Course Description

This specialized course equips participants with the knowledge and tools to design, implement, and maintain a sustainability management system (SMS) for tourism and accommodation facilities in alignment with ISO 21401:2018. Participants will learn how to manage environmental, social, and economic aspects in hotels, resorts, and similar establishments to promote responsible tourism and operational excellence. The training covers planning, stakeholder engagement, sustainable resource management, and continual improvement practices that enhance guest experience while minimizing negative impacts on local communities and ecosystems. The course connects ISO 21401 with related frameworks, including ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 26000 (social responsibility), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What you’ll learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the scope, principles, and structure of ISO 21401:2018.

• Identify and assess sustainability issues across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.

• Establish sustainability objectives, policies, and performance indicators for accommodation services.

• Develop and implement a sustainability management system with effective monitoring and reporting mechanisms.

• Engage stakeholders, employees, guests, suppliers, and local communities, in sustainability initiatives.

• Evaluate performance and ensure continual improvement toward sustainable operations.

• Prepare for internal and third-party audits for ISO 21401 certification.

Who should attend

• Hotel and resort managers

• Sustainability and ESG officers

• Travel and tourism consultants

• Facility and operations managers

• Quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE) professionals

• Hospitality trainers and educators

• Tourism policymakers and government representatives

Recommended

• Basic awareness of operations in hospitality or accommodation services

• Interest in sustainability, environmental, social, or governance (ESG) issues

• Willingness to review operational processes and implement organizational change