成为可持续酒店/住宿的认证流程

越来越多的旅行者和您的同行客户希望确认下榻的酒店已经实施了可持续性实践(Booking.com 2021 年可持续性报告)。与此同时,旅游公司也在寻找不仅获得可持续性认证,而且该认证是由 GSTC 认可的认证机构颁发的产品(Trivago 推荐)。

获得认可认证机构的认证意味着您的旅游产品或服务符合市场上最高的社会和环境标准。随着公众对旅游业的负面影响和积极作用的关注日益增加,认证为复杂的环境和社会问题提供了一个可信的解决方案。通过 GSTC 认可的认证机构(Accredited Certfication Bodies)所认证的企业,符合所有 GSTC 标准(或 GSTC 认可的标准),具备最高的保证和可信度。拥有认可的认证,客户和买家可以确信,该企业是在透明、公正和专业的程序中经过可信验证的。

符合 GSTC 标准认证的标志

旅游服务提供商应自豪地展示有关其认证及发证认证机构的信息。这样做可以告知您的利益相关者—从客户到所有者再到供应链—您的企业不仅关注当下,还注重未来的可持续发展。通过 GSTC 认可的认证机构所认证的企业,可以展示带有可追踪编码的独特 GSTC 标志。

许多酒店业主和买家都使用 GSTC 框架,并重点介绍那些经 GSTC 认可的认证机构认证的住宿。以下是其中一些:

  • 希尔顿酒店集团: “我们将继续寻找机会让我们的酒店获得 GSTC 认证,以确保我们运营的可持续性。”
  • TUI  “鼓励其 2700 万客户提供的所有酒店都获得符合 GSTC 标准的认证。”
  • easyJet holidays “致力于支持旅游目的地,承诺到 2025 年底,鼓励 100% 的签约酒店获得 GSTC 认可的认证机构的认证。”
  • AMEX GBT “将重点介绍符合 GSTC 标准或甚至获得 GSTC 认可的认证机构所认证的‘可持续’酒店和其他住宿合作伙伴。”
  • Booking.com 目前正在重点介绍通过 GSTC 认可的 CB 认证的酒店以及 GSTC 验证的其他标准。
  • 土耳其旅遊局(Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency ,TGA) 在 GSTC 的指导下,土耳其制定了第一个基于 GSTC 标准和 GSTC 保证计划的强制性国家住宿计划。从 2022 年到 2030 年,土耳其所有住宿都必须通过 GSTC 认可的认证机构进行认证。
  • 新加坡旅遊局(Singapore Tourism Board) 宣布推出酒店可持续发展路线图。到 2025 年,其目标是让 60% 的酒店客房通过 GSTC 认可的认证机构获得酒店可持续发展认证。
  • 至 2025 年,所有文华东方酒店(Mandarin Oriental)都将获得 GSTC 认证。

How to become certified as a Sustainable Hotel

To become certified, travel and tourism companies and touristic destinations must:

Save

Several certification bodies are accredited for awarding GSTC certifications for hotels/accommodations.

When choosing a CB, you should consider evaluating two or more certification bodies to find the one that suits your needs most regarding language abilities, experience, or location proximity.

The Certification Body may require you to officially register to receive a commercial offer with the cost and a procedure of certification. Some certification bodies may require hotels/accommodations to enter into a contract with the Certification Body. Contracts should always be read carefully prior to agreement.

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 ready to formally start the certification process, the hotel/accommodation will submit an application. The Certification Body will request information and various business documents to see how the accommodation’s practices and procedures comply with the GSTC standard. The documents should be submitted within the deadline stipulated by the Certification Body.

The Certification Body will review all documentation submitted and compare it to the GSTC Criteria or GSTC-Recognized standard. During this period, the Certification Body will consult the accommodation to clarify any questions about its operations. The length of this process can vary depending on the extent of the accommodation’s documented policies.

The Certification Body will visit the accommodation premises to see how its policies are implemented.

After the Certification Body’s assessment, the hotel should have a chance to view a draft report and voice any factual objections. This period allows the operator to contest or provide any supporting information to support certification. The Certification Body’s report will then be finalized, and shared with the hotel, concluding whether GSTC Certification can be awarded.

Certification is issued once the Certification Body has confirmed that the accommodation meets the GSTC requirements. The CB will award a GSTC certificate valid for three years* with a GSTC-Certified Logo.

* GSTC Certificates issued under the Turkiye program have 1-year validity. 



If the certification application is not approved right away, the assessor will provide the hotel with recommendations and corrective actions. Accommodations can then work with the Certification Body’s dedicated customer service representative to show the Certification Body that these corrective actions have been followed so that the accommodation can achieve certification.

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

Accommodations should check with the Certification Body to see when the certification renewal process should begin. It generally is between 4-6 weeks prior to expiration of certification.

GSTC Accredited Certification Bodies for Hotels/Accommodations

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. The Group has more than 78,000 employees located in more than 1,500 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions, in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.

To be certified by Bureau Veritas, contact BV directly at [email protected] or visit the following link to get Certified by Bureau Veritas.

Control Union

control unionControl 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. From the beginning, sustainability has been the main focus of our certification services. Control Union Certifications presents a wide range of programmes in agriculture, food, feed, forest products, textiles, bio-energy, and tourism.  In 2016, Control Union Certifications became the first Accredited CB for the GSTC Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators, and currently work with a dedicated sustainable tourism team on GSTC Certification, providing the highest level in terms of credibility within the GSTC Assurance Program. This means that Control Union Certifications can certify hotels and tour operators directly against the GSTC Criteria.

To be certified by Control Union, contact Seth Wang, General Manager directly at [email protected] or visit this link to Get Certified by Control Union.

Dream&Charme

DREAM&CHARME, is an Italy-based international certification body with headquarters in Milan, Italy. The company, founded in 2006, is dedicated to maintaining high standards in the hospitality industry, focusing on sustainable practices and hospitality reliability across various accommodations worldwide. Dream&Charme is focused only in the hospitality industry to verify and certify, as an accredited third party, therefore independent and impartial, their characteristics its reliability and sustainability. DREAM&CHARME is operating worldwide, especially in: Italy, France, Spain, United States of America, Greece, Egypt, Kenya, Cape Verde, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritius, Maldives, Oman, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Mexico.

To be certified by Dream&Charme, please contact [email protected] or visit their website www.dca-cert.com/en 

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. RoyalCert core strength lies in their experienced auditors, who have over 20 years of auditing expertise. The company is committed to sustainable growth and adheres to high ethical standards, focusing on integrity and customer satisfaction. By partnering with RoyalCert, customers can improve their operations, enhance business performance, and make a positive impact on society and the environment.

To get certified by RoyalCert, contact RoyalCert directly at [email protected].

United Certification Systems Limited

UCSL 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. The team of certification body involves numerous experts and professionals with vast local and international experience in the auditing and sustainability sector. UCSL aims to contribute to the UN SDGs, environmental well-being of the planet through provision of excellent services to like-minded sustainable businesses.

Visit the following link to get Certified by UCSL.

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.

To be certified by Vireo Srl, contact Vireo directly at [email protected] or visit the following link to get Certified by Vireo Srl.

Mauritius Standards Bureau: Blue Oasis

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. MSB holds a prominent regional and international presence, contributing to standardization and conformity assessment bodies. The paramount goal of MSB is to drive industrial advancement and foster economic expansion in Mauritius, by boosting the local tourism industry towards sustainability.

If your Accommodation/Hotel is located in Mauritius, visit the following link to get Certified by MSB.

Save

Note:

  • The above Certification Bodies have been Accredited for compliance with the requirements of the Manual for GSTC Accreditation. GSTC-Accredited mean that the certification procedures largely meet international standards for transparency, impartiality, and competence.
  • Certification by a Certification Body whose standard is “GSTC Recognized” does NOT carry the same meaning as certification by a Certification Body that is accredited by GSTC. “GSTC Recognized” relates to a published set of standards and NOT to the process of certification or accreditation.
  • List of standards that are recognized by the GSTC as adhering to the GSTC Criteria is available here.

* Note: General assurance levels:

3rd-party certification by an Accredited Certification Body (impartiality is certain)
3rd-party verification (impartiality is not certain)
2nd-party verification (not impartial)
1st-party self-assessment No verification at all