Fernie, British Columbia Achieves Sustainable Tourism Bronze Certification
Feature image: Downtown Fernie by Tourism Fernie / Lizzy Reimer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FERNIE, CANADA – Tourism Fernie is pleased to announce a significant milestone in the community’s ongoing commitment to becoming a more sustainable destination. After more than a year of comprehensive assessment, documentation, and third-party review, Fernie has officially been recognized with a Bronze certification through GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism program.
The certification process involved a detailed evaluation of Fernie’s performance across four key pillars of sustainability: environmental, socio-economic, natural and cultural, and destination management. This assessment is based on GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Destination Standard, which is aligned to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“We are delighted to recognize Tourism Fernie with our Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification. Their dedication to advancing sustainable tourism demonstrates true leadership and encourages a more thoughtful, responsible, and community-centred approach to visitor experiences in Fernie.” – Angela Nagy, President & CEO, GreenStep
Using extensive evidence submitted by Tourism Fernie, GreenStep’s assessor team conducted a thorough verification process to confirm compliance with certification criteria. With the successful completion of this process, Tourism Fernie now joins a growing group of Canadian destinations certified under this global standard for destination management.
The assessment process was led by Corien Sieders, Manager Destination Management & Development of Tourism Fernie. Supported by a committed team and strong collaboration with community partners, the pursuit of certification reflected Fernie’s shared dedication to advancing sustainable tourism and building on the progress already made through local initiatives, such as AmbassadorWild.
Reflecting on the achievement, Tourism Fernie shared:
“We’re proud to share that Fernie has achieved the Bronze GreenStep certification—an important milestone not just for us, but for the entire Fernie community.
This recognition reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, responsible growth, and protecting the natural environment that makes Fernie so special. From reducing environmental impact to supporting local initiatives, this certification highlights the collective efforts of businesses, residents, and organizations working toward a more sustainable future.
It’s a meaningful step forward, and a strong foundation to continue building a greener, more resilient Fernie for generations to come.”
About Tourism Fernie
Tourism Fernie is the official destination management and marketing organization for Fernie, British Columbia. Dedicated to supporting a vibrant, sustainable visitor economy, Tourism Fernie works collaboratively with local businesses, government, and community partners to promote Fernie as a year-round mountain destination. Through strategic marketing, destination development, and responsible tourism initiatives, the organization aims to enhance the visitor experience while contributing to the wellbeing and resilience of the community.
About GreenStep
Founded in 2008 in Canada, GreenStep transforms sustainability into a competitive advantage for businesses by helping them measure and reduce their carbon footprints and improve their sustainability performance. As a tech-enabled consulting firm, GreenStep pairs technology with a team of sustainability experts to provide a wide variety of services, including carbon measurement, energy studies, sustainability and net-zero strategy, action planning, and certifications. GreenStep has helped thousands of businesses across North America identify opportunities to go green while saving money, building their brand, and meeting the growing consumer and regulatory demand for responsible business. GreenStep is proud to be Climate Neutral Certified, Living Wage Certified, Rainbow Registered, and a Certified B Corp.
For media inquiries:
Tourism Fernie
Corien Sanders
Manager, Destination Management & Development
[email protected]
250-464-9551
GreenStep
Kinsey Elliott
Marketing Manager
[email protected]
519-802-0801
