The draft version of the Preferred by Nature Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities is now open for public consultation from 20 May to 20 July 2022. Learn how you can share your feedback here.
While the revisions for the Preferred by Nature Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities are being finalised, the current Preferred by Nature Sustainable Tourism Standards remain in effect.
The Preferred by Nature Sustainable Tourism Standard for accommodation services is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council as being equivalent to the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for the GSTC-I Industry.
The Standard is divided into three fields, designed to assess any travel organisation’s performance regarding their business, sociocultural and environmental practices. These fields are then divided into principles and criteria. Each criterion has specific indicators, which are divided into critical (mandatory) and ordinary.
All companies applying to achieve the certification must comply with at least 70% of ordinary indicators, as well as 100% of critical indicators.
Non-compliance on any of the critical indicators, regardless of the overall result of an audit process, entails a pre-condition that the applicant company must resolve before it can be eligible to be recognised under the Preferred by Nature Sustainable Tourism Certification.
Principles of the Preferred by Nature Sustainable Tourism Standard
Each of the fields of the Preferred by Nature Sustainable Tourism Standard is divided into principles that are key and relevant sustainability topics that must be reflected on any organisation’s sustainable management system.
The Business principles address the efficient structuring of a sustainable business:
- Sustainable management system
- Quality management
- Human resource management
- Safety management
- Communication and marketing management
- Food and beverage safety programme
- Supplier management
- Sustainability education
The socio-cultural principles address the social aspects of the employees and the community, as well as the respect and protection of cultural heritage and living culture:
- Contribution to local development
- Legal and ethical labour practices
- Respect for local cultures and people
- Rescue and protection of historical and cultural heritage
The environmental principles address those aspects of business management that have an impact on the use of natural resources, the ecosystems, biodiversity and climate change:
- Climate change
- Rational use of water
- Rational use of energy
- Protection of biodiversity
- Conservation of natural areas
- Prevention of pollution
- Solid waste management
All the standard principles are assessed to measure the level of compliance of the audited organisation and as a result, it can be determined whether there is a formal sustainable management system in place.
Depending on your business type, the following standards for sustainable travel will apply to you.
