The Americas and the Caribbean make up over 15% of global tourism, spanning world iconic destinations. The region is defined by diversity and scale – and by growing pressure to evolve. Most tourism businesses across the region are feeling the impact of climate disruptions, resource pressure, and increased scrutiny. With wildfire risks and coral bleaching, or community pushback and rising expectations from both travelers and investors, the industry is being pushed to prove it can protect what it depends on the most. From cruise lines raising supplier standards to booking platforms spotlighting verified sustainability, the shift is already underway.

At UCSL, we meet this moment with confidence and warmth – partnering with hotels, tour operators, and DMCs across North, Central, and South America to achieve GSTC-accredited sustainable tourism certification. Whether your business is located in a bustling city, a remote rainforest lodge, or a vibrant Caribbean port welcoming Shorex travelers each day, our mission is to empower your growth while safeguarding what matters most: local culture, community well-being, and our irreplaceable natural environments.

North America’s travel industry is embracing sustainability as a new standard for success. In the United States and Canada, major hospitality brands and destinations are committing to greener operations, driven by both consumer demand and corporate leadership. In fact, the first hotel in North America to achieve GSTC certification – the Mandarin Oriental, New York – earned its accolade in 2024 with UCSL, signaling a regional milestone for sustainable luxury.
From iconic city hotels enhancing energy performance to wilderness resorts integrating conservation practices, the region is seeing growing momentum. Travelers are actively seeking responsible options, and forward-thinking brands are responding. North America is proving that even in a mature market, innovation and GSTC certification go hand-in-hand to maintain competitiveness and credibility.

UCSL brings an agile, client-focused certification approach to North America, grounded in international credibility and customized for high-performing operations. We support hotels, DMCs, and tourism leaders in translating sustainability ambition into verifiable achievement – with integrity, efficiency, and strategic alignment.

Latin America is home to some of the world’s most iconic and immersive sustainable travel experiences – yet many tourism businesses still face barriers to global recognition. From the Mayan rainforests of Mexico to the high Andes of Peru and the coastal mangroves of Colombia, tourism in the region is increasingly shaped by regeneration, equity, and climate resilience. However, global markets often demand more than intention: they require verified compliance with rigorous international standards.

A new wave of destination managers and tour operators are seeking GSTC certification to enhance positioning and secure higher visibility through OTAs and global partnerships. Countries like Costa Rica, Colombia, and Peru are already recognized leaders in this space, but the momentum is expanding rapidly across Latin America. In May 2024, the GSTC hosted the First Latin American & Caribbean Summit in Santa Marta, Colombia, uniting leaders from 20+ nations to define a shared sustainable tourism roadmap. Shortly thereafter, GSTC announced the Yuluca Alliance, a regional working group tasked with harmonizing sustainability efforts across Latin America and the Caribbean via executive and technical committees.

UCSL responds to this evolving landscape with pragmatic, regionally fluent certification solutions, delivered by local Spanish-speaking auditors who understand the realities on the ground. Whether supporting community-owned lodges in Belize or guiding luxury resorts in Chile, we help clients turn local excellence into globally trusted credibility.

Across the Caribbean, vibrant island ecosystems and deeply rooted cultural identities shape an extraordinary tourism landscape – but also one defined by its operational complexity. From the volcanic peaks of Saint Lucia to the coral atolls of the Bahamas, sustainability here is inseparable from isolation. The logistics of staff training, waste management, and reliable assessments can be daunting. Yet change is underway. Governments, hoteliers, and local operators are increasingly turning to GSTC standards as a framework for building long-term resilience and securing access to global distribution channels.

Cruise tourism, long a dominant force in the region, is undergoing its own sustainability reckoning. With Shorex (shore excursions) now under increased scrutiny, leading cruise lines are encouraging – and in some cases requiring – their tour partners to pursue GSTC certification. This shift is elevating expectations for environmental and social accountability across the region’s most visited ports and excursions.

UCSL supports properties, tour operators, and shorex providers throughout the Caribbean with flexible, context-sensitive certification solutions. Our hybrid delivery model – blending remote documentation review with onsite local auditor support – is particularly suited to island nations where direct access is often limited. From the Dominican Republic to Grenada, our teams bring clarity and structure to clients seeking credible pathways to sustainability.