Best Practice
Sustainable Travel International
Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a non-profit organization founded in 2002. The organization provides education and training, sustainable tourism standards, and support for local investments in green initiatives. STI has three certification programs: Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP), Shore Excursion Standard, and Luxury Eco Certification Program. The STEP is their flagship eco certification. The standards are aligned with those of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
STEP awards a rating between 1 and 5 Stars, 5 being the highest certification. A resort automatically receives 1 Star when it submits an evaluation form of its environmental practices and policies for review by Sustainable Travel International. For a higher certification, the resort must undergo an on-site assessment by a STEP-accredited assessor. The fees for a STEP certification and membership vary based on the number of employees. In addition, there are also fees for the actual on-site assessments, which are required to receive a STEP rating above 1 Star.
STI’s Shore Excursion Standard was developed in collaboration with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Cruise Lines International Association, and Conservation International. The objective is to improve environmental, socio-cultural, and fiscal performance of marine shore operators, including cruise ship and scuba dive operations. Shore Excursion Standards are based on a rating of 1 to 5 stars like the STEP certification. Once again, there are several fees associated with obtaining a rating.
The Luxury Eco Certification Program (LECS) is STI’s third and final certification program. The evaluation is composed of five sectors: policy and documentation, energy conservation, water conservation, recycling, and community. STI states that this certification takes into consideration the challenges of operating a luxury resort while addressing environmental and social issues. However, STI does not elaborate on how this certification differs from the STEP. The cost for receiving a luxury certification is 3,495 USD. This covers the entire assessment process, including on-site visits.
Overall, STI has awarded 16 STEP, 6 LECS, and 13 shore-excursion certifications. There are a significant number of operations that are in the process of obtaining one of the above certifications. STI has 353 registered partners listed on its website.
International Eco Certification Program
The ECO Certification program assures travellers that certified products are backed by a strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high quality nature-based tourism experiences. It has three levels:
Nature Tourism - tourism in a natural area that leaves a minimal impact on the environment;
EcoTourism: tourism in a natural area that offers interesting ways to learn about the environment with an operator that uses resources wisely, contributes to the conversation of the environment, and helps local communities;
Advanced Ecotourism: ecotourism that provide an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.
Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a non-profit organization founded in 2002. The organization provides education and training, sustainable tourism standards, and support for local investments in green initiatives. STI has three certification programs: Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP), Shore Excursion Standard, and Luxury Eco Certification Program. The STEP is their flagship eco certification. The standards are aligned with those of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
STEP awards a rating between 1 and 5 Stars, 5 being the highest certification. A resort automatically receives 1 Star when it submits an evaluation form of its environmental practices and policies for review by Sustainable Travel International. For a higher certification, the resort must undergo an on-site assessment by a STEP-accredited assessor. The fees for a STEP certification and membership vary based on the number of employees. In addition, there are also fees for the actual on-site assessments, which are required to receive a STEP rating above 1 Star.
STI’s Shore Excursion Standard was developed in collaboration with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Cruise Lines International Association, and Conservation International. The objective is to improve environmental, socio-cultural, and fiscal performance of marine shore operators, including cruise ship and scuba dive operations. Shore Excursion Standards are based on a rating of 1 to 5 stars like the STEP certification. Once again, there are several fees associated with obtaining a rating.
The Luxury Eco Certification Program (LECS) is STI’s third and final certification program. The evaluation is composed of five sectors: policy and documentation, energy conservation, water conservation, recycling, and community. STI states that this certification takes into consideration the challenges of operating a luxury resort while addressing environmental and social issues. However, STI does not elaborate on how this certification differs from the STEP. The cost for receiving a luxury certification is 3,495 USD. This covers the entire assessment process, including on-site visits.
Overall, STI has awarded 16 STEP, 6 LECS, and 13 shore-excursion certifications. There are a significant number of operations that are in the process of obtaining one of the above certifications. STI has 353 registered partners listed on its website.
International Eco Certification Program
The ECO Certification program assures travellers that certified products are backed by a strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high quality nature-based tourism experiences. It has three levels:
Nature Tourism - tourism in a natural area that leaves a minimal impact on the environment;
EcoTourism: tourism in a natural area that offers interesting ways to learn about the environment with an operator that uses resources wisely, contributes to the conversation of the environment, and helps local communities;
Advanced Ecotourism: ecotourism that provide an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.