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Etijah Named World’s Leading Sustainable Education & Training Programme at WSTHA 2025
Etijah was honored with the World’s Leading Sustainable Education & Training Programme title at the WSTHA 2025, underscoring a global shift in hospitality towards sustainability.
Dubai, UAE — Etijah, a pioneering sustainability training organization, was awarded the World’s Leading Sustainable Education & Training Programme at the 2025 World Sustainable Tourism Hospitality Awards (WSTHA), held in Dubai on November 20. The accolade recognizes Etijah’s innovative approach to embedding sustainability practices within the global hospitality workforce. This award marks a significant milestone in the hospitality industry's transition towards more environmentally responsible operations. As climate concerns escalate and consumer preferences shift towards greener travel, education platforms like Etijah are vital in equipping hospitality professionals with the skills necessary to meet these demands sustainably and effectively.
Why Sustainable Training Is Critical Now
The hospitality sector accounts for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). As governments tighten environmental regulations and travelers prioritize sustainability, the need for specialized workforce training has become urgent. Etijah’s curriculum, which combines practical skills with sustainability science, positions it uniquely to address this gap. Moreover, the industry faces a labor shortage exacerbated by high turnover rates and evolving skill requirements. Sustainability training not only improves environmental outcomes but also enhances worker engagement and retention by aligning values and skills. Etijah’s recognition by WSTHA signals a broader industry acknowledgment that sustainability competencies are essential for future-proofing hospitality careers.
Etijah’s Framework and Global Reach
Founded in 2018, Etijah operates across more than 20 countries, delivering programs tailored to diverse hospitality sectors, including hotels, restaurants, and event management. Their training modules cover energy efficiency, waste reduction, responsible sourcing, and social impact, all anchored in internationally recognized sustainability standards such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Etijah’s hands-on approach combines classroom learning with digital tools and fieldwork, allowing trainees to implement real-time sustainability practices. Partnerships with industry leaders, including Marriott International and Accor, have expanded the program’s reach, integrating sustainability into corporate training frameworks. These collaborations demonstrate how private-public synergy can accelerate workforce transformation in hospitality.
Etijah’s recognition by WSTHA signals a broader industry acknowledgment that sustainability competencies are essential for future-proofing hospitality careers.
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Read More →Industry Perspectives and Challenges
Industry leaders laud Etijah’s certification as a benchmark for quality and relevance. Marriott International’s Vice President of Sustainability, Jennifer Fox, noted, "Training programs like Etijah’s provide the critical knowledge and practical skills our teams need to drive impactful change on the front lines of hospitality."[1]
However, challenges remain. The adoption of sustainable practices varies widely across regions due to differing economic priorities and infrastructure capabilities. Smaller hospitality businesses often struggle to finance training initiatives or retrofit operations for sustainability. Etijah addresses this by offering tiered training packages and leveraging technology to reduce costs, but scaling remains an ongoing hurdle. Additionally, measuring the long-term impact of sustainability training poses difficulties. While immediate benefits like reduced energy use and waste are trackable, the cultural shifts and behavioral changes among staff require longitudinal studies. Etijah is collaborating with academic institutions to develop metrics that capture these dimensions more effectively.
Global Trends Driving Sustainable Hospitality Education
Consumer demand for eco-friendly travel options has surged, with Booking.com reporting that 74% of global travelers in 2025 actively seek sustainable accommodations.[2] This trend pressures hospitality providers to demonstrate credible green credentials, often through staff competencies and certifications. At the governmental level, policies are increasingly incentivizing sustainability education. The European Union’s Green Deal emphasizes workforce upskilling, including in tourism sectors, with funding mechanisms supporting programs like Etijah’s. Similarly, Singapore’s SkillsFuture initiative includes sustainability modules tailored to hospitality professionals.[3]
These macro forces are converging to create a robust ecosystem where sustainable training is not just an option but a necessity for competitive advantage in hospitality markets worldwide.
Implications for Hospitality Careers and Education
For hospitality workers, proficiency in sustainability is rapidly becoming a key differentiator in recruitment and career advancement. Training providers such as Etijah offer certifications that validate expertise, enhancing employability in a crowded market. Educational institutions are also revising curricula to embed sustainability in hospitality management degrees, aligning academic outcomes with industry needs. Employers benefit from reduced operational costs and improved brand reputation when staff are trained in sustainable practices. This, in turn, attracts a growing segment of environmentally conscious consumers and investors. As the sector evolves, continuous learning and adaptation will be essential to keep pace with technological innovations and regulatory changes.
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Read More →Looking ahead, the success of programs like Etijah’s signals a strategic pivot within hospitality education. Professionals and educators alike must prioritize sustainability not as an add-on but as a core competency. Policymakers can accelerate this transition by incentivizing scalable training solutions and supporting research into effective workforce development models. The hospitality industry’s ability to reconcile growth with environmental stewardship hinges on such concerted efforts.
References
Marriott International, "Sustainability Initiatives and Workforce Training," Marriott CSR Report, 2025, marriott.com (accessed Nov 2025). Booking.com, "Sustainable Travel Report 2025," Booking Holdings, 2025, booking.com. European Commission, "The European Green Deal and Skills Development," 2024, ec.europa.eu. UNEP, "Tourism and Climate Change: Emissions and Mitigation," United Nations Environment Programme, 2023, unep.org.
