Introduction
Achieving a sustainability certification from an independent organisation is an excellent way to demonstrate the efforts you are making to operate your property in a more sustainable way.
We recommend all our hotel partners achieve a sustainability certification and showcase the properties who have achieved this on our booking platforms. We do this by adding a clear label to certified properties, and by giving guests the option to filter by certified properties.
ACHIEVING A HOTEL SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATION
To get certified, your property must meet the sustainability standards set by a certification body. Part of the process will include an audit of the sustainability practices of your property. Once you demonstrate you meet the official standards, you will receive a certificate.
We work with BeCause – a specialist sustainability data company – to collect information on which hotel partners have obtained a certification and use this to update our booking platforms on a regular basis.
There are lots of certification programmes on offer around the world. The ones TUI currently promotes on its booking platforms are listed below. This list is based on the following three principles:
- The certification aligns with the Industry Standard For Hotels set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council
- The certification process involves a third-party assessment of the property’s sustainability practices
- The certificate is issued by an organisation that has already achieved accreditation, or has committed to doing so by December 2026
We have chosen to focus on schemes that are tailored to the tourism industry and take a broad approach to the topic of sustainability. This allows us to be clear and consistent in our communication to guests.
However, it does also mean we don’t accept several globally renowned certification schemes, such as ISO, BREEAM and LEED. This is due to their focus on specific topics like energy efficiency or building standards, and because they apply to a wide range of industries.
We regularly review our eligibility criteria, and do this in partnership with ABTA, ANVR, and other industry associations. The certification landscape is changing quickly. Please check this page before you next look to obtain or renew your certification so you can be certain the provider meets the latest requirements.
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
Biosphere
Biosphere is the international sustainability management, recognition and certification system of the 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. With more than 25 years of experience, Biosphere is pioneer in the sector; operating in more than 77 countries, with more than 4.500 members and more than 30M tourists visiting Biosphere companies and destinations annually.
EarthCheck
The purpose of the EarthCheck Company Standard is to provide organisations with a framework for environmental and social sustainability by assessing economic, social and environmental impact. This Standard includes requirements specific to other management systems, and its elements can be integrated with those of other management systems. It ensures a high level of alignment to different ISOs, the GRI, the HCMI, the SDGs, and the GSTC Criteria.
Ecotourism Australia
Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports the industry in Australia through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. As the peak body for ecotourism and sustainable tourism in Australia and the Pacific, they connect, champion, inspire and inform through strategic partnerships and global best practice standards.
Ecostars
Ecostars is a hotel-specific sustainability certification that awards eco-stars based on a hotel’s environmental impact per stay. It evaluates the key axes of sustainability: energy, water, CO2 footprint, recycling, products, sustainable food & social in each hotel. Its evaluation methodology combines digitalization and objective ESG evaluation by leveraging on cutting-edge technology and statistical analysis to assess quantitative dimensions, supplemented by adherence to Ecostars standards.
Good Travel Seal
The Good Travel Seal is a program of the Good Travel Guide and Green Destinations Solutions, offering tools for assessment, performance data validation, certification, supporting the sustainability of businesses, especially but not limited to the leisure & tourism sector. The programs are especially designed to be highly feasible and very affordable for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). It focuses on practical requirements that are easy for smaller businesses to manage.
Green Globe
The Green Globe Certification Standard includes 44 criteria in four groups (sustainable management, social/economic, cultural heritage & environmental) and supported by over 380 compliance indicators. The applicable indicators vary by type of certification, geographical area as well as local factors. The Standard has been developed over three decades and guarantees the highest level of sustainable operations and management.
Green Growth 2050
The Green Growth 2050 Global Standard is based on a range of internationally recognised environmental and hotel industry sustainability standards. The Standard and its Sustainability Reporting Framework is an international online solution designed to allow travel and tourism organisations to assess the overall sustainability and CSR performance of their existing individual properties and portfolios.
Green Key
Green Key certified establishments meet a set of high standard environmental requirements. They have developed criteria and explanatory notes for 13 criteria areas: staff involvement, environmental management, guest information, water, energy, washing & cleaning, food & beverage, waste, administration, indoor environment, green areas, green activities, and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Green Key Global
Green Key Global’s Eco-Rating Program is the only environmental certification designed for the hotel and meeting industry. With the Eco-Rating Program, hotels can reduce utility consumption, waste, and emissions, improve employee training, customer engagement, supply chain management, community involvement, and more through environmental audits and performance reports.
GreenSign
The GreenSign program has hotels in 15 countries using this standard, mainly in Europe. Almost 100 criteria in their catalog standard offer the opportunity to combine ecology, economy and social responsibility without sacrificing comfort for guests. The standard covers the areas of management and communication, the environment (energy, water, waste), biodiversity and cultural heritage, purchasing, regionality and mobility, quality management and sustainable development, and social and economic responsibility.
GreenStep
GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Standard is used by GreenStep Solutions in their assessment and certification program which provides tools, resources, and consultative support to destinations and businesses across the tourism industry. The Sustainable Tourism standard enables tourism businesses to measure their sustainability performance in several key categories; management, social, economic, natural, cultural, and environmental.
GSTC Standards
Several organisations are accredited for awarding certifications directly against the GSTC Industry Standard For Hotels. The Standard comprises over 40 criteria focused on four areas: sustainable management, local community, cultural heritage and the environment. When choosing your certification body, you should consider evaluating two or more certification bodies to find the one that best suits your needs based on language, location and level of experience. You will find a full list here.
Intertek’s EcoCheck Standard
The EcoCheck Standard is designed to allow hotels to demonstrate both a meaningful commitment and verifiable results with regard to sustainability. The standard is used in EcoCheck modules that combine the expertise of their global network of consultants with the ECristal online management system that allows clients to track continuous improvement and capture key sustainability data.
Preferred by Nature
The Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities has a global scope and is organised under four principles and 31 criteria. The principles are: 1) management and business practices being responsible (7 criteria); 2) people’s wellbeing and human rights being respected (12 criteria); 3) nature and the environment being protected (9 criteria); and 4) climate impacts being reduced and mitigated (3 criteria).
TOFTigers' PUG Eco-Rating
“PUG” is an acronym to Practices Under Guidelines. It represents a system of green labelling, examining operating practices, and thereby allowing International and National buyers, suppliers and visitors to make better purchasing decisions on which lodge or resort to choose to send their clients or stay at. It focuses on enhancing operations triple bottom line: economic profitability, respect for the environment in and social responsibility.
TourCert
TourCert is an independent certification organization dedicated to promoting ecological, social, and economic corporate responsibility in tourism. It advises and supports tourism companies and destinations in implementing sustainable and successful business practices, certifying and awarding the TourCert Seal for sustainability and corporate responsibility in tourism.
Travelife
Travelife is a global accommodation sustainability certification body. It has over 140 criteria organized around 9 different focus areas: annual statement, planning & core policies; legal compliance & licensing; honesty, transparency, fairness & responsiveness; stakeholder engagement & support; sustainable procurement; minimising greenhouse gas emissions & protecting biodiversity; minimising the impact of a crisis or emergency; animal welfare; and measuring & monitoring environmental performance.NATIONAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
* This page is regularly updated to reflect any changes. Date last updated: 16/06/2025.