Sustainable Travel International announces auditor and consultant training course in Ireland

WHITE SALMON, Washington – Registration is now open for Sustainable Travel International’s annual Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program™ (STEP) Auditor & Consultant Training. The program will take place November 12-17, 2011, at Belle Isle Castle & Cottages in Ireland.

The STEP Auditor & Consultant Training Program is a professional development opportunity for auditors (or those interested in becoming auditors), tourism and sustainability professionals, environmental managers, consultants, students, or anyone looking to gain a competitive advantage in the sustainable travel and tourism industry.

The comprehensive and intensive training is centered around sustainable tourism development, the STEP Standard and certification process, and the STEP Sustainability Management Framework.

Additionally, the classroom training is capped off with a complete on-site assessment of the accommodations, a unique hands-on experience. Attendees who complete the course will become STI-accredited assessors, with the ability to perform remote and on-site audits for STI.

“The STEP Auditor & Consultant Training Program was the best professional development opportunity I have had in a long time,” said Dr. Louise Twining-Ward, a former course participant, “The caliber of trainees was high, which made for interesting networking and stimulating discussion. The work was challenging but not impossible. The hours were long, but well worth it.”

“The live on-site assessment was the highlight,” Twining-Ward continued, “It made the classroom learning come alive. We took three days to assess the host facilities. This hands-on practical experience gave me the confidence to implement the program. As a sustainable tourism professional, I found the experience highly rewarding. It has proven to be a successful endeavor and a useful investment.”

Applicants may enroll in the course here.

TRAINING DETAILS

Course Includes:

• 3 days of training on the STEP standard and certification process

• 3 day on-site assessment and audit of an accommodation

• Access to the STEP Sustainability Management Framework

• STEP Standard and prerequisite course materials

• Examination fees, evaluation, and certificate of completion

• Room,meals, and transportation are not included, but are available as an optional discounted package rate through Belle Isle. Please contact us for more information.

Logistics:

• 6-day training course: GBP £1100

• Optional: Belle Isle Accommodations Package (not included). 6-days and 5 nights, plus 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

• Other accommodations are available within a 10K radius of the training facilities.

• Course begins at 8:00am on Nov. 12 and ends at 4:00pm on Nov. 17

ABOUT STEP ECO-CERTIFICATION

Trainees will become accredited in a globally-recognized sustainable tourism standard.

STEP is the global standard for sustainable travel and tourism. It is an international certification, fully aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) and impending global accreditation. STI has certified businesses around the world, from Africa and the Americas to Asia and Europe.

The STEP Sustainability Management Framework is an online educational tool and practical resource for organizations who wish to self-assess their sustainability efforts and establish benchmarks. STI also provides STEP applicants with a Planning & Reporting Guidebook, policy templates, and support services to help prepare for certification.

ABOUT SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL

Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable development through responsible travel by providing programs that help travelers, businesses, and destinations protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage, and contribute to economic development. STI specializes in providing market-driven programs that generate tangible results and affect systemic change.

Sustainable Travel is a member of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP), a force for socially responsible and green travel that supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. ICTP supports and promotes destinations with a shared belief in well-managed travel and tourism as a driver of community business, jobs, well being, and happiness.