SINGAPORE, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) celebrate the first anniversary of the Sustainable Tourism Academy, a joint effort to drive more sustainable practices across Asia. Marking its first full year since inception, the Academy continues to support hospitality professionals across the region in building practical knowledge on sustainable tourism, based on the GSTC Hotel Standard.

Since its launch, the Academy has surpassed 3,000 registered users. Together with the in-person training programs GSTC and Agoda have been delivering since 2022, the partnership has collectively reached over 3,500 industry professionals.

Randy Durband, GSTC CEO, said: “Education and training are one of the most powerful ways to inspire meaningful change in tourism. One year after its launch, the Sustainable Tourism Academy reminds us that when knowledge is made accessible, more people are empowered to take practical steps toward sustainability. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Agoda and all learners who are part of this journey.”

The majority of registered users are based across Asian markets, with India, Thailand, and Malaysia representing the largest user bases. Other key markets include Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Academy users represent a diverse cross-section of the region’s hospitality sector, from professionals at leading global hotel groups like Accor Group, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and ONYX Hospitality Group, to independent operators and hospitality students from institutions such as the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply, Agoda, said: “At Agoda, we aim to be a trusted partner our hotel partners turn to as they navigate their sustainability journeys. By making high-caliber, localized resources like the Sustainable Tourism Academy freely accessible, we are proud to equip our partners and the wider industry with the practical tools and knowledge aligned with international standards.”

Marking its anniversary, the Sustainable Tourism Academy was also recognized by ASEAN as a key regional resource for capacity building. Moving forward, Agoda and GSTC will collaborate with ASEAN Member States to expand the Academy’s reach and drive more sustainable practices across the region.

Congratulating both organizations on the milestone, Philippine Tourism Undersecretary Verna C. Buensuceso, Chair of the ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), emphasized the alignment between the Academy’s mission and the region’s long-term economic and environmental goals: “The ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) welcome the continued growth of the Sustainable Tourism Academy and its contribution to strengthening sustainability knowledge and capacity among tourism stakeholders across the region. As ASEAN advances the implementation of the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan (ATSP) 2026–2030, initiatives such as this help equip tourism professionals with practical tools and knowledge to support sustainable, resilient, and quality tourism development. We commend Agoda and GSTC for this achievement and look forward to continued collaboration in promoting sustainable tourism practices across the region.”

The Academy now supports seven languages: English, Vietnamese, Malay, Thai, and Indonesian, as well as the recent additions of Japanese and Korean. The most popular courses of the Academy include GSTC Standards & Performance Indicators, GSTC Certification, and Developing a Sustainable Policy and Strategy, highlighting the sector’s interest in both foundational sustainability knowledge and practical implementation.

Learn more about the Sustainable Tourism Academy and enroll today here:
https://sustainabletourismacademy.org/.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/sustainable-tourism-academy-celebrates-3-000-user-milestone-in-first-year-with-asean-expansion-and-new-language-support-302812884.html

SOURCE Agoda

Infrastructure, Investment and Vietnam’s Next Growth Chapter

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam (BBWV) will host the inaugural Vietnam Infrastructure Symposium 2026 on 9 July at Riverstage Thu Thiem, bringing together more than 100 leaders from government, business, finance, investment, and industry to discuss one of the most important drivers of Vietnam’s future growth: infrastructure.

The Symposium comes at a pivotal moment for Vietnam. Following 7.83% GDP growth in Q1 2026, driven by strong manufacturing, construction, and services activity, and the country’s recent upgrade to FTSE Russell Secondary Emerging Market status, attention is increasingly turning to the infrastructure investments needed to sustain growth, attract capital, and enhance competitiveness.

From transportation and logistics to energy, industrial development, and digital connectivity, infrastructure will play a central role in supporting Vietnam’s next phase of economic transformation.

The event also marks the launch of the BBWV Symposium Series—a new invitation-only platform designed to bring together decision-makers for focused discussions on the issues shaping Vietnam’s future.

Designed to encourage meaningful dialogue rather than large-scale conference participation, the Symposium will explore:

Infrastructure and economic competitivenessLogistics and supply chain connectivityEnergy and sustainable developmentIndustrial and manufacturing ecosystemsDigital infrastructure and innovationPublic-private partnerships and investment opportunities

The Vietnam Infrastructure Symposium aims to foster constructive dialogue, practical insights, and stronger connections among leaders helping to build Vietnam’s next chapter of growth.

About Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam

Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam (BBWV) is published by Beacon Asia Media under license from Bloomberg L.P.

Through its print magazine, digital platform BBW.vn, social channels, executive events, and thought leadership initiatives, BBWV serves as a platform for conversations around business, leadership, investment, innovation, and the trends shaping Vietnam’s future.

About Beacon Asia Media

Beacon Asia Media (BAM) is a media, content, and events company whose ecosystem includes Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam, BBW.vn, BAM Studios, executive events, custom publishing, branded content, video production, and strategic communications solutions.

Through print, digital, video, social, and live experiences, BAM brings together leaders, brands, and communities to share ideas and insights that matter.

Media Contact
Beacon Asia Media
Nhan Vo
nhan.vo@bloombergbusinessweek.vn
+84-0564291029

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bloomberg-businessweek-vietnam-launches-vietnam-infrastructure-symposium-2026-302812886.html

SOURCE Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam

JINCHANG, China, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, Jinchang City’s first integrated new energy project featuring “photovoltaic (PV) + charging piles” in Gansu Province was officially connected to the grid and put into operation. Supported by full-process exclusive services from State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company, the project was completed and commissioned one week ahead of schedule. The successful launch of this new green energy application has won high recognition from its developer, Gansu Ludong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

According to Liu Rui, contact person of the project, the power supply company provided one-on-one exclusive follow-up services throughout the whole process from preliminary planning and scheme optimization to construction and grid connection. The professional, efficient and considerate support was key to the project’s early completion. Adopting the operation model of “self-generation and self-consumption of PV power with surplus electricity for charging piles”, the innovative project realizes local generation and consumption of green power, serving as a new practical model for diversified new energy applications in Jinchang.

To ensure smooth project implementation, State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company took the initiative to launch a full-cycle service system in advance. Addressing the enterprise’s unfamiliarity with grid connection procedures, technical standards and electricity pricing policies, dedicated account managers provided on-site technical guidance and policy interpretation. They optimized the PV installation layout and power distribution scheme for charging piles based on the site conditions and power load characteristics, eliminating potential design defects and construction risks from the source and laying a solid foundation for project construction.

Throughout the project, the power supply company adhered to the principle of efficient and customer-oriented services to form a complete service chain. With an integrated online and offline service model, it assisted the enterprise in document submission and scheme review, greatly shortening the processing cycle. During construction, staff conducted regular on-site supervision, strictly inspecting parameters of core equipment and circuit layout standards, and rectifying non-standard construction problems in a timely manner to ensure project quality. Meanwhile, cross-department joint acceptance was organized to finish equipment commissioning, data access and grid connection in one go, enabling the project to be put into operation immediately upon completion.

The 220kW PV project can generate approximately 280,000 kWh of clean power annually, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 220 tons per year. The green power generated is prioritized for on-site charging piles, effectively reducing the enterprise’s energy consumption costs and improving the regional charging service network for new energy vehicles.

Going forward, State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company will further optimize the new energy grid connection service mechanism, streamline approval procedures and improve service precision. It will continue to support the local green and low-carbon energy transition and expand diversified application scenarios of the “PV +” model.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/high-quality-power-services-accelerate-efficient-operation-of-jinchangs-pv–charging-pile-project-302812890.html

SOURCE State Grid Jinchang Power Supply Company