Sustainable holidays with a certificate
Sustainability has long since become a marketing tool in tourism too. In order to prove their green credibility, more and more tourism providers are adorning themselves with corresponding certificates. According to the ECOTRANS initiative, there are now over 200 different labels worldwide that promote sustainable accommodations, travel providers, regions, nature reserves, etc. I have taken a closer look at five certifications for sustainable accommodations - and compiled the most important facts for you.
EU Eco Label
Since when?
The EU Eco Label has been awarded to hotels and campsites since 2000
How often?
After certification, random audits are carried out
Main emphasis:
Ecological sustainability | The label promises optimization in energy and water consumption, less CO2 emissions and waste, lower use of chemicals and pesticides and less food waste.
How many?
There are 799 certified accommodations across Europe
Costs
for application 250€ (micro-entrepreneurs) – 600€ (SMEs) – 1200€
Annual fee: 0,15% of annual turnover, minimum €300 per contract (25% discount for micro-entrepreneurs)
Green Key
Since when?
Green Key was founded in Denmark in 1994
How often?
Certification takes place every 2-3 years
Main emphasis:
Ecological sustainability | Green Key certified according to 13 criteria. In addition to environmental aspects such as energy and water savings, employee involvement is also addressed.
How many?
There are currently more than 6000 certified providers in more than 70 countries, including around 5000 in Europe
Cost:
Annual fee 1075€ (micro-enterprises: 575€), audit costs 575€ + travel costs for auditors
TourCert
Since when?
TourCert was founded in 2004 and the certification guide has existed since 2008
How often?
Certification takes place every 2-3 years
main emphasis:
Ecological, social and economic sustainability | The label not only evaluates individual criteria, but all processes related to tourism offers. Hotels that carry the TourCert seal must publish a report on the sustainability of their operations every year.
How many?
There are more than 400 certified hotels worldwide
Cost:
Implementation costs: 3.200 – 8.750€, audit and certification: 1.350 – 2.700€, annual costs: 750 – 2.900€
Green Sign
Since when?
Green Sign was founded in 2015
How often?
Certification takes place every 3 years
Main emphasis:
Ecological, social and economic sustainability | Green Sign checks the holistic sustainability of an accommodation based on over 130 criteria.
How many?
There are 821 Green Sign certified accommodations and campsites worldwide
Cost:
Introduction costs: 990 – 3.130€ per year (depending on number of rooms, Basic, Plus or Premium package)
Viabono
Since when?
Viabono was founded in 2001.
How often?
Certification takes place every 2 years
Main emphasis:
Ecological sustainability | To be successfully certified, accommodations must demonstrate that their greenhouse gas emissions, waste, energy and water consumption are lower than those of comparable establishments (benchmarking)
How many?
There are currently 49 certified accommodations in Germany
Cost:
200 – 250€ inspection fee, annual fees depending on the offer (e.g. 4€ per hotel room or 24€ per holiday apartment)
Not everything that is certified shines
In principle, we at Good Travel welcome it when accommodation providers have their sustainability efforts certified by independent institutions. This can prevent greenwashing and achieve systematic, ecological and social development of hotels, holiday homes and campsites. Sustainability certifications are often not just a necessary evil for participating companies so that they can adorn themselves with a green certificate, but can be a helpful guide for their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
However, the trend towards certification also entails risks - especially for small accommodations. These often cannot afford the sometimes very high certification costs, nor do they have the human resources to prepare and follow up on certification. This puts financially weaker, sustainable accommodations at a clear competitive disadvantage, particularly on tourism portals where the sustainability of an accommodation is measured solely by certificates.
Five sustainable accommodations without a certificate
Small accommodations are often much better positioned ecologically and socially than many large chains that can afford expensive certifications. On our accommodation portal www.goodtravel.de you will therefore find many holiday homes, hotels & Co. that are not certified, but that have nevertheless convinced us with their sustainability efforts. In order to be listed with us, we take a close look at each accommodation - and visit our hosts on site whenever possible.
Here are five tips for small accommodations that shine in terms of ecology and social issues even without a certificate:
1. VILLA ANNA B&B
2. CASA VIVA
3. DRUMLERHOF
4. HINTEREGGER
5. HEVRESAC
Photos: Casa Viva / Veronika Anna Photography
Ina Hiester
Ina is a digital nomad and travels through Europe by land and sea. The journalist is always on the lookout for special places for Good Travel, philosophizes about travel in her column, takes photographs, makes music and writes articles on all kinds of environmental and sustainability topics.
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