STB hosts workshop to drive sustainable tourism forward
Seated (from left to right) Mary Malangking (Deputy Permanent Secretary I, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah), Kingston Khoo (GSTC Trainer), Julinus Jeffery Jimit (CEO, Sabah Tourism Board), Randy Durband (CEO, GSTC), and Grace Pounsin (Yayasan Sabah Group), with the workshop participants.
KOTA KINABALU (June 9): In a significant step toward advancing responsible and environmentally conscious travel practices, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) High-Level Workshop was held on June 3 at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu.
The full-day workshop brought together 80 key tourism stakeholders — consisting of tourism associations, government departments and agencies, and academicians.
Organised by the Sabah Tourism Board, the workshop featured distinguished speakers from GSTC: Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC, and Kingston Khoo, a certified GSTC trainer. Both experts led insightful sessions that introduced participants to the GSTC criteria and provided guidance on sustainable tourism implementation.
The workshop was officially opened by Datuk Josie Lai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, who emphasised Sabah's responsibility as a steward of its natural and cultural treasures:
'Sustainable tourism is not just a goal; it is a necessity to safeguard Sabah's environment and culture for future generations while supporting economic growth and community well-being,' she said.
Following her keynote address, Julinus Jeffery Jimit, CEO of Sabah Tourism Board, delivered a briefing on the importance of GSTC in guiding Sabah's sustainable tourism efforts. He mentioned that the objective for implementing the GSTC criteria is to align Sabah's tourism sector with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by integrating these global standards. This approach enhances Sabah's international credibility, fosters sustainable business opportunities, and strengthens its position as a premier ecotourism destination on the world stage.
Sabah is already making significant progress, with three key sites — Maliau Basin, Imbak Canyon, and the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley — having achieved GSTC certification, demonstrating local commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism best practices.
The workshop provided an in-depth overview of sustainable tourism principles, current global trends, and the pivotal role of the GSTC and its international standards in guiding both public and private sector practices. The morning sessions highlighted successful case studies from abroad, providing helpful information regarding real-world implementation of sustainability in tourism.
A highlight of the day was a sharing session by Grace Pounsin from Yayasan Sabah Group, who detailed their successful journey in achieving GSTC certification for the Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon Conservation Areas — powerful examples of Sabah's leadership in conservation and sustainability.
The afternoon sessions focused on local context, emphasising the role of various stakeholders in applying GSTC standards in Sabah. Interactive discussions encouraged participants to explore practical and collaborative approaches to enhancing sustainability across the tourism value chain.
In his closing remarks, Julinus encouraged all participants to turn knowledge into action: 'We now have a clearer understanding of how sustainable tourism can drive real change for our communities and ecosystems. Let us take the GSTC standards and make them part of how we plan, operate and innovate in Sabah's tourism sector. Together, we can ensure that tourism development benefits both people and the planet.'
As Sabah eyes a sustainable future, this workshop marks a critical milestone in embedding sustainability into its tourism strategy.
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