Global Sustainable Tourism Council and Tokyu Hotels Sign First Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Hotels in Japan

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international non-profit organization that establishes and manages global standards for sustainable tourism, headquartered in the United States with CEO Randy Durband, and Tokyu Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director Takashi Takei, hereinafter referred to as Tokyu Hotels), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Tokyo on June 10, 2026.

Left: Takashi Takei, President and Representative Director of Tokyu Hotels & Resorts; Right: Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC

Main Objectives of the MOU

The purpose of this MOU is for both parties to cooperate in promoting sustainable tourism and hotel operations, facilitating the dissemination of international standards, human resource development, information sharing, and continuous improvement. Specific details are as follows:

1. Utilization of GSTC Standard Framework

Tokyu Hotels will consider utilizing the GSTC Standards as a framework for its sustainability roadmap, goals, and KPIs that will be developed and promoted in the future. GSTC will provide Tokyu Hotels with access to GSTC Standards, international knowledge, case studies, and networks to support its sustainable initiatives.

2. Promotion of Sustainable Hotel Operations and Supply Chains

Based on the GSTC Standards, Tokyu Hotels aims to expand its products, services, and operational structures that consider environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects. Furthermore, it will promote close collaboration with partners, suppliers, and GSTC-certified hotels to advance sustainable initiatives throughout the entire supply chain.

3. Education, Training, and Human Resource Development

Both parties will cooperate on educational, training, and awareness activities aimed at improving knowledge of GSTC Standards and sustainable tourism among Tokyu Hotels' employees, suppliers, and related stakeholders. Recognizing the importance of nurturing the next generation of tourism and hospitality professionals, they will also explore future human resource development and collaboration with educational institutions.

4. Information Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing

Through seminars, workshops, case studies, and knowledge sharing, both parties will collaborate to promote understanding and raise awareness of sustainable tourism in the Japanese and international markets. They will also discuss the expansion of sustainability-related content for the Japanese market.

Comments

<Takashi Takei, President and Representative Director, Tokyu Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd.>

Leveraging this MOU with GSTC as an opportunity, we aim to further enhance and promote our sustainability strategy by utilizing international knowledge and standards, thereby contributing to the globalization and improved international competitiveness of Japan's tourism and hotel market. By incorporating GSTC Standards into our consciousness, we will drive behavioral change and strive to enhance our brand power and operational competitiveness as a global hotel operator.

<Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC>

We are very pleased to begin our collaboration with Tokyu Hotels & Resorts. The company's adoption of GSTC Standards as a guideline for promoting sustainability is a significant step towards realizing sustainable tourism and the hospitality industry. We look forward to working with Tokyu Hotels & Resorts to further advance sustainable initiatives across Japan's hotel operations and entire supply chain through knowledge sharing and human resource development.

About the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is an international non-profit organization that establishes and manages the "GSTC Standards," the global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. Founded in 2007 with the support of organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, now UN Tourism), it currently has diverse stakeholders from around the world as members, including national governments, tourism boards, hotels, travel agencies, certification bodies, and NGOs.

GSTC is not an organization that directly certifies tourism businesses. Instead, it supports the promotion of sustainable tourism by accrediting third-party certification bodies for sustainable tourism, disseminating international standards, and providing human resource development and training.

- GSTC Website (Japanese): https://www.gstc.org/?lang=ja

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