GreenStep becomes first North American-based organization to launch GSTC Certification for the tourism industry

Delivered in partnership with RoyalCert, a GSTC-accredited Certification Body, certification against the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard gives tour operators and accommodations a globally recognized way to verify sustainability practices and strengthen market access

KELOWNA, B.C., July 7, 2026 — GreenStep has become the first North American-based GSTC-Recognized Standard Owner to make GSTC Certification available to hotels, accommodations, and tour operators. Through a partnership with RoyalCert, a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, tourism businesses can now pursue independent third-party certification against the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard.

“Becoming the first North American-based standard owner to make GSTC Certification available is a major milestone for GreenStep and for the tourism businesses we support,” said Angela Nagy, president and chief executive officer of GreenStep. “Sustainable tourism claims are only as credible as the standard and process behind them. When a business earns GSTC Certification through the GreenStep Standard, that achievement has been independently verified against globally accepted criteria. That rigour is what tourism businesses, destinations, travellers and trade partners need as sustainability becomes a core part of competitiveness.”

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council sets the internationally accepted baseline for credible sustainability in travel and tourism through criteria developed with input from governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and the United Nations. Unlike self-reported sustainability programs, GSTC Certification confirms that a tourism business has been independently audited against these criteria by a third-party GSTC-accredited certification body. Businesses certified through the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard will be audited by RoyalCert, which conducts certification audits in more than 40 countries.

GSTC Certification also drives market access for tourism businesses. GSTC-certified properties are eligible for the GSTC Market Access Program, which provides added visibility on major booking platforms including Booking.com and Trip.com, where certification drives algorithmic preference and feature placement. Major corporate travel managers, including American Express Global Business Travel and BCD Travel, are actively preferencing or requiring GSTC-certified properties, with AMEX GBT targeting certification at 25 per cent of Bookings.

Demand for certification also extends to the largest global tourism sectors. Major international cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean Group and MSC Cruises, now require or prefer that excursion tour operators hold GSTC Certification, making it a procurement requirement for tourism suppliers serving those markets.

“Becoming the first organization based in North America to make GSTC Certification available through a recognized standard is a significant milestone for GreenStep, its strategic partner RoyalCert and the credibility of sustainable tourism across the region,” said Randy Durband, chief executive officer of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

“Partnering with GreenStep reflects our shared commitment to raising the bar for what sustainability certification means in the tourism industry,” said Christos Markopoulos, chief executive officer of RoyalCert. “RoyalCert is proud to support this new program for North American tourism businesses seeking credible, internationally recognized certification.”

GreenStep has been advancing sustainable tourism standards in Canada since October 2020, when the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard became the first Canadian standard to achieve GSTC-Recognized status. This was followed by the GreenStep Destination Standard in December 2021.

Tourism businesses interested in pursuing GSTC Certification through the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard can contact GreenStep.