Certifications
Tourism Business Certification
Tourism Business Certification for sustainability and responsible practices.
TREES Nepal is dedicated to promoting responsible business practices within the tourism industry. Our certification process ensures that businesses align with ethical and sustainable standards. By awarding the Tourism Business Certification, we empower enterprises to thrive while maintaining a commitment to environmental protection, social responsibility, and cultural preservation.
Business Certification Tools
About the Good Travel Seal
Tourism-related businesses and DMOs
2 years
Fees vary according to the number of employees or size of establishment
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 green-washing in tourism, so we create a scorecard showing the performance of each certified business, in addition to a certificate. Here is a sample scorecard:
How does GTS level 1 work?
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.
How does GTS level 2 work?
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.
How does GTS level 3 work?
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.