Good Travel Scan
Based on 10 universal sustainability values, our experts help you to identify your own priorities and your roadmap when you are beginning your journey.
About the Good Travel Scan
Who is this program for?
all small businesses, products, services
Certificate Validity
2 years
The Good Travel Scan encourages medium and small family-run enterprises (SMEs) that have no previous knowledge or experience in sustainability management to take a first step in the right direction.
The Good Travel Scan is based upon 10 universal values in tourism sustainability. You start with a self-assessment survey with 27 questions related to key elements of the Good Travel Standard and the GSTC Criteria. It helps you to evaluate where you stand in the sustainability journey and immediately gives you a score. In case of sufficient results (50% or more) you can apply for a Green Destinations Good Travel Scan recognition. This is obtained by paying a small fee and completing an interactive evaluation by one of our experts. You will receive a recognition document and a summary of the results of this evaluation. When your score is higher than 50%, your business will be featured in the Good Travel Guide.
In case of an insufficient score when completing the recognition process, we will provide you with suggestions to improve.
OUR 10 UNIVERSAL VALUES
Caring for People
Support local community development
Actively supports initiatives to improve social community development, e.g. quality of life, local facilities and infrastructure. Activities do not jeopardize the provision of basic services, such as food, water, energy, healthcare or sanitation, to the neighbouring community.
Good Employment
Offer equal opportunities and fair employment to all and to the local community
Labour rights are respected, and a safe and inclusive working environment is provided. Residents are given equal opportunities of employment and advancement without discrimination
Caring for Climate
Energy saving and climate mitigation and adaptation
Minimises energy consumption, identifies sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and reduces the amount of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) used while making efforts to increase the use of renewable energy.
Reducing Waste
Avoid waste, especially single-use disposables and plastics
Prevents the use of single-use disposables and has a policy in place to reuse or recycle them.
Caring for Water
Clean and sufficient water guaranteed
Takes steps to minimise water consumption and prevent water pollution.
Reducing Pollution
Prevent noise, air, and water pollution
Takes steps to prevent pollution from noise, light, runoff, erosion, ozone-depleting substances, and air, water, and soil contaminants.
Food & Products
Promote local, eco-friendly and Fairtrade products
When purchasing and offering goods and services, priority is given to local and fair trade suppliers whenever these are available and of sufficient quality.
Caring for Nature
Promote ecological protection and regeneration
Supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation and ecological regeneration, including through appropriate management of its own property. Particular attention is paid to natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimized, rehabilitated and there is a compensatory contribution to conservation management.
Caring for Culture
Protect the local cultural heritage and sense of place
Contributes to the protection, preservation and enhancement of local properties, sites and traditions of historical, archaeological, cultural and spiritual significance and does not impede access to them by local residents.
Management & Information
Use a sustainable tourism management system and publicly communicate sustainability performance
Uses a management approach or system with written guidelines to evaluate, manage and improve sustainability in the short and long-term and publicly communicates its sustainability policy, actions and performance.
Methodology
Self Assessment
You will have filled out the self-assessment survey on the Good Travel Guide website. This will indicate to what extent your business implements measures for sustainable and responsible tourism. For a small fee, you can obtain the Good Travel Scan Recognition.
Assessment Interview
If you opt for the recognition, an expert from our team will conduct a virtual interview to review your answers to the self-assessment survey questions.
Recognition
The findings of the interview will be used to create a final Good Travel Scan Recognition document, your business will also appear on the Good Travel Guide.
Why join this program?
Financial Advantage
Your business will save on energy, water, and waste disposal costs with a certification. Moreover, happy guests and high ratings will bring you more visitors.
Self-awareness
You will be able to understand where you stand in the sustainability journey and what are the next steps toward an effective sustainable management plan.
Show What You Do
Another benefit of the Good Travel Scan is our transparency. You will be able to show your customers what aspects you do well. A label alone doesn’t work, but showing your performance does!
Promotion
Traditional certification programs are not promoting your business. With the Good Travel Scan Recognition, in case of sufficient results (50% or more), you will be featured in the Good Travel Guide, providing travellers with easy ways to explore destinations.