GSTC Certification

GreenStep is now offering GSTC Certification against our Canadian-made GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard.

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The global standard for sustainable tourism

GSTC Certification is the globally recognized standard for sustainable tourism. It is earned through a formal third-party audit that verifies your business meets international sustainability standards for tourism. GreenStep offers GSTC Certification against the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard through our partnership with RoyalCert, a GSTC-Accredited Certification body.

A globally recognized certificate

A GSTC certificate issued by RoyalCert, a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, with a unique verification code that anyone can check.

Credibility for your sustainability claims

Canada’s Competition Act, amended through Bill C-59, requires businesses to substantiate environmental claims with adequate, proper, and recognized proof.

OTA visibility and booking preference

Sustainability recognition on the biggest OTAs like Booking.com, Trip.com and Agoda.com with algorithmic preference in search results.

EU market readiness

The EU’s Empowering Consumers Directive, in effect September 2026, means any tourism business marketing to European travellers is in scope, regardless of where it operates.

Access to corporate travel programs

AMEX GBT, BCD Travel, and CWT are actively preferencing or requiring GSTC-certified properties.

A North American-built standard

The GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard is the only GSTC-Recognized Standard developed by a Canadian organization.

GSTC Certification

How it works 

Step one:

Start the conversation

You reach out to GreenStep. We walk you through the process, what to expect, timelines, and costs specific to your business.

Step two:

Application

We complete your application with you and determine the scope and duration of your audit by the independent auditor, RoyalCert.

Step three:

Agreement

We’ll share an agreement to engage RoyalCert and introduce your Lead Auditor.  Agreements are for a three-year term.

Step four:

Audit preparation

Your RoyalCert Lead Auditor will prepare an Audit Plan and shares it with you ahead of the audit.

Step five:

On-site audit

RoyalCert conducts a full on-site audit against all criteria in the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard. Any nonconformities are identified and documented.

Step six:

Close nonconformities

If nonconformities are identified, you will have 90 days to submit corrective action evidence. Once closed, RoyalCert compiles the full audit file.

Step seven:

Certification decision and certificate

RoyalCert’s Technical Review team independently validates the audit file. On a positive outcome, RoyalCert issues your GSTC certificate.

Step eight:

Annual surveillance and renewal

Certification is valid for three years. RoyalCert conducts annual surveillance audits to verify continued conformity, with a full recertification audit at cycle end.

Pricing depends on the size, type, and evaluated risk of your operation, and whether you are pursuing individual or group certification. Contact GreenStep for a quote.

How the GSTC Framework works

Who’s involved

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

Sets the global framework for sustainable tourism. Accredits Certification Bodies and recognizes standards.

Learn more about the GSTC
GreenStep – Recognized Standard Owner

Owns the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard, recognized by GSTC. Manages the certification process on behalf of clients, from expression of interest through application, contracting, and audit preparation.

RoyalCert – GSTC Accredited Certification Body

Conducts all independent on-site audits and issues GSTC certificates against the GreenStep Standard.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROYALCERT

What is the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard?

The GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard is a set of sustainability criteria developed and maintained by GreenStep for hotels, accommodations, and tour operators. It covers four pillars: sustainable management, socioeconomic impacts, cultural impacts, and environmental impacts, across 87 criteria.

In October 2020, it became the first Canadian standard to be formally recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as equivalent to the GSTC Standards. It is the only GSTC-Recognized Standard developed by a Canadian organization, and the standard against which all GSTC Certification through GreenStep is assessed.

Businesses pursuing GSTC Certification against the GreenStep Standard are independently audited by RoyalCert, a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body operating in 40+ countries. RoyalCert conducts all audits and issues all GSTC certificates. The certification decision is made independently by RoyalCert, which is what gives the credential its third-party credibility.

A standard made for hotels, accommodations and tour operators

Individual operators

  • For individual hotels, accommodations, and tour operators pursuing GSTC Certification for one property or operation.

Multi-property and large portfolios

  • For hotel groups, chains, and multi-property operators looking to certify multiple properties under one program.
Understanding your options

Sustainable Tourism Pathway and GSTC Certification

The GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Pathway and GSTC Certification serve different purposes and different stages. Many businesses work through the Pathway first, then pursue GSTC Certification when they are ready for independent verification.
GSTC Certification
Sustainable Tourism Pathway

Globally recognized standard

Independent third-party audit

Optional

Certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body

Covers social, environmental, cultural, and governance aspects

Recognized by major booking platforms and corporate travel buyers

Some

Accessible entry point

GSTC Certification
Sustainable Tourism Pathway

Other sustainable tourism programs and labels

Internationally recognized standard

Independent third-party audit

Certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body

Covers social, environmental, cultural, and governance aspects

Recognized by major booking platforms and corporate travel buyers

Partial

Accessible entry point

Not sure where you’re at? Take our free assessment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about GSTC Certification

Organizations typically take from 2 to 6 months to complete the process, from contracting to certification. The timeline depends significantly on the time the applicant takes to submit data and evidence, and the time taken to complete any non-conformities after the audit is complete (up to an additional 90 days).

Pricing depends on the size and type of your operation, and whether you’re pursuing individual or group certification. Contact GreenStep for a quote and we’ll walk you through what to expect.

RoyalCert, a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, conducts the independent audit and issues the GSTC certificate against the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard. GreenStep manages the certification process, but the final certification decision comes from RoyalCert.

GSTC Certification is valid for three years. Annual surveillance audits are conducted to verify continued conformity. At the end of the three-year cycle, a full recertification audit takes place.

Not currently. GSTC Certification through GreenStep is available for hotels, accommodations, and tour operators against GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Standard. GreenStep does hold a GSTC-Recognized Destination Standard, but GSTC Destination Certification is not currently offered. Destination organizations can join GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Destination Pathway.

Destination organizations including DMOs, regional tourism bodies, and municipalities can work with GreenStep through the Sustainable Tourism Destination Pathway, and can partner with GreenStep to help their local operators access GSTC Certification.

The Pathway and GSTC Certification are built on the same GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard, but they serve different purposes.

The Sustainable Tourism Pathway is designed for businesses actively building their sustainability practices. Participants work through the Standard’s criteria and earn a level from 1 to 5 based on their progress, building toward formal measurement of their sustainability efforts over time.

GSTC Certification is for businesses that have already implemented the Standard across their operations and are ready for independent, third-party verification. It requires a rigorous on-site audit by RoyalCert, a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, with the certification decision made independently by RoyalCert. The resulting certificate is recognized globally within the GSTC framework.

A business early in its sustainability journey is unlikely to be ready for GSTC Certification. Reaching Level 5 on the Pathway is a strong indicator of readiness, though not a formal requirement. Many businesses work through the Pathway first, then pursue certification when that foundation is in place.

GreenStep is the only organization in Canada to own a GSTC-Recognized Standard. That means the standard your business is audited against was developed in Canada, by a team with deep knowledge of the Canadian and North American tourism landscape, regulatory environment, and market context, while still meeting the globally recognized criteria set by the GSTC.

As the owner of the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standard, we are the experts on what the standard requires and how to meet it. We guide you through every stage, from first inquiry through to audit preparation, coordinating with RoyalCert throughout, so you can focus on what matters most: preparing for your audit and running your business.

Not sure where to start?

Book a free consultation with one of our team members to discuss your ideas and key drivers, and we’ll see if there’s a good fit based on your needs.

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Join the Sustainable Tourism Pathway

GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Pathway helps businesses within the tourism industry to communicate their sustainability efforts with credibility, based on globally recognized standards.

For DESTINATIONS FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES

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Destination360

Your sustainability journey starts here

Destination360 guides you from strategy and measurement to implementation and impact. We are here to help destinations and their businesses advance sustainability at every stage.

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Looking for a member?

Explore our Member Directory to see who’s part of the community.

Discover where members are located, what they do, and how they measure up through their sustainability performance and achievements.

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Fund your decarbonization

Discover the innovative funding model program that helps businesses fund decarbonization projects while increasing their business value.

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Ready to get started on your sustainability journey?

Book a free consultation with one of our expert team members.

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