Accreditation People

Dr. Mihee Kang is the Chief Assurance Officer, as well as an authorized trainer and destination assessor.
She has taught and researched ecotourism and sustainable tourism at several universities since receiving her Ph.D. degree in 1999 from
Seoul National University. As the first Ph.D. in ecotourism in S. Korea and a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) Young Scientists
Awards 2000 winner, she has been involved in sustainable tourism policy development and sustainability assessments of various types of
destinations in S. Korea and other countries over 30 years. She has served in both domestic and international organizations such as Korean
Geopark Committee, Korea Islands Foundation, Korea Trails and Culture, Jeju World Heritage Committee, Korea Forest Education Committee,
Asian Ecotourism Network, etc. She has actively participated in numerous research projects and ODA projects in Korea and abroad.
Dr. Kang has published many articles and books including a recent book about ecotourism in Asian countries.

Dr. So Young Lee has a passion for human behaviour against nature. Her master research on local community’s perception on protected areas and world heritage sites has led on to further research on qualitative assessments in development projects and sustainable management. With her Ph.D research on ‘Enhancing Interactive Innovation in the Rural Areas of Europe through Evaluation: Quantitative Network Analysis and Qualitative Self-Evaluation Tools’ she is interested in how stakeholders can bring in innovative solutions to their programs/projects through self-evaluation and qualitative assessments. At GSTC she is responsible for data inventory management, such as filing of successful case studies according to the GSTC criteria. She also supports other GSTC initiatives.

Natalia Sanin is the Assurance Measurement & Reporting Manager for GSTC. She has seven years of experience in quality assurance, both in ISO 9001 and Fairmined (sustainable standard for small-scale and artisanal mining), as well as experience in process improvement and crowdfunding. She has a business administration degree, a certification in Integrated Quality Management Systems (HSEQ), and is certified as an internal auditor.
Based on her experience and knowledge in quality assurance and auditing, she seeks to positively impact the lives of people in need, their communities, and the environment. She believes that sustainable standards are an excellent way to improve society and the world.

Joonsik Son is an Assurance Operations Manager at GSTC. He is responsible for overseeing the operational efficiency, quality assurance, and process management of the GSTC Assurance program. In this role, he streamlines assurance workflows, coordinates stakeholder interactions, and serves as a Lead Assessor in accreditation assessments. Based in South Korea, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature and has authored literary travel essays. Prior to joining GSTC, he gained expertise in marketing communication as a creative copywriter at a full-service advertising agency. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature and has authored literary travel essays.

Mustafa Söğüt is the Assurance Strategy Manager at GSTC. His role at GSTC is to support the execution of accreditation activities, Turkiye’s Sustainable Tourism Program, and assisting Auditor Training.
With a decade of experience as a Sustainable Tourism Auditor, Mustafa has gained extensive firsthand knowledge of onsite sustainability practices and initiatives.
Mustafa holds a Master’s degree in Tourism Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Public Relations. His certifications include GSTC Hotel Auditor, ISO 9001 Lead Auditor,
Pedagogical Education, and Health and Safety Expertise. Mustafa is currently based in Antalya, Türkiye.

Öykü works as an Assurance Strategy Manager at GSTC. She is an experienced professional with a background in sustainability reporting and sustainability frameworks,
indices. She hold a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Administration and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from Boğaziçi University,
specializing in environmental policies and sustainable tourism. Her career has been dedicated to bridging the gap between tourism and sustainability.
She is passionate about driving positive change within the industry through her work in sustainability auditing and ongoing training in sustainable
tourism practices. With a deep belief in the vital role of sustainability in the tourism sector, she is committed to applying her knowledge and
expertise to create a more sustainable and responsible future for the industry and our planet.

Christine Colyn Marasigan is the Assurance Operations Coordinator at GSTC based from the Philippines. She provides operational and administrative support to GSTC’s Accreditation Division and Auditor Training Program. In this role, she ensures smooth coordination of daily operations, document management, stakeholder communication, and logistical support for accreditation and training activities. Christine holds a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Prior to joining GSTC, she gained professional experience from Certification Bodies, where she supported certification processes across ASEAN and helped ensure quality, consistency and compliance with recognized certification standards across various sustainability and assurance programs, through collaborative, detail-oriented, and service-focused operational excellence initiatives globally.

With over a decade of experience in sustainable certification and compliance, Fachri brings in-depth expertise in managing accreditation systems and aligning certification practices with international sustainability standards. Prior to joining GSTC, he served in senior roles at global certification bodies, where he oversaw accreditation processes and stakeholder engagement across multiple schemes.
In Indonesia, he played a key role in the development of the national CHSE (Cleanliness,Health, Safety, and Environment) Standard for tourism enterprises, also serving as one of its lead auditors. He also contributed to advancing sustainability in the maritime sector by developing the Greenport Matrix in collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the Ministry of Transportation. At GSTC, he ensures the credibility and integrity of the GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies, supporting the organization’s mission to promote sustainable tourism through robust, global standards. His work is driven by a commitment to continuous improvement and the use of certification as a strategic tool to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Yejee developed a strong interest in sustainability while conducting her master’s research on “The Impact of Sustainable Brand Authenticity on Purchase Intention,” exploring the relationship between consumer perception and sustainability. This academic exploration laid the foundation for her continued commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
Prior to joining GSTC, she worked at a global certification body, where she was primarily responsible for certifying and auditing sustainable product certifications in the textile industry. She later continued her career at a Korea-based local certification body, focusing on technical operations for management system certifications.
At GSTC, she serves as an Accreditation Compliance Manager, ensuring the credibility and integrity of GSTC-accredited certification bodies and supporting the organization’s mission to promote sustainable tourism through robust, global standards.

Başak Bilgin is the Assurance Coordinator at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language Teaching; however, during her undergraduate studies, she discovered her interest in climate change research thanks to the course “The Age of Sustainability” and decided to change careers. She studied in Sustainable Tourism Management master program at Boğaziçi University, specializing in climate change and tourism studies. In her master’s thesis, she investigated the impact of climate change on tourist comfort levels in popular coastal destinations in Türkiye. With a strong commitment to sustainability, she aims to further her work in the future by focusing on climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in the face of climate change for the tourism sector. As the Assurance Coordinator, she supports GSTC’s strategic goals and the Assurance Director’s policy leadership, focusing on assurance management through executing assurance services, developing GSTC Criteria, supporting Türkiye’s Sustainable Tourism Program, training auditors, conducting research, aiding micro and small business certification, and managing administrative tasks.

Erel Ben Dor is the Auditor Training Program Manager for GSTC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Tourism Management and has years of experience working across multiple tourism businesses – from chain hotels, through business travel in high-tech companies to small tour operators. Prior to joining GSTC, Erel worked across sectors and brings a unique blend of strategic thinking from the fast-paced Israeli High-Tech companies along with soft skills learned from years of being a state-service social worker. With a strong commitment to sustainability and a passion for tourism, Erel hopes to support GSTC’s global mission for being an agent of change in the world of sustainable tourism.

Ozlem is an environmental engineer with over 20 years of expertise in environmental management, health and safety, quality assurance, and management systems integration.
Her career began as an environmental engineer in the chemical industry and then developed in the food industry, where she advanced into management roles and established systems that enhanced workplaces through sustainable practices. Driven by a desire to make a broader impact and explore diverse cultures, she found her calling as a freelance auditor. During this journey, her path crossed with GSTC, where she realized her persistent values could contribute to global sustainability by collaborating with the GSTC team. While her passion for making a positive impact continues in her professional life, she also engages in volunteer activities on environmental and social protection.

Maria’s career has a significant focus on sustainability within the hospitality industry but also in accreditation procedures. As a Quality Manager, she successfully implemented ISO and Sustainability Management Systems for a hotel chain in Greece, integrating environmental and social considerations into operational practices. Her role as an Assessor for the Hellenic Accreditation Body (ESYD) highlighted her commitment to upholding industry standards, while her experience as a Lead Auditor for ISO Standards and Tourism Product Manager for a Certification Body showcased her proficiency in evaluating and certifying sustainable practices. Maria studied Chemical Engineering and holds an MBA. Maria’s multifaceted expertise and profound commitment to sustainability and accreditation make her an asset to the GSTC team, aligning seamlessly with the organization’s mission.

Prior to joining GSTC, she worked as a sustainability auditor at Control Union and gained experience in certification and compliance at TÜV SÜD. She conducted audits and supported certification programs, contributing to the quality, consistency, and compliance of processes aligned with recognized standards. Building on this experience, she later worked at SK Chemicals, where she was involved in strategic initiatives related to chemical recycling and sustainable business development.She holds a bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Missouri State University (USA). Her professional background integrates applied auditing expertise with certification frameworks and industry-driven sustainability practices. At GSTC, she contributes to accreditation and compliance processes to support the credibility of sustainable tourism standards.