Advantages of Becoming a Certified
Tour Operator
Being certified by an Accredited Certification Body (CB) means that your operations comply 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 a credible solution to complex environmental and social issues.
Being certified by an Accredited Certification Body means that your tourism product or service 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 a credible solution to complex environmental and social issues. Businesses certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, meeting all the GSTC Criteria (or a GSTC-Recognized Standard), have the highest level of assurance* and credibility available. With an accredited certification, customers and buyers are assured that the business was certified in a credibly verified procedure in a transparent, impartial, and competent manner.
Logo for
businesses certified
Travel providers 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. Businesses certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body can display a unique GSTC logo with a traceable code.
Increasingly, travelers and your fellow travel provider clients are seeking confirmation that sustainability practices are in place. Also increasingly, travel companies are looking for a product that is not only certified sustainable, but certified sustainable by a certification program that is GSTC Accredited. For example, Royal Caribbean Cruises give preferential buying treatment, when feasible, to operators of shore excursions that are certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body. MSC Cruises follow a similar model. Other travel providers give preferential buying treatment to suppliers that are certified sustainable.
How To Apply
GSTC Certified for Tour Operators?
Apply for GSTC Certification to demonstrate your hotel's commitment to sustainable tourism practices recognized globally by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Certification highlights your dedication to environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and social responsibility in the tourism industry.
Key Stages to Becoming Certified
Compare and Select a Certification Body
Register and/or Contract with a Certification Body
Submit Application/Documentary Evidence to the Certification Body
Onsite Audit
Certification issued
GSTC Accredited Certification Bodies for
Tour Operators
To achieve certification as a hotel, tour operator, or destination, align your practices with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Criteria. Apply through a GSTC-recognized certification body for assessment. Upon approval, receive GSTC certification, showcasing your commitment to sustainable tourism.
Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas is a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification services. Since its creation in 1828, Bureau Veritas has been supporting its clients on every continent to continually improve their performance via certification of management systems, product certifications, and customized audits.
Control Union
Control Union Certifications offers a global one-stop-shop for a wide range of certification programmes with a global presence that spans more than 70 countries in six continents. We understand the importance of impartiality and objectivity, and how to professionally manage conflicts of interest.
RoyalCert
RoyalCert is a reputable certification body based in Germany, operating in 25 countries globally. RoyalCert offer assessment and certification services to a wide range of industries, including Tourism Industry, and serving thousands of customers.
UCLS
United Certification Systems Limited is an independent international certification body with Headquarters in EU and operating globally (except Türkiye). UCSL is accredited for various volunteer sustainability certification schemes including Hotels & Tour Operators (GSTC), Marine (ASC, MSC), Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES) etc.
Vireo Srls
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.
Mauritius Standards Bureau
The Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB) is a non-profit parastatal body in the island of Mauritius that certifies Hotels & Accommodations and Tour Operators operating within the Mauritian jurisdiction and territories, as per the GSTC-Recognized Standard MS 165 (Sustainable Tourism Management System) labelled as the Blue Oasis.
