GSTC
Certification
for Hotels

The international certification that rewards only truly sustainable hotels, for a future-focused tourism sector.

What is the
GSTC Hotel
Certification?

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is the international organization leading the promotion of sustainable tourism.

Founded in 2007 by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) and UNWTO (World Tourism Organization), the GSTC defines global sustainability standards in tourism and ensures their implementation through a globally recognized certification system.

By obtaining the GSTC certification, hotels can concretely demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and gain credible recognition appreciated worldwide by guests, partners, and industry operators.

The GSTC standard for hotels is globally recognized and is based on four fundamental principles that guide sustainable tourism:

Sustainable Management (Governance): adoption of effective and responsible governance;
Socio-economic Sustainability: creating benefits for the local community and reducing negative impacts;
Cultural Sustainability: enhancement and protection of cultural heritage;
Environmental Sustainability: protecting the environment and reducing impacts on the territory.

Vireo is accredited by Accredia according to the ISO 17065 standard for the GSTC scheme worldwide, in compliance with the European Regulation EC 765/2008. The accreditation certificate is available at the following link.

Vireo’s GSTC accreditation can also be verified directly on the official GSTC website, confirming the full transparency and reliability of our operations.

Why choose the GSTC certification?

	International standard with third-party verification		Self declared eco labels Proprietary standards and verification
International recognition
Specific to tourism
Covers social, environmental, cultural, and governance aspects
Stakeholder involvement in standard development
Not a private scheme
Third-party certification by an accredited body
Recognized for access to public funding calls			Depends

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Being GSTC certified means guaranteeing transparency, credibility and a concrete commitment to sustainability. It helps improve operational efficiency, attract responsible tourists and strengthen your reputation on the international market.

The GSTC label is obtained through the certification service offered by Vireo, an organization accredited by Accredia for the certification of hotels and tour operators.

The process begins with a document review of the facility, followed by an on-site audit conducted by Vireo, a certification body accredited by Accredia. The audit assesses actual compliance with GSTC Criteria and, if all requirements are met, leads to the issuance of certification.

The time varies depending on the preparation of the facility, but it takes an average of two to three months from the submission of the documentation to the on-site visit.

The certificate is valid for three years, with annual maintenance checks to verify that standards are being met over time. The cost depends on the size and complexity of the facility.

To obtain certification, hotels must demonstrate compliance with the four pillars of the GSTC criteria: effective sustainable management, reduction of environmental impact, maximisation of social and economic benefits for the local community, and finally, enhancement of cultural heritage. The audit is conducted by qualified Vireo auditors with specific experience in the sustainable hospitality sector.

The official GSTC documentation is available free of charge on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council website. In particular:

GSTC Industry Criteria
Lists the requirements that hotels and tour operators must comply with. They are available in several languages and can be downloaded here.

GSTC Accreditation Manual – Version 4.1
It is intended for certification bodies, but also includes requirements applicable to complex organisations (multi-site, groups, networks). The document is available in the ‘Latest Accreditation Documents’ section.

Vireo also provides the relevant documentation in the download area of this page.