Sustainable certification schemes for hotels ABTA and ANVR are committed to promoting credible and consistent sustainability standards across travel and tourism, to support both consumer trust and responsible supply chains.
Sustainable certification schemes for hotels ABTA and ANVR are committed to promoting credible and consistent sustainability standards across travel and tourism, to support both consumer trust and responsible supply chains.
Sustainable certification schemes for hotels IntroductionABTA and ANVR are committed to promoting credible and consistent sustainability standards across travel and tourism, to support both consumer trust and responsible supply chains. In response to member feedback, we’ve revised our approach to identifying sustainable certification schemes for hotels. Following this review, the ABTA/ANVR list of sustainability certification schemes for accommodation has been updated. EligibilityTo be included on the list, schemes must provide sustainability certification specific to accommodations, developed with stakeholder input, and be verified through an independent, competent process. We accept that these requirements are met if a scheme is either:Part of the GSTC Market Access Program or,Has provided ABTA with a signed commitment to achieve accreditation by the end of 2026 from a national accreditation body that is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).The listed schemes require compliance to be demonstrated through an objective verification procedure, carried out by an independent and competent body – whether a third-party organisation or an auditor appointed by a government authority – in line with international, EU, or national standards and procedures. Part of the GSTC Market Access Program:Standard used for certification: GSTC Criteria & Turkiye Sustainable Tourism Industry Criteria (TR-I)Bureau VeritasDream&CharmeControl UnionRoyalCert Standard used for certification: Turkiye Sustainable Tourism Industry Criteria (TR-I) FQCTRBTUV Austria TurkTUV Rheinland ChinaStandard used for certification: Mauritian Standard on Sustainable Tourism: Blue OasisMauritian Standard BureauStandard used for certification: GSTC CriteriaUnited Certification Systems LimitedVireo SrlRecognised Standard Owner: The Austrian Federal Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism (Österreichisches Umweltzeichen)Austrian Ecolabel for TourismRecognised Standard Owner: Institute for Quality Management and Intellectual Property (IGQPI)Cabo Verde Sustainability Standard for Tourist AccommodationsRecognised Standard Owner: SERNATURChile Sistema de Distinción en Turismo Sustentable (SERNATUR) Sello SRecognised Standard Owner: The Costa Rican Tourism BoardCosta Rica Certification for Sustainable TourismRecognised Standard Owner: EarthCheck Pty LimitedEarthCheck Evaluate and Company StandardsRecognised Standard Owner: IntertekEcoCheck StandardRecognised Standard Owner: Green Growth 2050Green Growth 2050 StandardRecognised Standard Owner: Egyptian Hotel AssociationGreen Star Hotel StandardRecognised Standard Owner: InfraCert GmbHGreenSign Certification CatalogRecognised Standard Owner: GreenStepGreenStep Sustainable Tourism StandardRecognised Standard Owner: Asociación de Hoteles de Turismo Argentina (AHT)Hoteles más Verdes (AHT) StandardRecognised Standard Owner: Miosotis Azores StandardMiosotis Azores StandardRecognised Standard Owner: Preferred by NaturePreferred by Nature Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities V1.0Recognised Standard Owner: QualmarkQualmark Sustainable Tourism Business CriteriaRecognised Standard Owner: Sakura Quality Management Co., LDTSakura Quality an ESG Practice StandardRecognised Standard Owner: Tourism Department – Ministry of TourismSeychelles Sustainable Tourism Label (SSTL) CriteriaRecognised Standard Owner: visitBerlinSustainable Berlin StandardRecognised Standard Owner: Department of Climate Change and Environment of Thailand (DCCE)Thailand’s Green Hotel PlusRecognised Standard Owner: PUG audit (TOFTigers)TOFTigers Initiative Pug Standard Has provided a signed commitment to ABTA :Biosphere Standard for HotelsEcotourism Australia’s StandardsGreen Key CriteriaGreen Key Eco-RatingTourCert Industry CriteriaTravelife Standard for Accommodation If your scheme meets the eligibility criteria but does not currently appear on the list, please contact ABTA: sustainability@abta.co.ukThe list – and any new applications to be included on it – are reviewed quarterly by ABTA’s sustainability department. ABTA supportABTA is here to support member tour operators and their suppliers in planning a smooth transition. We encourage hotels and partners currently using non-eligible schemes to engage with their providers early and plan their steps towards compliance.This approach helps reduce the risk of using schemes that do not meet recognised standards, while supporting our members in raising sustainability performance across the industry. Important notesInclusion on the lists does not represent a recommendation, approval, guarantee, or endorsement by ABTA, ANVR, or our members. The lists are provided free of charge, and businesses do not pay to be included.Due to ongoing changes in EU legislation, the eligibility criteria and the list of recognised certifications may be subject to revision.
