Become a Certified Destination

Being certified sustainable by a Certification Body that is Accredited means that your destination complies with the highest social and environmental standards on the market. As public concern grows about the harmful effects and the positive impacts of travel and tourism, certification provides you with a credible solution to complex environmental and social issues.

Travel providers should proudly display information regarding their certificate and the certifying body that issued it. Doing so informs your stakeholders — from customers to ownership and to your supply chain — that your business is operated with sound management that looks to the future and not merely at today.

To view destinations that have been certified by a GSTC-accredited Certification Body, see the GSTC Sustainable Destinations Map.

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How to become certified as a Sustainable Destination

To become certified, Destination and Destination Management Organization (DMO) shall go through these steps:

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Several certification bodies are accredited by GSTC to certify a destination against GSTC Destination.

When selecting a CB, consider factors such as language support, experience, and location to find the best fit for your needs. Evaluating multiple CBs can help you make an informed decision.

Some CBs require you to register before providing a certification proposal, including costs and procedures.

In some cases, you may need to sign a contract before proceeding. Be sure to carefully review all terms before agreeing.

Prior to starting the certification process, some certification bodies offer the option to conduct a short evaluation to identify potential areas of concern. Costs may be associated with this step.

Once you’re ready to start, submit your application and required documents to your chosen CB.

The CB will review these documents to assess whether the destination meets GSTC Criteria. Be sure to submit everything within the deadline set by the CB.

The CB will review your submitted documents and compare them to GSTC Criteria or a GSTC-Recognized standard.

During this process, they may contact you for clarifications. The timeline for this step depends on the completeness and complexity of your documentation

An auditor from the CB will visit your destination, tour sites, DMO’s office to verify that your practices align with the GSTC Criteria and submitted documents.

After the audit, the CB will provide a draft report. You’ll have the opportunity to review it and address any factual issues. The final report will confirm whether your destination meets certification requirements.

If your destination meets the criteria, the CB will issue GSTC Certification, valid for three years, and provide the GSTC-certified logo.

The CB will conduct annual surveillance audits to ensure ongoing compliance. The frequency of these audits depends on the size and complexity of your destination.

The Certification Body will review the progress and improvements made for any corrective actions that were requested as the Destination nears the date for renewal of certification. Audit duration and frequency can depend on the Destination’s size and complexity of operations. Most certification bodies require an annual onsite audit every 1.5 to 3 years.

To maintain certification, check with your CB about renewal timelines.

*Note: The process described here is a general guideline, and specific steps may vary depending on the certification body.

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GSTC-accredited Certification Bodies for Destinations

EarthCheck

EarthCheck 150x150EarthCheck is a leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. Since 1987, we have helped businesses, communities and governments to deliver clean, safe, prosperous and healthy destinations for travellers to visit, live, work and play. The EarthCheck program is built on Agenda 21 principles and is currently used in more than 70 countries across the globe in six languages. EarthCheck patented software and systems have set a benchmark for sustainability reporting for the travel and tourism industry.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Destination
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Destination Standard
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide

To be certified by EarthCheck, visit this link to Get Certified by EarthCheck.

Green Destinations

Green Destinations (GD) is a non-profit organisation of experts and destination ambassadors working in 80 countries. GD supports a large community of local, regional and country destination managers and stakeholders, enhancing destination sustainability, market visibility, and tourism quality. The GD Certification Committee supervises certification and benchmark awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) based upon the GSTC- Recognized GD Standard, and other (e.g. national) standards. GD offers destinations and countries with state-of-the-art tools for baseline assessment, monitoring, reporting and strategic development, also in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Destination
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Destination Standard
    • Green Destinations Standard
    • IDM South Tyrol
    • Mountain IDEAL
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide

To be certified by Green Destinations, visit this link to Get Certified by Green Destinations.

Vireo Srl

Vireo Srl is a certification company whose commercial activities consist of providing Italian and foreign companies with environmental certification services. Vireo provides worldwide recognized environmental certification schemes such as FSC, MSC, and GSTC. As a GSTC-accredited certification body, Vireo certifies hotels, TOs, and destinations as sustainable worldwide. The professional approach and deep knowledge of standards are the key elements that mark Viero’s services. Based in Padova, Italy, Vireo has international experience and works with professional and highly qualified auditors.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Destination
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Destination Standard
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide

To be certified by Vireo Srl, contact them directly at info@vireosrl.it or visit this link to Get Certified by Vireo Srl.

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NOTE:

  • Certification by a certifying body whose standard is “GSTC-Recognized” does NOT constitute being Certified by GSTC. “GSTC Recognized” relates to a published set of standards and NOT to the process of certification. Click here to learn more about GSTC-Recognized and to view lists of standards that are  Recognized by the GSTC as aligned with the GSTC Standard.

  • The above standards have been Accredited as in compliance with the requirements of the GSTC Accreditation Manual. The Accredited mark means that the certification procedures largely meet international standards for transparency, impartiality, and competence.

Sample Questions to Ask a Certification Body:

  1. How much will it cost to become certified? Do you offer group pricing in order to reduce costs? Are there other special pricing arrangements you can offer me?
  2. Do you offer the option to conduct a pre-assessment to see how my business measures up to the GSTC Criteria and whether we might run into any challenges prior to conducting the certification audit?
  3. How long do you anticipate the certification assessment process will take with a company of our size?
  4. During the assessment process, what type of documents will you ask our company to provide? Is there a document noting what we will need that we can review beforehand?
  5. In addition to conducting the assessment, what other support services and/or tools are included for me to manage my compliance with the sustainability standard?
  6. Does your company offer destinations undergoing certification a dedicated customer service personnel?
  7. What happens if we fail to attain certification?
  8. Can you provide a reference from a customer, comparative to our business that has undergone an assessment with your certification body?