NEWS

APU has renewed its TedQual (Tourism Education Quality) Certification, awarded by UN Tourism (formerly the United Nations World Tourism Organization/UNWTO), as of February 2026.
The Hospitality and Tourism cluster within the College of Asia Pacific Studies first obtained this certification in March 2018 and has since consistently received strong recognition for the quality of its tourism education. As of its expiry, the certification was renewed under the newly established College of Sustainability and Tourism. APU has been granted re-certification for the longest possible period of four years (February 2026-February 2030) as a result of the high evaluation of the university's efforts.
The TedQual program aims to improve the quality of tourism education and research programs and has been awarded to tourism programs at prominent universities and similar institutions overseas.

UN Tourism TedQual and APU

The College of Sustainability and Tourism utilizes its location in the international tourist destination of Beppu City to focus on local and international collaborative study. TedQual Certification is based on the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism as set forth by UN Tourism—which includes promoting tourism and world peace through tourism, non-discrimination, multiculturalism, freedom of movement, and freedom of employment—ensuring that education and research are conducted in a manner that does not contradict the spirit of the Code. The aim of this code is in line with the academic goals of the University and the College of Sustainability and Tourism. UN Tourism offers a variety of academic and exchange programs to TedQual certified institutions. Thus, as a part of this network, the College will be able to build further connections with universities and institutions and establish agreements for international education and research collaboration.

Notes:

1. About UN Tourism
   The world's largest international tourism body, UN Tourism (previously the United Nations World Tourism Organization/UNWTO) was founded in January 1975 and became a specialized agency within the UN in 2003. It supports the improvement of the status and competitiveness of tourism, the promotion of sustainable tourism, and the promotion of development and poverty reduction through tourism.
   For more information visit the UN Tourism website at https://www.untourism.int/.
   (External link. Information available in English.)
2. Please see the following website for a list of UN Tourism TedQual certified schools and institutions.
   https://www.untourism.int/institutions-un-tourism-tedqual-certified-programmes
   (External link. Information available in English.)