The Americas & the Caribbean
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.
Global Standards, Local Impact, Real Business Results – Grow Smarter with GSTC Certification
The GSTC framework gives your business the structure it needs to:
  • say sustainability influences their booking decisions (Booking.com Sustainable Travel Report, 2025)
  • hotels with strong sustainability strategies can reduce costs by up to 30% (Sustainable Hospitality Alliance research)
  • Strengthen investment readiness
    signal credibility and compliance to banks, investors, and development partners
  • Access new B2B markets
    OTAs, tour operators, and corporate buyers now prioritize certified providers
  • Comply with Evolving Cruise Line Expectations
    GSTC certification is increasingly expected by global cruise operators for DMCs and shore excursion partners
  • Deliver meaningful experiences while protecting your destination
    meet demand for authenticity and slow travel, and preserve what your guests value most
Identify blind spots, set meaningful goals, and improve how your business operates – day in, day out. The result? A leaner, more resilient operation with a stronger reputation and broader market access. An essential move for staying relevant, profitable, and future-ready.
Meet Our Local Team
GSTC Lead Auditor in the Americas and the Carribean
Email: david.ortegon@gmail.com
Location: Cancún, Mexico
"In every audit, I see the commitment that tourism businesses bring to their communities and ecosystems. My role is to make sure that this dedication is seen, understood, and translated into credibility – without losing what makes each place unique.”
David Andrés Ortegón-Martínez
GSTC Lead Auditor in the Americas and the Carribean
Email: david.ortegon@gmail.com
Location: Cancún, Mexico
David holds an International Master’s degree in Local and Rural Development from the Polytechnic University of Madrid in Spain, achieved through the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, as well as a Master’s in Environmental Leadership and Management from the University for International Cooperation in San José, Costa Rica. Additionally, David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, specializing in Functional Ecology, from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, one of Colombia’s most renowned universities.

With a career spanning Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean David’s expertise includes sustainable tourism certification, environmental impact assessments, and climate action strategies. His academic knowledge and practical, detail-oriented approach make him a trusted auditor, helping businesses foster meaningful change within their operations.
Fluent in Spanish, French, and English, David fosters effective communication and collaboration across diverse cultural and organizational settings. His precise and detail-oriented approach makes him a trusted auditor for businesses looking to achieve certification and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

David’s extensive background, coupled with his dedication to advancing sustainable tourism, makes him an integral part of UCSL’s mission. His leadership ensures that UCSL continues to empower businesses across the Americas and the Carribean regions to thrive while protecting the environment and contributing to the well-being of their communities.
For the past 15 years, I have experienced sustainable tourism from multiple angles, understanding the perspectives of industry stakeholders and the challenges they face every day. I strongly believe that tourism holds the potential to drive sustainable development, but achieving this requires collective effort and transformation. At UCSL, I found an organization that shares this vision and provides the tools to make it a reality. This work allows me to take an active role in guiding the industry toward a future where tourism delivers real, positive impacts for people and the planet.”
As UCSL’s Lead Auditor in the Americas and the Caribbean, David plays a critical role in empowering hotels and tour operators across the region to align with GSTC standards and elevate their sustainability practices. Based in Mexico, David is a seasoned sustainability professional with over 15 years of auditing experience and expertise in sustainability, quality management, environmental management, health and safety, sustainable agriculture, and forestry.

David has extensive experience in the development and direction of effective sustainable management systems and ESG project portfolios in the agri-food and tourism industries. He has led multidisciplinary teams focused on advancing competitive, innovative, resilient, profitable, and sustainable industries in a decarbonized economy. With in-depth knowledge of international sustainability standards, certification and accreditation schemes, and ESG reporting frameworks, David ensures that businesses not only meet rigorous sustainability standards but also foster ongoing meaningful change within their operations.
Ready to bring your commitment to the global stage?
Certification is not the finish line, it’s the foundation. For access. For relevance. For resilience. If your business is ready to lead and move forward with purpose – let’s talk.
Regional Highlights and Milestones
Pioneering change in a mature market
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.
Clients Stories
  • The first hotels in North America to achieve GSTC certification – Both certified by UCSL in 2024 after a hybrid process involving structured remote pre-assessment, and carefully coordinated onsite initial audits.
Milestones
From rainforests to the Andes – sustainability with purpose
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.
Recent Collaborations
  • UCSL is currently engaged in certification projects across Mexico, Belize, and Chile – supporting tourism providers ranging from small DMCs seeking a sustainability edge to upscale city hotels aiming for global recognition. Our approach combines international quality standards with deep local insight, empowering Latin American businesses to thrive in an era of purposeful travel.
Milestones
Where remoteness meets resilience
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.
Recent Collaborations
  • UCSL is currently working with multiple shore excursion providers and a luxury resort located on some of the world’s most remote small islands in the region. These clients began their GSTC certification journey with us in early 2025, supported by our local Spanish- and English-speaking audit team and a flexible remote documentation review model designed for hard-to-reach destinations.
Milestones
Watch, Learn, and Get Inspired
FAQs for Tourism Businesses in the Americas & Caribbean
Ready to Begin?
Get in touch with our team for a pre-assessment or informational call.