UCSL Proudly Among the First Accommodation Sustainability Certification Bodies Compliant with Travalyst Criteria
UCSL is proud to announce that we are among the first accommodation sustainability certification bodies compliant with Travalyst criteria. Travalyst’s initiative aims to strengthen credibility and create consistency in which certifications are displayed on travel booking platforms.
With our compliance with Travalyst criteria, UCSL's clients may find their GSTC certifications gaining broader visibility and trust on key global travel platforms, benefiting from the coalition’s expansive reach and credibility.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Travalyst for spearheading this vital initiative. Travalyst’s list is publicly available here.
Our company has undergone an independent review and meets the standards set by Travalyst for sustainability in the accommodation sector, aligning with their guidelines to promote transparent, consistent, and credible sustainability practices. This achievement reaffirms that UCSL effectively assesses and endorses accommodations based on their environmental, social, and economic impact, empowering travelers with reliable information to make informed, sustainable choices.
Founded in 2019 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Travalyst is a not-for-profit coalition of some of the biggest brands in travel and technology including Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Skyscanner, Trip.com Group. The coalition is working to increase access to clear, consistent and credible sustainability information, and this starts with their partners’ platforms. Millions of people booking travel visit these platforms every single day; supporting them to make more informed choices about where to stay is crucial.
There are hundreds of certifications for sustainable accommodation globally, which can give rise to confusion. The Travalyst Certifications Initiative aims to create consistency and alignment across the industry by establishing three criteria for sustainability certifications in the accommodation sector. The three criteria are:
Travalyst’s certification initiative, like its accommodation framework, was developed in consultation with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to ensure alignment with industry standards, as GSTC is a key player in the sector when it comes to alignment around certifications.
Open and free to all, the Travalyst initiative ensures an independent and thorough review process, providing transparency and consistency in the sustainability certifications shown across travel booking sites worldwide. It also supports the travel industry to meet evolving regulatory requirements, as third party auditing for the verification of sustainability claims is likely to become a requirement in EU legislation through the forthcoming Green Claims Directive, protecting consumers from greenwashing.
As we at UCSL pride ourselves on meeting the highest requirements and being among the few GSTC-Accredited certification bodies, we stand at the forefront of this transformative journey. We are looking forward to a future where all sustainable claims are backed by credible, third-party verification. Let's continue to champion genuine sustainability and integrity in environmental claims together, fostering a better future for both Nature and People.
To embark on your journey toward GSTC certification with us, connect with our team at cert@ucsl.eu.
Learn more about the Travalyst Certifications Initiative:
Travalyst Certifications Initiative - https://travalyst.org/work/certifications-initiative/
Travalyst Unveils List of Sustainability Certifications - https://travalyst.org/news/travalyst-unveils-list-of-sustainability-certifications-compliant-with-its-criteria/
With our compliance with Travalyst criteria, UCSL's clients may find their GSTC certifications gaining broader visibility and trust on key global travel platforms, benefiting from the coalition’s expansive reach and credibility.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Travalyst for spearheading this vital initiative. Travalyst’s list is publicly available here.
Our company has undergone an independent review and meets the standards set by Travalyst for sustainability in the accommodation sector, aligning with their guidelines to promote transparent, consistent, and credible sustainability practices. This achievement reaffirms that UCSL effectively assesses and endorses accommodations based on their environmental, social, and economic impact, empowering travelers with reliable information to make informed, sustainable choices.
Founded in 2019 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Travalyst is a not-for-profit coalition of some of the biggest brands in travel and technology including Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Skyscanner, Trip.com Group. The coalition is working to increase access to clear, consistent and credible sustainability information, and this starts with their partners’ platforms. Millions of people booking travel visit these platforms every single day; supporting them to make more informed choices about where to stay is crucial.
There are hundreds of certifications for sustainable accommodation globally, which can give rise to confusion. The Travalyst Certifications Initiative aims to create consistency and alignment across the industry by establishing three criteria for sustainability certifications in the accommodation sector. The three criteria are:
- Third-party audit that includes on-site and/or remote online assessment of sustainable practices reported by the property.
- Publicly available standards upon which the certification is based.
- Focuses on evaluating the impact of social and/or economic, and/or environmental factors, among others, as encompassed within, but not restricted, to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Travalyst’s certification initiative, like its accommodation framework, was developed in consultation with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to ensure alignment with industry standards, as GSTC is a key player in the sector when it comes to alignment around certifications.
Open and free to all, the Travalyst initiative ensures an independent and thorough review process, providing transparency and consistency in the sustainability certifications shown across travel booking sites worldwide. It also supports the travel industry to meet evolving regulatory requirements, as third party auditing for the verification of sustainability claims is likely to become a requirement in EU legislation through the forthcoming Green Claims Directive, protecting consumers from greenwashing.
As we at UCSL pride ourselves on meeting the highest requirements and being among the few GSTC-Accredited certification bodies, we stand at the forefront of this transformative journey. We are looking forward to a future where all sustainable claims are backed by credible, third-party verification. Let's continue to champion genuine sustainability and integrity in environmental claims together, fostering a better future for both Nature and People.
To embark on your journey toward GSTC certification with us, connect with our team at cert@ucsl.eu.
Learn more about the Travalyst Certifications Initiative:
Travalyst Certifications Initiative - https://travalyst.org/work/certifications-initiative/
Travalyst Unveils List of Sustainability Certifications - https://travalyst.org/news/travalyst-unveils-list-of-sustainability-certifications-compliant-with-its-criteria/
05/09/2024