class, you will receive:

  • Training materials to be provided prior to the class;
  • Coffee breaks and lunch during the class;
  • The Certificate of Completion confirming your attendance in the class;
  • The opportunity to take the official STTP Exam. Please note: The GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Exam for the issue of Professional Certificate is optional and the relative fee (US$ 75 per person) is NOT included in the above course registration fee.

In case the participant wishes to withdraw their registration, the following cancellation fees will be withheld:

  • Before September 5th: 20% of the total fee
  • After September 5th: 100% of the total fee (tickets are however, transferable)

The training will be confirmed upon reaching the minimum number of 15 participants by Sept. 5th. In case of cancellation due to failure to reach the threshold, the participation fee will be fully refunded.