GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies

GSTC provides accreditation services for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations and tour operators as sustainable. GSTC also provides accreditation services for Certification Bodies that certify destinations as sustainable.

Accredited means that a Certification Body (CB) has been verified through a rigorous external review from an accreditation body whereby the GSTC provides assurance that the CB awards certification to businesses according to processes that comply with international standards and good practices. Businesses certified by an Accredited CB can use the GSTC logo along with the CB’s mark.

The Certification Bodies listed below have been Accredited for compliance with the requirements of the Manual for GSTC Accreditation.

GSTC Accredited Certification Bodies for Hotels/Accommodation and Tour Operator

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.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Hotel/Accommodation
    • Tour Operator
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Hotel Criteria
    • GSTC Tour Operator Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide

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 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.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Hotel/Accommodation
    • Tour Operator
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Hotel Criteria
    • GSTC Tour Operator Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide, excluding China

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.

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.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Hotel/Accommodation
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Hotel Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide, excluding China

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

FQC

FQC Certification is an independent certification and training body established to help organizations achieve excellence and world-class competitiveness through the application of various International Standards. Its main objective is to elevate organizations to international stature and ensure that their products and services are globally accepted. FQC offers value-added, efficient, and cost-effective certification and training services to all sectors, including Government, Public, and Private.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Hotel/Accommodation
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Hotel Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Türkiye

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

FQC logo

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.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Hotel/Accommodation
    • Tour Operator
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Hotel Criteria
    • GSTC Tour Operator Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide, excluding China

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

TRB

TRB International Certification Company was established in 2004 and was accredited by TÜRKAK in 2006 within the scope of system certification and in 2009 within the scope of Product Certification. TRB has also been an authorized institution within the scope of Good Agricultural Practices since 2007 and Organic Agriculture (Plant, Animal Production, Processing, Packaging, Labeling, Storage, Transportation and Marketing of Organic Products) from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry since 2018. 

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Hotel/Accommodation
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Hotel Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Turkiye

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

TRB

United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL)

UCSL United Certification Systems Limited is proud to be among the first GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies, also holding accreditations for other prestigious environmental schemes like ASC, MSC, and GSES. Headquartered in the EU, UCSL provides GSTC Certification for Hotels and Tour Operators globally (except Türkiye), with a special focus on Europe (including the UK), Latin America (including the Caribbean), the Middle East, India, South-East Asia, and Japan. UCSL’s foundation is built on exceptional quality and expertise, driven by a team of dedicated international sustainability leaders. UCSL offers unparalleled knowledge and experience, championing the adoption of genuine sustainable practices and enhancing a better tomorrow for tourism businesses, nature, and communities.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Hotel/Accommodation
    • Tour Operator
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Hotel Criteria
    • GSTC Tour Operator Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide, excluding China

To get certified by UCSL, contact them directly at [email protected] or 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.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Hotel/Accommodation
    • Tour Operator
    • Destination
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • GSTC Hotel Criteria
    • GSTC Tour Operator Criteria
    • GSTC Destination Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide

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 (MSB)

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.

  1. Accredited Tourism Activity for Certification
    • Hotel/Accommodation
    • Tour Operator
  2. Reference Standard for Certification
    • Mauritian Standard for Sustainable Tourism: Blue Oasis  (GSTC-Recognized Standard)
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Mauritius

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

GSTC Accredited Certification Bodies for Destination

EarthCheck

EarthCheck 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 Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide

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

EarthCheck 150x150

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 Criteria
    • 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 Criteria
  3. Accredited Geographic Area: Worldwide

To be certified by Vireo Srl, contact them directly at [email protected] or visit this link to Get Certified by Vireo Srl.