The following criteria were selected from the multitude of criteria that exist in sustainable tourism programs globally. They represent the minimum of what is required for a lodging provider or tour operator to be credibly called sustainable.

Some of the criteria are very simple, others require a little more effort, and some will not apply to certain businesses at all. It is not expected that all businesses will be able to adopt all of the criteria; they are a guideline for businesses to strive toward.

Criteria Version 4

Please find below the fourth version of the Criteria, now including a preamble.  This version of the criteria is the result of revisions that include the recommendations and suggestions of the industry feedback survey, private sector outreach, and expert consultation. Please click HERE for more information on the process.

Once you have looked at the criteria give us your feedback by completing this survey (click here ) and let us know how usable the criteria are, what additional information you need to get started, and what you would like to achieve by adopting these criteria.

Preamble 

The Global Baseline Criteria bring together the principal ideas and actions that have been expressed in many documents and standards around the world since the term “sustainable tourism” was introduced in 1992.  The Criteria are oriented towards hotels and tour operators, and they should be considered as a baseline for a tourism business looking to implement more sustainable business practices, or for a certification program looking to establish credible, globally recognized standards and definitions. More specifically, the purpose of the Baseline Criteria is to :

• Establish a common language for use worldwide, based on the substantial amount of prior work in this field.
• Serve as basic guidelines for businesses of all sizes to become more sustainable.
• Help certification and other voluntary programs ensure that, at a minimum, their standards include them.
• Serve as the underlying criteria for the accreditation and mutual recognition of sustainable tourism certification programs.
• Serve governmental, NGO, or private programs as a point of departure for developing sustainable tourism requirements, recommendations, or standards.
• Serve as common denominator for information media to recognize sustainable tourism providers.
• Serve as guidance for travel agencies in choosing sustainable suppliers and certification programs.
• Help consumers identify sound sustainable tourism programs and businesses.
  

The criteria are part of the overall response of the tourism community to address the global challenges of the Millennium Development Goals. Climate change and poverty alleviation are two main cross-cutting issues that are addressed through the criteria. The use of renewable energy and resource-saving technology at a scale that is appropriate to the reality and scale of the tourism business are considered as important responses to these challenges.

Finally, the criteria indicate what should be done, not how to do it or whether the goal has been achieved. This role is fulfilled by performance indicators, which are an indispensable complement to the Global Baseline Criteria. These indicators may need, in some cases, to be adapted to each industry sector and geographic region.

Criteria

A.    Demonstrate effective sustainable management.

A.1.    The company has implemented a long-term sustainability management system that is suitable to its reality and scale, and that considers environmental, sociocultural, quality, health, and safety issues.

A.2.    The company is in compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations (including, among others, health, safety, labor, and environmental aspects).

A.3.    All personnel receive training regarding their role in the management of environmental, sociocultural, health, and safety practices.

A.4.    Customer satisfaction is measured and corrective action taken where necessary.

A.5.    Promotional materials are accurate and complete and do not promise more than can be reasonably expected by customers.

A.6.    Design and construction of buildings and infrastructure:

• A.6.1.    comply with local zoning and protected or heritage area requirements;
  

• A.6.2.    respect the natural or cultural heritage surroundings in siting, design, impact assessment, and land rights and acquisition;

• A.6.3    use locally appropriate principles of sustainable construction;

• A.6.4    provide access for persons with special needs.

A.7.    Information about and interpretation of the natural surroundings, local culture, and cultural heritage is provided to customers, as well as explaining appropriate behavior while visiting natural areas, living cultures, and cultural heritage sites.

B.    Maximize social and economic benefits to the local community and minimize negative impacts.

B.1.    The company actively supports initiatives for social and infrastructure community development including, among others, education, health, and access to sanitation.

B.2.    Local residents are employed, including in management positions. Training is offered as necessary.

B.3.    Local and fair-trade services and goods are purchased by the business, where possible.

B.4 The company facilitates local small entrepreneurs to develop and sell products that are based on the area’s nature, history, and culture (including food and drink, crafts, performance arts, agricultural products, etc.)

B.5.    A code of conduct for activities in indigenous and local communities has been developed, with the consent of and in consultation with the community.

B.6.    Policies are implemented against commercial sexual exploitation, particularly of children and adolescents.

B.7.    The company is equitable in hiring women and local minorities, including in management positions, while restraining child labor.

B.8.    All employees are under legal protection and paid a living wage.

B.9.    The activities of the company do not jeopardize the provision of basic services (such as water, energy, or sanitation) to neighboring communities or access to culturally and spiritually important sites.

C.    Minimize negative impacts to cultural heritage and maximize benefits

C.1.    The company follows established guidelines or a code of behavior for visits to culturally or historically sensitive sites, in order to minimize visitor impact and maximize enjoyment.

C.2.    Historical and archeological artifacts are not sold, traded, or displayed, except as permitted by law.

C.3.    The business contributes to the protection of local historical, archeological, and cultural properties, and does not impede access to them by local residents.

C.4    The business uses elements of local art, architecture, or cultural heritage in its operations, design, decoration, food, or shops; while respecting the intellectual property rights of local communities.

D.    Minimize environmental negative impacts and maximize benefits.

D.1.    Conserving resources

• D.1.1.    Purchasing policy favors environmentally friendly products, for building materials, capital goods, food, and consumables.

• D.1.2.    The purchase of disposable and consumable goods is measured, and the business actively seeks ways to reduce their use.

• D.1.3.    Energy consumption should be measured, sources indicated, and measures to decrease overall consumption should be adopted, while encouraging the use of renewable energy.

• D.1.4.    Water consumption should be measured, sources indicated, and measures to decrease overall consumption should be adopted.

D.2.    Reducing pollution

• D.2.1.    Greenhouse gas emissions from all sources controlled by the business are measured, and procedures are implemented to reduce and offset them, as a way to achieve climate neutrality.

• D.2.2.    Wastewater, including gray water, is treated effectively.

• D.2.3.    A solid waste management plan is implemented, with quantitative goals to minimize waste that is not reused or recycled.

• D.2.4.    The use of harmful substances, including pesticides, paints, swimming pool disinfectants, and cleaning materials, is properly managed, minimized, and substituted, when available, by innocuous products.

• D.2.5.    The business implements practices to reduce pollution from noise, light, runoff, erosion, ozone-depleting compounds, and air and soil contaminants.

D.3.    Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems, and landscapes

• D.3.1.    Protected, rare, or threatened species are not consumed, sold, traded, or displayed, except where this is part of a regulated activity that enhances their conservation.

• D.3.2.    No captive wildlife is kept, except for licensed conservation activities.

• D.3.3.    The business uses native species for landscaping and restoration, and takes measures to avoid the introduction of invasive alien species.

• D.3.4.    The business contributes to the support of biodiversity conservation, including by supporting natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value.

• D.3.5.    The business ensures that interactions with wildlife do not produce adverse effects on the individuals or the viability of populations; and that any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimized, rehabilitated, or there is a compensatory contribution to conservation management.