This 3-day intensive training program on tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included an opportunity to introduce the GSTC Criteria to the homeland of the Mongol Empire which existed during the 13th and 14th centuries, becoming the largest contiguous land empire in history.

Co-organized by the Ulaanbaatar City Tourism Department and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the training was aimed at increasing knowledge of the tourism specialists and learning from the world trends in tourism.

A total of 150 specialists from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ulaanbaatar City Tourism Department, the Development Center of Tourism, specialists in charge of tourism from districts and 21 aimags, other private organizations and entities are attending the training.

“The government of Mongolia has a commitment to the SDGs and is keen to learn more about how tourism can assist the country to contribute to each of the 17 goals” said Steve.

“This 3 day intensive training project will pilot a new approach to informing the country about tourism and the SDGs and the relevance of the minimum international standards for sustainable tourism developed by the GSTC – and, hopefully we will also have a new nation active in future GSTC membership!” he added.

Since the formation of the GSTC, Steve Noakes has been an active GSTC volunteer contributor across Asia Pacific,  undertaking the initial introduction of the GSTC is destinations such as Bhutan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Fiji and Samoa.