How Do Companies Qualify to Be on Green.travel?
The 5-Green-Suitcase Rating System
Can Travel Companies Improve Their Ratings?
Welcome to the section of Green.travel that explains how companies qualify to be listed here. Because you're a responsible traveler, we think you'll appreciate this section. And we hope you'll find this information helpful as you plan your future travels...
How Do Companies Qualify to Be on Green.travel?
All travel companies featured on Green.travel have been screened to meet various environmental, socio-cultural, and economic criteria. Although Green.travel doesn't claim to have personally assessed every aspect of each company's operations or every issue relating to sustainable tourism (we recognize that these issues are variable and complex on a destination-by-destination basis), our rating system minimally includes the following:
- A signed legal affidavit testifying to a commitment to sustainable practices
- A recommendation letter from an approved NGO or public body
and
Our comprehensive directory of sustainable travel companies will certainly make it much easier for conscientious travelers to travel sustainably.
The 5-Green-Suitcase Rating System
We're proud of the fact that every travel company found on Green.travel has declared a commitment to sustainable travel practices. But, as is the case with individual travelers, some companies are "more green" than others. Some have passionately worked hard at being green for many years. Others are just beginning the process. To help travelers make informed decisions, we have established a Green-Suitcase Rating System for travel companies. Here's a brief look at how it works:
- Companies that are just beginning to implement sustainable policies will have a rating of 0 or 1 Green Suitcase.
- Companies that are truly passionate about sustainability and that have invested time, effort, and resources in making their companies very green will have a rating of 4 or 5 Green Suitcases.
- Companies that fall in the middle will have a rating of 3 Green Suitcases.
Please note: When you search for travel companies on Green.travel, those with the highest Green-Suitcase Ratings will appear at the top of the list.
Keep reading to find out what it takes for companies to earn Green Suitcases...
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0 Green Suitcases
Must provide Green.travel with...
- A signed online affidavit
- A recommendation letter from an approved, independent NGO or public body, such as:
i - Recognized, international organizations working on sustainability (e.g., Conservation International, Rainforest Alliance, European Centre for Eco Agro Tourism)
ii - National or local NGOs, foundations, etc., working on sustainability (e.g., Instituto Nacional de Ecología, NGO Sodepau, Kruger National Park, Hostetin Biosphere Reserve
iii - International Development agencies (e.g., OXFAM, SNV, USAID)
iv - Awarding organizations (e.g., Tourism for Tomorrow, Responsible Tourism Awards)
v - National Ecotourism Societies (e.g., The International Ecotourism Society, Ecotourism Society of Kenya, Asociacion Ecuatoriana de Ecoturismo)
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1 Green Suitcase
Must provide Green.travel with...
- A signed online affidavit
- Evidence of membership with Sustainable Travel International, Green Travel Market, TIES, responsibletravel.com or any other credible sustainable tourism or eco-tourism society or organization we approve (This shows financial commitment to mission-oriented organizations.)
- A short summary of the sustainable tourism aspects of each trip, accommodation, or service to be listed on Green.travel (including how environmental, socio-cultural, and economic impacts are managed for each)
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2 Green Suitcases
Must provide Green.travel with everything included under 1 Green Suitcase and...
- A written overview (2 pages maximum) describing how the company either
(a) Manages its environmental, socio-cultural, and economic impacts, or
(b) Is in compliance with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria
- A copy of the company's Sustainability Policy
- Evidence that the company's Sustainability Policy has been shared with employees and promoted to clients
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3 Green Suitcases
Must provide Green.travel with everything included under 1 and 2 Green Suitcases and...
- Evidence that clients are given relevant suggestions for positively managing their environmental, socio-cultural, and economic impacts while enjoying the services of the company (Learn how here.)
- Evidence that clients are given opportunities to donate time or economic support to appropriate local projects in the destinations served (Learn how here.)
- Evidence that the company has implemented a greenhouse gas reduction strategy and that clients have an opportunity to voluntarily offset their carbon dioxide emissions (Learn how here.)
OR
- Evidence of receipt of a recognized award (Click here to determine which programs qualify.)
OR
- Evidence of first-party certification
First-party certification applies to companies that have performed a self-assessment or evaluation of their sustainable tourism practices, thus taking steps to understand their impact on the environment, the community, and/or local economic systems. These companies' claims have not been independently verified by a second or third party.
Please note: Many companies legitimately choose to self-assess due to financial considerations, logistical constraints, and/or because they are in the early stages of their exploration of sustainability and green practices.
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4 Green Suitcases
Must provide Green.travel with everything detailed under 1, 2, and 3 Green suitcases and...
- Evidence of second-party certification
Second-party certification applies to companies that have been certified through a second-party certification program. However, the assessor or auditor was not independent of the standard being assessed and/or the company being certified. For that reason, this type of certification is not as strong as third-party certification. (Click here to determine which programs qualify.)
OR
- Evidence of Carbon Neutral status, including detailed information on greenhouse gas reduction strategies
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5 Green Suitcases
Must provide Green.travel with evidence of third-party certification.
Third-party certification applies to companies that have been certified through a third-party certification program. Third-party certification is the most advanced and reliable of the three tiers of certification types (first-, second-, and third-party). An independent, objective assessment of a company's sustainable tourism practices by an auditor that is independent of the standard being assessed as well as the company being certified has been performed at these companies. (Click here to determine which programs qualify.)
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Can Travel Companies Improve Their Ratings?
Yes! Green.travel business members can promote their products and services on this site once they've met the minimum criteria. But we hope they don't stop there! We encourage them to continually adopt and implement better and stronger sustainable practices. As they do, they can submit the appropriate documentation to Green.travel, and we'll update their rating.
This helps all of us (from every corner of the globe) move in the right direction. The more we demand of ourselves, the more we can accomplish. And the more we accomplish, the better the planet will be for future travelers.