GSTC Accreditation of Certification Bodies that Certify Accommodations, Tour Operators, and Destinations

SCP monitoring and reporting

• Control Union to Certify Hotels & Tour Operators after Achieving GSTC-Accredited Status
  Control Union to Certify Hotels & Tour Operators after Achieving GSTC-Accredited Status

  Regions

  Global / All regions

  Lead organization

  Control Union, GSTC

  Objective

  The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Control Union has achieved 'GSTC-Accredited' status. The awarded status affirms Control Union as a certification body that commits to certify sustainable tourism products and services at a high level of quality. Businesses certified by Control Union, as an Accredited CB, can use the GSTC logo in accordance with GSTC licensing requirements. GSTC Accredited status is the most reliable and cost effective way to ensure confidence and credibility of sustainable tourism certification, and worldwide acceptance.

  Achievements

  "The GSTC framework was created to provide opportunity for best-in-class certifying bodies to be identified as such. That creates opportunity for their certificate holders and their end-user clients to appreciate the sincere efforts to operate in a highly sustainable manner", says GSTC CEO Randy Durband. "Control Union has stepped forward to develop a sustainable certification scheme and provided extensive evidence of the high quality of their process of certification." Control Union Certifications becomes the first Certifying Body (CB) to achieve GSTC Accredited status, which provides the highest level in terms of credibility within the GSTC Integrity Program framework. "We are very excited to start this new certification programme." says Control Union Managing Director Jan-Frans Bastiaanse. "Our core business as a certification body is sustainability and the challenges that hotels and tour operators face regarding sustainability are similar to those of our other clients. Also, we have vast experience in providing services to large scale multinational business which can be interesting for hotel chains. Finally, we can offer many other certification programmes that hotels and tour operators might be interested in." Control Union Certifications offers a global one-stop-shop for a wide range of certification programmes. Control Union Certifications presents a wide range of programmes in agriculture, food, feed, forest products, textiles and bio energy. GSTC Accreditation is managed by Accreditation Services International (ASI). "We are very pleased to confirm CU's accreditation for GSTC Criteria." says Phil Crocombe, GSTC program manager at ASI. "Over the last ten years CU has demonstrated its competence and integrity as an independent certifier for other schemes; we are pleased to see that CU has added a new standard to its portfolio of services." The completion of these step-wise programs rewards standard owners for their commitment to sustainability while offering the market benefit of proof that these national standards adhere to international norms.

• Green Destinations is now GSTC-Accredited
  Green Destinations is now GSTC-Accredited

  Regions

  Global / All regions

  Lead organization

  Green Destinations, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

  Objective

  The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Green Destinations has achieved the 'GSTC-Accredited' status. The awarded status affirms Green Destinations' commitment to promoting sustainable 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. Green Destinations developed a complete, affordable and easy-to-use Assessment & Certification programme that fits the needs of both small and larger destinations. It is operated through an online Assessment & Reporting platform based upon the GSTC-Recognised Green Destinations Standard and the GD Database with data from 2000 destinations. The platform helps destinations to improve sustainability management and performance. Achieving the GSTC-Accredited status means that a certification program is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by the GSTC Accreditation Panel. Businesses and Destinations certified by a GSTC-Accredited certification program can also use the GSTC language and logo when they meet all GSTC Criteria. The purpose of the GSTC programs is to reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers.

  Achievements

  "The Green Destinations programme provides an effective incentive to hundreds of destinations to shift their operations toward greater sustainability," says Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Chair. "Green Destinations and GSTC are cooperating for a long time and share the same principles and approaches. It is therefore with great satisfaction that we now welcome Green Destinations amongst the selected group of certification bodies that meet the highest standards." "Green Destinations is really happy to receive this highest possible recognition", says GD's founder Albert Salman. "We try to offer destinations and countries the best possible support in the market, but we have to be aware that it can take several years to conclude the process towards GSTC-Accredited certification. This is why we issue benchmark awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum) to annually celebrate progress towards the GD Standard. This model has been developed in cooperation with country-wide programs, e.g. the National Tourism Board Slovenia. Following this model, we offer a GSTC-Accredited certification mechanism to countries that developed their own national standard. I hope this will help avoid the development of a destination-label jungle, as happened in the hotels certification".

• Vireo Srl Achieves GSTC-Accredited Status
  Vireo Srl Achieves GSTC-Accredited Status

  Regions

  Global / All regions

  Lead organization

  Vireo Srl, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

  Objective

  Achieving the GSTC-Accredited status means that a certification program is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by the GSTC Accreditation Panel and by ASI (Accreditation Services International), GSTC's partner in managing the accreditation process, in order to provide an independent and trustworthy qualification of the GSTC-Accredited certification body. Businesses and Destinations certified by a GSTC-Accredited certification program can also use the GSTC language and logo when they meet all GSTC Criteria. The purpose of the GSTC programs is to reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers. Vireo Srl is a certification body whose commercial activities consist of providing Italian and foreign companies with environmental certification services. Vireo began in 2006 providing FSC® and PEFCTM certifications. Since 2011 Vireo has expanded its services providing also MSC, ASC, CTS, ISO 9001 and 14001. In 2017 Vireo has decided to continue its own process of growth applying for the GSTC accreditation.

  Achievements

  "We welcome Vireo among the selected group of certifications that meet the highest standards. Vireo is the first certification body based in Italy to reach the GSTC Accredited status, and I wish to congratulate them for being a leader standing out among other programmes," says Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Chair. "We believe GSTC is a very credible scheme that has a huge potential. We are extremely satisfied and ready for working with sustainable organizations that want to show their real commitment," says Luigi Mazzaglia, CEO of Vireo. Following the achieved GSTC-accredited status, Vireo Srl will hold a workshop next month titled "GSTC certification: how to prove sustainability in the tourism sector" to promote the use of the GSTC Criteria by hotels in Italy. The event will take place on October 2nd in Sesto, Bolzano, Italy, in collaboration with the Berghotel, which is the first Italian hotel certified by Vireo Srl according to the GSTC Criteria.

• Vireo Srl is now GSTC-Accredited for Certifying Destinations
  Vireo Srl is now GSTC-Accredited for Certifying Destinations

  Regions

  Global / All regions

  Lead organization

  Vireo Srl, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

  Objective

  Achieving the GSTC-Accredited status for certifying destinations means that a certification program is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by the GSTC Accreditation Panel in order to provide an independent and trustworthy qualification of the GSTC-Accredited certification body. Businesses and Destinations certified by a GSTC-Accredited certification program can also use the GSTC language and logo when they meet all GSTC Criteria. The purpose of the GSTC programs is to reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers. Vireo Srl is a certification body whose commercial activities consist of providing Italian and foreign companies with environmental certification services. Vireo began in 2006 providing FSC® and PEFCTM certifications. Since 2011 Vireo has expanded its services providing also MSC, ASC, CTS, ISO 9001 and 14001. In 2017 Vireo has decided to continue its own process of growth applying for the GSTC accreditation.

  Achievements

  "After achieving accreditation to certify accommodations and tour operators last year, Vireo has taken another step this year, to be able to certify destinations, the first one in Italy," says Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Chair. "We believe GSTC is a very credible scheme that has a huge potential. We are extremely satisfied and ready for working with sustainable organizations that want to show their real commitment. We are also very proud to propose for the first time the certification for destination using the GSTC Destination Criteria. This is a common result that increases the credibility and international awareness of GSTC worldwide." says Luigi Mazzaglia, CEO of Vireo.

• UCSL to Certify Hotels & Tour Operators after Achieving GSTC-Accredited Status
  UCSL to Certify Hotels & Tour Operators after Achieving GSTC-Accredited Status

  Regions

  Global / All regions

  Lead organization

  United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL), Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

  Objective

  Achieving the GSTC-Accredited status means that a certification program is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by the GSTC Accreditation Panel and by ASI (Assurance Services International), GSTC's partner in managing the accreditation process, in order to provide an independent and trustworthy qualification of the GSTC-Accredited certification body. Businesses and Destinations certified by a GSTC-Accredited certification program can also use the GSTC language and logo when they meet all GSTC Criteria. The purpose of the GSTC programs is to reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers. UCSL United Certification Systems Limited is a global brand providing certification services under sustainability schemes. Established in 2017 in Cyprus, it currently provides services worldwide while being officially represented in the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, Russia, South Asia and China.

  Achievements

  "Being GSTC-Accredited, UCSL verifies accommodations and tour operators in a transparent, trustable and impartial way towards GSTC Criteria, the well-known global sustainability standard in the global tourism sphere. For companies choosing an accredited certification body, like UCSL, it is an excellent opportunity to use the GSTC logo in daily communications and marketing as it provides the highest level of recognition and loyalty on the global market," says Olga Shuvalova, UCSL CEO. "Personally, staying in a hotel with the GSTC logo confirms my devotion and support of a sustainable way of life and provides a visible positive impact on the Earth. For my own travel, I choose hotels and tour operators with a GSTC logo. I hope that with our common actions and intentions there will be many of them in the near future," she adds. "Tourism is slowly starting its recovery and sustainability is more important than ever. Businesses will need to respond to the increased demand for a responsible tourism that respects the environment and the communities where it develops. United Certification Systems joins the selected group of certification bodies that proved to meet the highest standards through the GSTC accreditation process and will therefore stand out as a reference in the tourism sector," says Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Chair.

• Bureau Veritas Certification to Certify Hotels & Tour Operators after Achieving GSTC-Accredited Status
  Bureau Veritas Certification to Certify Hotels & Tour Operators after Achieving GSTC-Accredited Status

  Regions

  Global / All regions

  Lead organization

  Bureau Veritas Certification Hong Kong, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

  Objective

  Achieving the GSTC-Accredited status means that a certification program is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by the GSTC Accreditation Panel and by ASI (Assurance Services International), GSTC's partner in managing the accreditation process, in order to provide an independent and trustworthy qualification of the GSTC-Accredited certification body. Businesses and Destinations certified by a GSTC-Accredited certification program can also use the GSTC language and logo when they meet all GSTC Criteria. The purpose of the GSTC programs is to reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which in turn builds confidence and credibility with consumers. Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory 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.

  Achievements

  "Increasingly, travelers and travel providers are seeking confirmation that sustainability practices are in place. Also increasingly, travel companies are looking for services that are not only certified sustainable, but certified sustainable by an accredited certifying body, such as Bureau Veritas Certification. Our certified businesses will be able to use the GSTC logo and participate in the GSTC's market access program." Says Fanny Zou, Bureau Veritas Certification General Manager, Greater China. "This is a time when the pandemic forces tourism to stop but it also gives us the opportunity to reflect on its impacts and how these can be transformed into benefits. With its accreditation, Bureau Veritas Certification is now placed amongst a selected group of certification bodies that meet the highest standards. As soon as the recovery begins, it will offer the tourism businesses the option of managing all their operations in a truly sustainable manner," says Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Chair.