Our Partners
Connected by Shared Values. United for Lasting Impact.
Trusted Globally
At UCSL, we proudly guide businesses worldwide on their path to GSTC Certification. From renowned luxury hotels to innovative tour operators, our clients span diverse regions and industries, united by a shared commitment to sustainability.
Our Partners
At UCSL, collaboration with local businesses and professionals is fundamental to achieving true sustainability. By partnering with organizations worldwide, we contribute to advancing research and building local expertise and awareness.
The organisations below cooperate with UCSL under clearly defined arrangements. Unless expressly stated, they do not provide certification on UCSL’s behalf or have authority over UCSL’s technical review or certification decisions.
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World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance – Strategic Sustainability PartnerUCSL’s strategic partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together global industry reach and certification expertise to advance sustainability awareness, education and practical support across the hospitality sector. Alliance members also benefit from dedicated conditions for GSTC-accredited certification with UCSL.
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World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance – Strategic Sustainability Partner
About the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is a leading global coalition working to accelerate the hospitality industry’s transition towards Net Positive Hospitality, creating lasting value for people, communities, destinations and the planet.
Its global network represents 66,000 hotels, more than 8 million rooms and over 300 hospitality brands, supported by more than 50 supply-chain and strategic partners worldwide. By bringing together industry leaders and organisations across the wider hospitality value chain, the Alliance enables collective action on the sector’s most important environmental and social challenges.
Its global network represents 66,000 hotels, more than 8 million rooms and over 300 hospitality brands, supported by more than 50 supply-chain and strategic partners worldwide. By bringing together industry leaders and organisations across the wider hospitality value chain, the Alliance enables collective action on the sector’s most important environmental and social challenges.
Strategic Sustainability Partnership
UCSL and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance combine the Alliance’s global reach and convening power with UCSL’s expertise in sustainability standards, certification processes and practical implementation. Two organizations formalised their strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025.
The partnership contributes to industry awareness, education and knowledge sharing through expert insights, webinars, workshops, communication initiatives, and the development of practical materials and resources for Alliance members and the wider hospitality community.
The partnership contributes to industry awareness, education and knowledge sharing through expert insights, webinars, workshops, communication initiatives, and the development of practical materials and resources for Alliance members and the wider hospitality community.
Exclusive Support for Alliance Members
Members of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance pursuing GSTC-accredited certification with UCSL have access to a dedicated support package, including:
- preferential certification fees;
- a complimentary initial remote pre-assessment;
- tailored onboarding and coordination support;
- interactive webinars, workshops and Q&A sessions;
- priority pre-audit and audit scheduling.
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Official partnership announcement by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance:
UCSL and the Alliance partner to advance global sustainability standards in hospitality
Official partnership announcement by UCSL:
UCSL and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Sign MoU
Visit the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance:
www.sustainablehospitalityalliance.org
UCSL and the Alliance partner to advance global sustainability standards in hospitality
Official partnership announcement by UCSL:
UCSL and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Sign MoU
Visit the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance:
www.sustainablehospitalityalliance.org
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Royal Caribbean Group – Sustainable Shore Excursions CollaborationUCSL supports Royal Caribbean Group’s Sustainable Shore Excursions goals by making GSTC-accredited certification more accessible to shore excursion providers worldwide. Royal Caribbean operators benefit from dedicated conditions, cruise-sector expertise and practical certification support tailored to multi-port and destination-based operations.
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Royal Caribbean Group – Sustainable Shore Excursions Collaboration
Royal Caribbean Group and Sustainable Shore Excursions
Royal Caribbean Group is one of the world’s leading cruise companies, bringing together global vacation brands including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.
Through its SEA the Future framework, the Group is advancing more responsible tourism across its operations and destinations, including through its Sustainable Shore Excursions Program. The program encourages shore excursion providers to strengthen their sustainability performance and pursue certification by a GSTC-accredited certification body.
Royal Caribbean Group has set a target for at least 60% of the tours sold to its guests to be delivered by GSTC Certified tour operators. Certified providers may receive priority in the RCG bidding process, recognition at the point of sale as Sustainable Shore Excursions, and increased visibility across selected RCG marketing channels.
Through its SEA the Future framework, the Group is advancing more responsible tourism across its operations and destinations, including through its Sustainable Shore Excursions Program. The program encourages shore excursion providers to strengthen their sustainability performance and pursue certification by a GSTC-accredited certification body.
Royal Caribbean Group has set a target for at least 60% of the tours sold to its guests to be delivered by GSTC Certified tour operators. Certified providers may receive priority in the RCG bidding process, recognition at the point of sale as Sustainable Shore Excursions, and increased visibility across selected RCG marketing channels.
Support for Royal Caribbean Shore Excursion Providers
UCSL supports Royal Caribbean Group’s sustainability goals by making credible GSTC-accredited certification more accessible to its shore excursion providers worldwide.
Our experience spans the full diversity of the cruise sector – from large, multi-port destination management companies operating across several countries to small local tour operators on remote Caribbean islands. This gives UCSL a practical understanding of the realities shore excursion providers face, including complex supplier networks, island logistics, seasonal demand, and operations across multiple ports, destinations and regulatory environments.
Royal Caribbean shore excursion providers have access to a dedicated UCSL support package developed around these realities. It includes 20% preferential pricing on UCSL’s base certification fees, self-assessment tools and optional pre-assessment, direct access to UCSL specialists, local and regional auditors across major cruise destinations, and audit planning adapted to multi-port and multi-destination operations.
Reflecting our cruise-sector expertise and dedicated support for its supplier network, UCSL is featured as one of the recommended GSTC-accredited certification providers in Royal Caribbean Group’s official Sustainable Certification Manual and Guidance for tour operators.
Our experience spans the full diversity of the cruise sector – from large, multi-port destination management companies operating across several countries to small local tour operators on remote Caribbean islands. This gives UCSL a practical understanding of the realities shore excursion providers face, including complex supplier networks, island logistics, seasonal demand, and operations across multiple ports, destinations and regulatory environments.
Royal Caribbean shore excursion providers have access to a dedicated UCSL support package developed around these realities. It includes 20% preferential pricing on UCSL’s base certification fees, self-assessment tools and optional pre-assessment, direct access to UCSL specialists, local and regional auditors across major cruise destinations, and audit planning adapted to multi-port and multi-destination operations.
Reflecting our cruise-sector expertise and dedicated support for its supplier network, UCSL is featured as one of the recommended GSTC-accredited certification providers in Royal Caribbean Group’s official Sustainable Certification Manual and Guidance for tour operators.
Visit Royal Caribbean Group:
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Phuket Hotels Association – GSTC Awareness & Member SupportUCSL works with the Phuket Hotels Association to strengthen awareness and practical understanding of GSTC Hotel Certification across Phuket’s hospitality community. Association members have access to preferential conditions, local expertise and dedicated support throughout the certification journey.
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Phuket Hotels Association – GSTC Awareness & Member Support
Phuket Hotels Association and Sustainable Hospitality in Phuket
The Phuket Hotels Association is a nonprofit organisation bringing together more than 110 member hotels and affiliates, from independent boutique properties to leading international hospitality brands.
Through its work in education, environmental action, destination development and industry collaboration, the Association supports Phuket’s growth as a responsible, resilient and globally recognised hospitality destination. Sustainability is central to this mission, reflected in initiatives such as professional education programmes, environmental workshops, Phuket Green Day and PHIST – Phuket Hotels Island Sustainable Tourism, the Association’s flagship sustainability event.
Through its work in education, environmental action, destination development and industry collaboration, the Association supports Phuket’s growth as a responsible, resilient and globally recognised hospitality destination. Sustainability is central to this mission, reflected in initiatives such as professional education programmes, environmental workshops, Phuket Green Day and PHIST – Phuket Hotels Island Sustainable Tourism, the Association’s flagship sustainability event.
Support for Phuket Hotels Association Members
UCSL supports the Association’s sustainability efforts by helping Phuket hotels build a practical understanding of the GSTC Hotel Standard and access credible GSTC-accredited certification.
Phuket Hotels Association members pursuing certification with UCSL have access to a dedicated support package that includes 20% preferential pricing on UCSL’s base certification fees, self-assessment tools and optional pre-assessment, direct access to UCSL specialists, Phuket-based auditors, additional group conditions where several member hotels begin certification together, visibility for successful early adopters through UCSL communication channels.
The cooperation also includes educational and awareness-building activities for Association members. UCSL recently delivered an introductory webinar covering the GSTC certification process, preparation expectations and practical questions from participating hotels.
Phuket Hotels Association members pursuing certification with UCSL have access to a dedicated support package that includes 20% preferential pricing on UCSL’s base certification fees, self-assessment tools and optional pre-assessment, direct access to UCSL specialists, Phuket-based auditors, additional group conditions where several member hotels begin certification together, visibility for successful early adopters through UCSL communication channels.
The cooperation also includes educational and awareness-building activities for Association members. UCSL recently delivered an introductory webinar covering the GSTC certification process, preparation expectations and practical questions from participating hotels.
Visit Phuket Hotels Association:
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QualStar – UCSL Authorized Audit SubcontractorAs a UCSL Authorized Audit Subcontractor, QualStar supports GSTC audit activities and operational coordination in India and selected markets in Asia and the Middle East. All technical reviews, certification decisions and certificates remain the sole responsibility of UCSL.
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QualStar – UCSL Authorized Audit Subcontractor
About QualStar
QualStar is an India-based hotel classification and quality assurance organisation working with hotels and tourist accommodations to assess and strengthen their product and service standards.
Through its own QualStar classification scheme, the organisation supports greater transparency, guest confidence and continuous improvement across the hospitality sector. QualStar’s own classification and quality-assurance activities are separate from the GSTC certification services provided by UCSL.
Through its own QualStar classification scheme, the organisation supports greater transparency, guest confidence and continuous improvement across the hospitality sector. QualStar’s own classification and quality-assurance activities are separate from the GSTC certification services provided by UCSL.
UCSL Authorized Audit Subcontractor
QualStar supports UCSL in market outreach, delivery of selected GSTC certification audit activities for hotels in India, and some markets in Asia and the Middle East.
Under its subcontracting arrangement with UCSL, QualStar may coordinate audit logistics, provide auditors approved by UCSL, conduct assigned audit and evaluation activities, and prepare audit reports and supporting records. All such activities are carried out in accordance with UCSL procedures, competence requirements and oversight controls.
Under its subcontracting arrangement with UCSL, QualStar may coordinate audit logistics, provide auditors approved by UCSL, conduct assigned audit and evaluation activities, and prepare audit reports and supporting records. All such activities are carried out in accordance with UCSL procedures, competence requirements and oversight controls.
Certification Responsibility and Independence
QualStar is not a GSTC-accredited certification body and does not independently provide, grant or issue GSTC certification.
QualStar’s role within this cooperation is limited to assigned audit activities and related operational support. Its auditors act on behalf of UCSL for the specific audit assignment, and Qualstar has no authority to perform UCSL’s technical review, make certification decisions, issue certificates, or decide on the maintenance, extension, suspension or withdrawal of certification. All technical reviews, certification decisions and certificates remain the sole responsibility of UCSL United Certification Systems Limited.
The involvement of QualStar as an audit subcontractor does not change the applicable certification requirements, audit depth or the independence of UCSL’s certification decisions.
QualStar’s role within this cooperation is limited to assigned audit activities and related operational support. Its auditors act on behalf of UCSL for the specific audit assignment, and Qualstar has no authority to perform UCSL’s technical review, make certification decisions, issue certificates, or decide on the maintenance, extension, suspension or withdrawal of certification. All technical reviews, certification decisions and certificates remain the sole responsibility of UCSL United Certification Systems Limited.
The involvement of QualStar as an audit subcontractor does not change the applicable certification requirements, audit depth or the independence of UCSL’s certification decisions.
Visit QualStar:
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Safe Audit – Referral & Market Awareness Partner in North Africa and the Middle EastAs UCSL’s Referral & Market Awareness Partner in North Africa and the Middle East, Safe Audit supports regional awareness of GSTC certification and connects interested organisations with UCSL.
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Safe Audit – Referral & Market Awareness Partner in North Africa and the Middle East
About QualStar
Safe Audit provides health, safety, sustainability and compliance services to the hospitality and tourism industry. With over 15 years of experience, the company works with hotels, resorts, restaurants and tourism businesses to support safer, more sustainable and compliant operations.
Safe Audit develops tailored solutions based on the needs and operating context of each client, with a focus on transparency, continuous improvement and responsible business practices.
Safe Audit develops tailored solutions based on the needs and operating context of each client, with a focus on transparency, continuous improvement and responsible business practices.
Referral & Market Awareness Partner
Safe Audit supports UCSL in raising awareness of GSTC certification across the region, connecting interested organisations with UCSL and facilitating initial introductions and communications.
Safe Audit is an independent professional services company and may provide its own services directly to clients, separately from UCSL certification. Neither this partnership nor any separate services provided by Safe Audit give a client any advantage in the certification process, make certification simpler, faster or more likely, guarantee certification, or influence UCSL audit findings, technical review or certification decisions.
Safe Audit is an independent professional services company and may provide its own services directly to clients, separately from UCSL certification. Neither this partnership nor any separate services provided by Safe Audit give a client any advantage in the certification process, make certification simpler, faster or more likely, guarantee certification, or influence UCSL audit findings, technical review or certification decisions.
Certification independence
Any GSTC certification services arising through this partnership are provided independently by UCSL United Certification Systems Limited. Safe Audit is not a GSTC-accredited certification body and has no authority to determine UCSL certification pricing, audit duration, auditor assignment, technical review or certification decisions.
Visit Safe Audit:
What Our Clients Say
UCSL offers a tailored approach to certification that suits every scale and ambition. Hear directly from our clients about their experiences working with us, their journey toward achieving GSTC certification, and the tangible benefits for their reputation, operations, and guest satisfaction.
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