GSTC at the 2025 Chungcheongnam-do Sustainable Tourism Forum

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) participated in the 2025 Chungcheongnam-do Sustainable Tourism Forum, held on the 17th of December 2025 in Gongju, Republic of Korea.

Event Overview
- Date & Venue: 17 December 2025, Gongju, Republic of Korea.
- Organizers: Chungcheongnam-do Social Economy Support Center & Korea Sustainable Tourism Network.
- Theme: “Revitalising People and Regions: Opening Chungcheongnam-do’s Future through Sustainable Tourism.”
- Participants: Public institutions, tourism organizations, cooperatives, and industry stakeholders.

GSTC’s Role
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mihee Kang, GSTC Chief Assurance Officer.
- Focus of Address:
- Importance of GSTC Standards in regional development.
- Translating sustainability commitments into practical, measurable outcomes.
- Sharing best practices from GSTC member destinations and businesses.

Key Takeaways
- Forum provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration on sustainable tourism.
- Emphasis on community-led tourism models, climate-responsive strategies, and policy approaches.
- Contributions from local businesses and community networks expected to inspire greater stakeholder engagement.
- GSTC reaffirmed its mission in the Asia-Pacific region to increase knowledge, adoption, and demand for sustainable tourism practices.

✅ In short: GSTC used the Chungcheongnam-do Forum to highlight how sustainability standards can drive regional vitality, resilience, and long-term development, while encouraging collaboration among communities and institutions.