GSTC

Sustainability Certification in Travel and Tourism
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC) is an international non-governmental organization formed in 2007 with the support of UNEP, UNWTO, conservation groups, and key travel and tourism businesses.

It is the leading global authority in setting and managing global standards for sustainable travel & tourism, known as the GSTC Criteria.

GSTC Certification

GSTC Certification is a premier certification for the tourism industry, ensuring compliance with the highest global standards in hospitality. It can only be conducted by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, providing the highest level of assurance and credibility available today.

Benefits of GSTC Certification

Global Standard and Compliance
Ensures adherence to top international sustainability standards and meets stringent EU and global regulations, including Green Claims Directive and anti-greenwashing efforts.
Accredited Third-Party Certification
Guarantees transparency and impartiality, aligning with international norms, addressing and mitigating greenwashing concerns.
Enhanced Visibility on Major OTAs
Ensures prominent visibility on major online travel agencies (OTAs), aligning with their evolving sustainability policies.
Ensured Operational Excellence and Responsibility
Ensures that your business operates with sound management practices that prioritize long-term sustainability.
Cost Savings
Improves efficiency and reduces costs through effective resource management and enhancement of sustainable practices.
Continuous Improvement

Fosters ongoing innovation and improvement in sustainable practices.
Quality Recognition Label
Offers a unique GSTC logo with a traceable code for quality recognition and marketing purposes, enhancing credibility and attracting eco-conscious guests.
Meaningful Contribution to Better Future of Nature and People
Ensures a significant positive impact on the conservation of nature, protection of cultural heritage, and improvement of livelihoods for local communities.
Pursuing GSTC certification drives operational excellence and enhances your reputation, all while significantly contributing to the well-being of people and our planet. This is why many organizations, even those already holding other sustainability certifications, choose GSTC certification to amplify their impact and deepen their commitment to a sustainable future.
Why Choose UCSL for GSTC Certification?
Our GSTC certification is independently verified by Travalyst, a coalition of major travel brands like Booking.com, Google, and Expedia Group.
Global Presence with a Network of Local Representatives & Auditors
We provide skilled auditors across various regions, ensuring you receive the highest quality GSTC Certification service tailored to your specific location. Operating globally, we focus on the following areas:

  • All European Countries (including the UK, Balkans, and Eastern Europe): Representatives located in Cyprus, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Albania.
  • Caucasus: Dedicated services available across the region with a special focus on Azerbaijan.
  • Middle East: Comprehensive coverage throughout the entire region.
  • Asia, Oceania & Australia: Services provided across the entire region, with a special focus on India and Japan, and a local auditor and representative based in India.
  • North, South, and Central America, and the Caribbean: Comprehensive coverage across the Americas, supported by an auditor based in Mexico.
Unmatched Expertise
Our team of sustainable tourism experts, with over 90% holding PhDs, are recognized globally for their passion and professionalism by prestigious international sustainability awards. They possess extensive knowledge of various industry sectors, local regulations, markets, and languages. We provide tailored solutions to meet your specific needs, all with the meticulous attention to detail that defines premium service.
GSTC-Accredited Certification Body
We at UCSL are proud to be one of the first GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies, providing GSTC Certification for Hotels and Tour Operators.
Partner Aligned with Your Values
At UCSL we transcend the traditional role of a certification body, emerging as pioneers in research and education, spearheading positive change within the tourism industry. Through leadership in research, conservation, and educational efforts, our team embodies our mission, collaborating closely with NGOs and governments worldwide to promote and implement sustainable practices.
We offer services in English, Spanish, Italian, French, Albanian, Russian, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and Chinese.
For assistance and more information about our services in your preferred language and region, please contact our Head Office Program Manager at: a.zavadskaya@UCSL.eu

How to Become GSTC-Certified with Us?

We ensure a transparent and well-supported certification process from start to finish. Here are the key stages of GSTC Certification for hotels and tour operators with our team:
Application Submitting
Contact us to receive an Application Form in your preferred language, tailored to your specific case. This form gathers key details about your business (scope of certification) to determine the audit's duration and cost.
Contract Conclusion
Upon receiving your application, we promptly prepare a Commercial Offer outlining the costs and certification procedures. After agreeing on the terms and conditions, we sign the certification contract and begin planning the audit.
Pre-Audit Remote Documentation Review
As the first stage of the assessment process, we provide a detailed list of required documents for the audit – our ‘translation’ of the GSTC Criteria. Our thorough remote review helps identify any gaps or missing information in advance, and enable the onsite audit to focus more effectively on other critical aspects of your operations.
Preliminary Audit (Optional)
As part of the audit preparation, we can conduct a preliminary assessment (online, onsite or hybrid) to evaluate your property's compliance with GSTC Criteria. This audit results in a detailed report, highlighting any gaps and areas for improvement.
Initial Audit
The initial audit typically lasts for two full days and involves a comprehensive assessment against all GSTC Criteria. Our auditors visit your sites and conduct interviews with staff and suppliers. As a result, you receive a detailed report outlining all audit findings and your sustainability efforts in relation to the 42 GSTC Criteria.
Certificate issuance
If no nonconformities are identified, the GSTC certificate, valid for 3 years, is issued within several days after the initial audit.

GSTC Certificate is valid for 3 years, requiring re-certification thereafter




Annual surveillance audits, typically lasting no longer than 1.5 days, affirm your continued compliance with GSTC Criteria.


At the end of the certification cycle, a full 2-day audit is conducted to evaluate compliance, and a new certificate is issued based on the results.

We Provide Single, Group and Multi-Site GSTC Certification

Our Clients

What Our Clients Tell About Us
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
“Being GSTC-Certified is a testament to our dedication to not only offering luxury but also being responsible stewards of our environment and community. The process was certainly comprehensive and thorough. From initial evaluations to accommodating rigorous on-site audits, it took us several months to become certified by UCSL. Being situated in the heart of London, there were unique challenges related to space and urban dynamics. However, this certification makes us exceptionally proud as it signifies our commitment to sustainability, even within the urban and historically rich setting of London.”
Casale Panayiotis Hotel (Cyprus)
“As the first and only hotel in Cyprus to be GSTC-Certified, this recognition reinforces our unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and eco-friendly initiatives… We owe a huge thank you to UCSL United Certification Systems LTD for their relentless efforts in pushing us to achieve GSTC Certification. Their guidance has been instrumental in steering our sustainability journey towards success… We are proud to lead the way in Cyprus and inspire others to join us in creating a more sustainable and responsible tourism industry.”
S Paul Hotel (Cyprus)
“For us, GSTC Certification is very important. It’s not something we wanted for the marketing; it’s something we believe in and something we respect. Having that certificate means people can actually find the information and see the work we’ve done. If you’ve gone through an audit, it’s actual proof that every single detail is checked and that you’ve been awarded the certificate because you’ve done things in respect to the planet and sustainability. So, it was worth the time, the effort. It was amazing because we’ve learned so much, thanks to UCSL United Certification Systems LTD.”
GSTC Criteria
The GSTC Industry Criteria for Hotels & Tour Operators
encompass 42 essential benchmarks distributed across four foundational pillars:
(A) Sustainability Management
demonstrating effective sustainable management
(B) Social & Economic Benefits
maximizing benefits to the host community and minimizing negative impacts
(C) Cultural Heritage
maximizing benefits to communities, visitors and culture, and minimizing negative impacts
(D) Environment
maximizing benefits to the environment and minimizing negative impacts

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