Our sustainable travel programme offers you certification services that will support your sustainable management system and help you achieve your commitment to protect and conserve biodiversity, and cultural heritage and improve local communities’ welfare.
Sustainable Travel Certification
Preferred by Nature offers accommodations and tour operators, including destination management companies, certification, and services to help them improve and promote their environmental, social and economic practices.
Our Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0 for Accommodations and Tour Operators is now a GSTC-Recognised standard, which means that the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has recognised them as equivalent to their GSTC Industry Criteria for sustainable travel.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. As it is closely linked to development, it has become a key driver for socio-economic progress. It is also a vital contributor to job and wealth creation, economic growth, environmental protection and poverty alleviation. These are only possible when tourism destinations and activities are responsibly managed and planned.
By verifying against the Preferred by Nature Sustainable Travel Certification, your company will be able to promote itself in a credible way, as a responsible tourism service provider within the global tourism sector and the growing responsible tourism market worldwide.
Additionally, the Preferred by Nature Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0 has also been redesigned to align with the Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework. The framework, which includes 4 core principles and 31 criteria, is a robust guide for achieving sustainability goals in any travel activity.
>> Download our Info Sheet.
Strategic partnerships
We believe partnerships are vital to driving a more significant impact. With over a decade of experience working on sustainable travel certification, we have developed strategic alliances with some leading sustainability and research organisations, other certifications, mission-committed clients, and exclusive platforms for sustainable tourism businesses. Together with these dedicated partners and clients, we work to advance sustainability practices and support creating a meaningful change in the tourism industry. These include:
Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Preferred by Nature is a proud member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), emphasising our commitment to sustainability in the tourism sector. Our Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0 for Accommodations and Tour Operators has achieved GSTC-Recognised status. The status indicates that it meets the rigorous GSTC Criteria and is a reliable benchmark for sustainable practices.
This rec
ognition also grants all our certified accommodations, tour operators, and companies to be included in the GSTC Market Access programme, managed by BeCause. This programme helps connect sustainable businesses, hotels, and accommodations with conscientious consumers and partners worldwide.
BeCause, a sustainability data management platform, coordinates and manages the GSTC Market Access Programme, assisting hotels in managing their properties sustainably and incorporating ESG data. This platform also connects hotels with Online Travel Agents (OTAs) and travel databases, increasing their visibility and market reach among sustainable travellers.
Travalyst
Preferred by Nature's Certification for Sustainable Travel Activities is also compliant with the Travalyst criteria of sustainability certifications for the accommodation sector.
Travalyst is a not-for-profit global coalition founded in 2019 by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. It is supported by some prominent travel and technology sector players like Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Mastercard, Sabre, Skyscanner, Travelport, Trip.com Group, Tripadvisor and Visa.
The Travalyst sustainability certification includes a set of some specific criteria that are (1) Third-party audit that includes on-site and/or remote online assessment of sustainable practices reported by the property. (2) Publicly available standards upon which the certification is based. (3) Focuses on evaluating the impact of social and/or economic, and/or environmental factors, among others, as encompassed within, but not restricted, to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Preferred by Nature’s Certification for Sustainable Travel Activities Standard also meets with these criteria of Travalyst, which shows that our certification ensures businesses follow reliable and globally recognised sustainability guidelines. This alignment not only supports tourism businesses in adopting sustainable management practices but also enhances the credibility of our certified operations.
Our certification has been listed as part of the Travalyst Certifications Initiative, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable practices and contributing to the industry's alignment with unified certification standards.
Our certification is also eligible to use an exclusive digital badge provided by Travalyst, which shows that the certification has been successfully reviewed and is compliant with Travalyst’s criteria.
Your benefits
Travel businesses certified under the Preferred by Nature Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0 have several advantages:
Technical benefits:
- Access to the Preferred by Nature Sustainable Travel Certification tools, including our tourism standards - equivalent to the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Industry (GSTC-I).
- Regular feedback provided by expert auditors about your company's sustainable management system. This, aims to help you identify strengths and areas of opportunity to achieve continuous improvement in your sustainable management efforts.
- Opportunity to participate in Preferred by Nature Sustainable Travel Expert Courses to provide technical knowledge on how certification works and a better understanding of the standard.
- Acquire and update knowledge about sustainable development issues related to the travel industry through informative activities and audit processes.
- Integrate, monitor, and report on actions to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Promotional benefits:
- Use of the Preferred by Nature hummingbird logo as a recognition of your compliance with the standard requirements. Certified companies can use the Preferred by Nature logo on their marketing, promotional and communication materials.
- Tourism organisations that meet all the applicable Indicators of the standard and offset all of their carbon emissions may use the Preferred by Nature Seal and make related off- and on-product claims.
- Be part of the Preferred by Nature’s social media networks and platforms. We actively promote the actions of responsible companies and projects around the world via Tripadvisor's Travel Feed, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) and LinkedIn accounts.
Other benefits:
- Be on third-party listings shared with influential travel industry organisations,through the GSTC Market Access Programme, which channels our active certificate listing to organisations like Booking.com, Agoda.com, Google Hotels, Transat, TUI, and Hotelbeds.com among others.
- Opportunity to share your story and learn about other successes through our organisational networks.
Certification process
You can begin your certification process and receive a service quote by contacting us. We will share information and guide you on the scope of certification that best fits your needs and company set-up. The certification process follows these five steps:
Step 1: Application process
Once we receive your request, our team will contact you and send the initial information kit and application form for you to complete. Based on the information you share, we will provide you with a cost proposal to start your certification process.Step 2: Prepare for certification
After accepting the proposal and signing the Service Agreement, your company need to prepare for the audit based on the requirements of the applicable Sustainable Tourism Standard, both documentary and operationally.Step 3: On-site audit
On the agreed dates, we will conduct either fully on-site or via a partially remote assessment. This is done through document reviews, field inspection of facilities and services, staff and other stakeholder interviews. The average duration of the assessment audit is 3 days, depending on the size and characteristics of the operation.Step 4: Draft report
Once the field audit process is closed, the audit team will prepare the preliminary audit report and after an internal review, it will be sent for your review.Step 5: Certification
If the audit outcome is positive, a certification decision will be made and the certificate will be issued. The Preferred by Nature Sustainable Travel certificate is valid for three years. Within this certification cycle, you will need to undergo annual audits to verify your continued compliance with the requirements. This will be scheduled within 60 days before the anniversary date of the certificate.
To renew the certificate and start a new certification cycle, the company must undergo a re-evaluation audit at the end of the 3-year term.
During each annual audit, the organisation's Sustainability Management System and practices will be evaluated to ensure they maintain compliance with the four principles of this standard:
- Management and business practices are responsible.
- People's well-being and human rights are respected.
- Nature and the environment are protected.
- Climate impacts are reduced and mitigated.
Reassessment audits to renew the certification will evaluate all standard requirements in full.
Complaints and resolutions
If a complaint is raised about our certification services or one of our clients, we handle this in accordance with our Dispute Resolution Policy. We may call on our Impartiality Committee if Preferred by Nature’s impartiality is under question.
Our certification offers travel activities (e.g. Accommodations, Tour Operators and others) around the world the opportunity to reliably promote their commitment and sustainable management within responsible travel markets. Our certification services are available for:
- Accommodation services worldwide, from all-inclusive resorts to jungle lodges and boutique hotels in modern urban or world heritage sites.
- Tour operators ranging from local to regional tour operators who are operating in multiple destinations or countries.
- Other travel activities, including parks, attractions, transportation suppliers and others seeking to demonstrate its true commitment to sustainable travel.
Sustainable Travel Standards
The Preferred by Nature Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0 is now GSTC-Recognised standard by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
This status represents that the standard is equivalent to the GSTC Industry Criteria and remains current on issues that are critical for advancing the global sustainability agenda within the travel sector. Moreover, the standard has been updated and redesigned to align with the Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework, which helps organisations achieve sustainability goals.
The Standard now includes a series of core requirements that encourage sustainable management and practices that positively impact people, nature and climate.
With the implementation of the new Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0, we seek to achieve the following objectives:
Encourage tourism organisations to make sustainability a core part of their business philosophy, management system and commercial strategies, so they can improve their position and reputation in responsible travel markets.
Protect the social well-being, development and human rights of people and communities involved in tourism activities by ensuring fair, equal, and legal labour and commercial practices are implemented, as well as relations that enhance and strengthen economic activities and livelihoods.
Ensure that tourism activities are carried out with respect and appreciation of all cultural expressions while emphasising the importance of preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Preserve the environment and ecosystems in tourist destinations by implementing management systems and practices that protect their integrity and biodiversity, promote the rational use of natural resources, and mitigate negative impacts.
- Recognise certified tourism organisations for their true commitment and genuine efforts to reduce and offset GHG emissions caused by their operations – mitigating the negative impacts of the travel and tourism sector that aggravate climate change.
The standard is designed to apply to any tourism organisation or activity seeking to evaluate, measure and improve its sustainability performance, regardless of its size or type of activity. This includes Accommodations, Tour Operators, Tourist centres or attractions and Multisite organisations and/or groups.
Standard documents
The following documents contain all the requirements applicable to travel activities certification:
- Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0: The standard is now GSTC-Recognised standards, which means that the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has recognised them as equivalent to their GSTC Industry Criteria for sustainable travel.
- Terms and definitions: Definitions of technical terms used in the standard to clarify interpretation of requirements. They are normative when interpreting standard indicators.
Info sheet
Sustainable Travel Certification Info Sheet
The Sustainable Travel Certification has been designed to apply to any tourism ...
The Sustainable Travel Certification has been designed to apply to any tourism ...
Guideline
Sustainable Travel Activities - Terms and Definitions
This document contains a list of terms and definitions that have been used in t...
This document contains a list of terms and definitions that have been used in t...
Standard
Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0
Our Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0 is recognised by the Global...
Our Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0 is recognised by the Global...
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