Sondor Travel Becomes the First Tour Operator in Albania to Achieve GSTC Certification
This national first builds momentum for sustainable tourism throughout the entire region and paves
the way for others to follow
the way for others to follow
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL), a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, is proud to announce that Sondor Travel, a leading inbound tour operator based in Tirana, has become the first tour operator in Albania to achieve certification to the GSTC Industry Standard for Tour Operators. As such, it stands as the first tourism business in the country ever to be GSTC-Certified.
Following a rigourous onsite audit conducted by UCSL, Sondor Travel was awarded GSTC Certification on September 4, 2025, acknowledging the company’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, community empowerment, and responsible tourism practices. Known for its rigorous third-party review process and robust framework, GSTC Certification affirms Sondor Travel’s dedication to delivering meaningful travel experiences that create value for visitors, communities, and the environment alike.
Following a rigourous onsite audit conducted by UCSL, Sondor Travel was awarded GSTC Certification on September 4, 2025, acknowledging the company’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, community empowerment, and responsible tourism practices. Known for its rigorous third-party review process and robust framework, GSTC Certification affirms Sondor Travel’s dedication to delivering meaningful travel experiences that create value for visitors, communities, and the environment alike.
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“The GSTC Standard is the most rigorous sustainability standard in global tourism, and securing GSTC Certification is a complex and challenging process that requires transparency, consistency, and the courage to examine every aspect of one’s operations. Sondor Travel has taken this path with both vision and persistence, and their milestone is the result of a team whose dedication, passion, and integrity set a new benchmark for Albania’s tourism sector.
We are proud of their pioneering role, grateful for their commitment, and inspired by the way they demonstrate that authentic travel can both protect and uplift. UCSL is honored to have been entrusted with validating their journey.”
We are proud of their pioneering role, grateful for their commitment, and inspired by the way they demonstrate that authentic travel can both protect and uplift. UCSL is honored to have been entrusted with validating their journey.”
Operating across the Western Balkans, Sondor Travel specializes in multi-day cultural, adventure, and nature-based itineraries, including its flagship tours such as Walking in Northern Albania, Balkan Culture and UNESCO Sites, Albania Cycling Tour, and Balkan Highlights.
Through its sustainable management system, the company ensures small-group travel, prioritizes local partnerships, and integrates authentic cultural and community-based experiences.
Photo credit: Sondor Travel
Through its sustainable management system, the company ensures small-group travel, prioritizes local partnerships, and integrates authentic cultural and community-based experiences.
Photo credit: Sondor Travel
Here are a some of the highlights witnessed during the Sondor Travel’s audit:
Sondor Travel’s achievement marks a national milestone, aligning directly with Albania’s growing commitment to sustainable tourism. In 2024, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to embed sustainability standards into national tourism policy. The initiative, endorsed by Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Tourism and Environment of Albania, reflects the country’s vision to balance economic growth with environmental protection and cultural preservation.
By becoming the first Albanian tour operator to achieve GSTC Certification, Sondor Travel sets a benchmark for the industry across the Balkans and paves the way for others to follow. This national first builds momentum for sustainable tourism throughout the entire region, supporting national strategies and regional cooperation in making sustainability the backbone of tourism development.
- Robust Sustainability Management System: a comprehensive framework covering environmental, social, cultural, and economic aspects, supported by a dedicated Sustainability Committee.
- Community Empowerment: longstanding partnerships with local suppliers, artisans, and social enterprises – from supporting women-led restaurants in Shkoder to preserving traditional beekeeping practices.
- Environmental Responsibility: careful design of itineraries to reduce visitor pressure on sensitive sites and promotion of eco-friendly supplier practices.
- Cultural Integrity: protection of cultural heritage through authentic engagement with local communities and heritage custodians.
Sondor Travel’s achievement marks a national milestone, aligning directly with Albania’s growing commitment to sustainable tourism. In 2024, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to embed sustainability standards into national tourism policy. The initiative, endorsed by Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Tourism and Environment of Albania, reflects the country’s vision to balance economic growth with environmental protection and cultural preservation.
By becoming the first Albanian tour operator to achieve GSTC Certification, Sondor Travel sets a benchmark for the industry across the Balkans and paves the way for others to follow. This national first builds momentum for sustainable tourism throughout the entire region, supporting national strategies and regional cooperation in making sustainability the backbone of tourism development.
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“Achieving GSTC Certification as Albania’s first tour operator is both an honor and a profound milestone. It represents the culmination of years of dedication, passion, and teamwork – from our staff who embody our values every day, to our trusted suppliers and partners who share our vision of responsible travel. Together, we have worked to protect Albania’s nature and culture, to build fair and transparent supply chains with local partners, to support communities through entrepreneurship, education, and local products, and to ensure safety and quality at every step of the travel experience.
UCSL’s impartial audit has validated these efforts, giving us both pride and responsibility to continue raising our standards. This certification is an invitation to travelers: come discover our region in a way that protects its landscapes, uplifts its communities, and honors its traditions.”
UCSL’s impartial audit has validated these efforts, giving us both pride and responsibility to continue raising our standards. This certification is an invitation to travelers: come discover our region in a way that protects its landscapes, uplifts its communities, and honors its traditions.”
Dorien Malaj, Managing Director of Sondor Travel, and Rexhina Malasi, COO
About Sondor Travel
Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Tirana, Sondor Travel is a pioneering inbound tour operator offering multi-day cultural, adventure, and nature-based itineraries across Albania, Kosovo, and the wider Western Balkans. With a portfolio of walking, cycling, trekking, and cultural immersion tours, Sondor Travel emphasizes authentic experiences rooted in local heritage and community engagement. By partnering with local guides, family-owned businesses, and social enterprises, the company ensures that tourism directly benefits host communities while preserving the region’s natural and cultural treasures. As the first GSTC-Certified tour operator in Albania, Sondor Travel leads by example in demonstrating that sustainability is the is the cornerstone of tourism that endures and inspires.
Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Tirana, Sondor Travel is a pioneering inbound tour operator offering multi-day cultural, adventure, and nature-based itineraries across Albania, Kosovo, and the wider Western Balkans. With a portfolio of walking, cycling, trekking, and cultural immersion tours, Sondor Travel emphasizes authentic experiences rooted in local heritage and community engagement. By partnering with local guides, family-owned businesses, and social enterprises, the company ensures that tourism directly benefits host communities while preserving the region’s natural and cultural treasures. As the first GSTC-Certified tour operator in Albania, Sondor Travel leads by example in demonstrating that sustainability is the is the cornerstone of tourism that endures and inspires.
About UCSL
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body headquartered in Cyprus, providing internationally acknowledged sustainability certification services for hotels and tour operators worldwide. With a team of experienced auditors and regional representatives across multiple continents, UCSL ensures rigorous, impartial, and credible evaluation of sustainability practices against the Global Sustainable Tourism Council IndustryStandards – the world’s leading standard for sustainable travel and tourism.
Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, UCSL goes beyond auditing by actively contributing to capacity-building, awareness, and collaboration across the industry, supporting businesses in embedding sustainability as a driver of competitiveness, resilience, and long-term positive impact on people and the planet.
About GSTC Certification
GSTC Certification is the globally acknowledged mark of sustainable tourism, awarded to hotels, tour operators, and other businesses that meet the GSTC Standards – the world’s leading criteria for responsible travel. It confirms that a business has undergone a rigorous and impartial assessment by a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international non-profit organization established through a strategic coalition including the United Nations Foundation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN Tourism.
Holding GSTC Certification demonstrates a business’s genuine commitment to sustainability through a process that is credible, transparent, and globally consistent. The term “GSTC Certification” specifically means certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited, ensuring full alignment with the world’s highest standards for sustainable tourism.
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body headquartered in Cyprus, providing internationally acknowledged sustainability certification services for hotels and tour operators worldwide. With a team of experienced auditors and regional representatives across multiple continents, UCSL ensures rigorous, impartial, and credible evaluation of sustainability practices against the Global Sustainable Tourism Council IndustryStandards – the world’s leading standard for sustainable travel and tourism.
Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, UCSL goes beyond auditing by actively contributing to capacity-building, awareness, and collaboration across the industry, supporting businesses in embedding sustainability as a driver of competitiveness, resilience, and long-term positive impact on people and the planet.
About GSTC Certification
GSTC Certification is the globally acknowledged mark of sustainable tourism, awarded to hotels, tour operators, and other businesses that meet the GSTC Standards – the world’s leading criteria for responsible travel. It confirms that a business has undergone a rigorous and impartial assessment by a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international non-profit organization established through a strategic coalition including the United Nations Foundation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN Tourism.
Holding GSTC Certification demonstrates a business’s genuine commitment to sustainability through a process that is credible, transparent, and globally consistent. The term “GSTC Certification” specifically means certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited, ensuring full alignment with the world’s highest standards for sustainable tourism.
September 30, 2025