Good Travel Seal

With the Good Travel Seal (GTS), we offer sustainability certification for any type of business with 3 certification levels that can be followed in steps, but you can start with any level*. GTS level 1 directly follows from the Good Travel Scan self-assessment, with no need for extensive reporting. All levels are concluded with an audit every 2-3 years. An onsite audit is alternated with a remote audit.

Green Destinations is very concerned about greenwashing in tourism, so we create a scorecard showing the performance of each certified business, in addition to a certificate. Here is a sample scorecard:

You can find certified business scorecards on the Good Travel Guide website.

All GTS-certified businesses receive a wide range of promotional benefits. Ask us about it!

After GTS level 1, Tour Operators will be advised to apply for certification by Travelife for Tour Operators and Travel Agents.

The Good Travel Seal operates worldwide thanks to our unique partnership with local representatives and partner organisations supporting and offering the program. This enables us to offer the certification in YOUR language. All certified businesses receive the certification decision, a list of recommendations, the GTS Seal, Certificate, and Performance Scorecard.

GTS level 1 is a fast-track certification. Companies make a self-assessment with yes/no answers on 62 questions combining many of the GSTC Industry Criteria and the Travalyst sustainability actions (used by Booking.com a.o.). This takes only 20 minutes. You will then be interviewed on the results of your self-assessment; interview and final audit will take 3-4 hours for small businesses.

For GTS level 2, companies report on their compliance with +/- 76 criteria covering 67% of the GSTC Industry Criteria.

GTS level 3 (previously indicated as GTS+) offers companies the option to take a further step in their sustainability journey by adding 14 additional criteria and achieving certification based on all GSTC Industry Criteria. This is a great and affordable opportunity both for companies that already have enough experience in sustainability.

Self-Assessment 

GTS level 1 is recommended for micro, small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) and those who are less experienced with sustainability. Upon registration and payment, you will complete a self-assessment (like the GT Scan) in a Survey Form.

Technical check

A coach will have a call with you to look through your answers and make sure the reporting is completed.

Interactive evaluation

After implementing the changes from the technical check, you can proceed with an interview with one of our experts enabling you to clarify your performance. Our expert will make a summary of your performance and your level of compliance with the criteria.

Certification

Your level of compliance will be confirmed by the GD GTS Certification Committee. If the result is sufficient, you will be awarded with the certification. You will receive a list of recommendations, a seal, a certificate, and a scorecard.

Reporting 

Upon registration and payment, you will receive a login to our Good Travel Seal Online Platform and a guide on how to proceed. You will see the +/- 76 criteria and checks of the GTS for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs), for each criterion you can find guidance in the platform. You will be invited to summarise what you do to meet each of the criteria, and you are also invited to submit documents that are important for the auditor to understand what you do for sustainable and responsible tourism.

Assessment 

The information on the platform will then be assessed by a team of experts, who will evaluate your performance against the criteria and checks. You will receive feedback on how to improve your performance and your reporting.

Audit

If you achieve a compliance of more than 75%, an independent auditor will verify your reporting by checking your business. The audit will be carried out online (via video call) or on-site, alternating every 2-3 years.

Certification

The findings of the audit are used to make a final certification decision. If the result is sufficient, you will be awarded with the certification. You will receive a list of recommendations, a seal, a certificate, and a scorecard.

Reporting 

When you have a high performance in GTS Level 1 or 2, you are encouraged to proceed with Level 3. Like for Level 2, you report on our Good Travel Seal Online Platform. You will now see +/- 89 criteria and checks of the full Good Travel Standard, corresponding to all GSTC Industry Criteria. You will be invited to summarise what you do to meet each of the criteria, and you are also invited to submit documents that are important for the auditor to understand what you do for sustainable and responsible tourism.

Assessment 

The information on the platform will then be assessed by a team of experts, who will evaluate your performance against the criteria and checks. You will receive feedback on how to improve your performance and your reporting.

Audit

If you achieve a compliance of more than 75%, an independent auditor will verify your reporting by checking your business. The audit will be carried out online (via video call) or on-site, alternating every 2-3 years.

Certification

The findings of the audit are used to make a final certification decision. If the result is sufficient, you will be awarded with the certification. You will receive a list of recommendations, a seal, a certificate, and a scorecard.

Financial Benefits

By participating in the Good Travel Seal, your business will save on energy and water consumption, as well as waste disposal costs. On top of that, the GTS also offers you a best-price guarantee on your engagement for 2 years. We don’t charge any registration cost.

Happier Guests = Higher Ratings

Certified businesses receive better reviews and ratings. Happier guests and higher ratings will bring you more visitors. This proves that certification boosts both the management and the quality of services.

Show What You Do

Another benefit of the Good Travel Seal is our full transparency. You will be able to show your customers in which areas you do well. A label alone is not enough, but showing your overall performance is a great strategy!

Environment Efficiency

Certified businesses use 19% less water, produce 24% less waste and 10% less CO2 than non-certified businesses. This is good not only for the environment, but also for the company’s profits.

Promotion & Visibility

Traditional certification programs are not promoting your business. With the Good Travel Seal, your business will be featured in the Good Travel Guide, Sustainable First, Ecohotels.com, Tourism 2030 and Booking.com, providing travellers with easy ways to explore the sustainable offering of destinations.