New baseline standards strengthen consistency, credibility and transparency across tourism certification worldwide
The Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance (TSCA) today announced the release of its new TSCA Minimum Standards, establishing a globally aligned baseline for sustainable tourism certifications and marking a major milestone in the evolution of credible sustainability assurance for the travel and tourism sector.
TSCA founding members have certified over 19,000 tourism businesses, organisations and destinations worldwide and collectively represent more than 30 years of leadership in sustainable tourism certification. The new Minimum Standards provide a common framework for sustainability certification while allowing certification bodies to maintain their own unique methodologies and additional requirements.
The release of the TSCA Minimum Standards comes at a time when tourism businesses face increasing expectations from consumers, governments and regulators regarding sustainability performance and environmental claims. TSCA has identified emerging regulatory frameworks, including consumer protection laws and green claims legislation, as key drivers for greater alignment and credibility in sustainability certification.
The release includes two distinct Minimum Standards. The Tourism Business Standard for tourism businesses, including accommodation providers and tour operators, is structured around four core sustainability themes: (1) Sustainability Management; (2) Labour Rights and Working Conditions; (3) Local Community; and (4) Environment and Biodiversity. The Destination Standard similarly contains criteria that are based around the four core themes of destination stewardship: (1) Destination Management; (2) Environment; (3) Socio-cultural; and (4) Economy. Together, these standards establish the baseline requirements that must be met to achieve credible sustainability certification through TSCA member certification schemes.
“In an era of growing demand for sustainable travel, businesses and travellers should be able to trust that sustainability certification stands for something meaningful, wherever in the world it is awarded,” said TSCA Chairperson Elissa Keenan.
“By drawing on decades of collective expertise from leading certification organisations, the TSCA has created standards that can be implemented across diverse tourism markets and destinations, while also supporting consistency between certification schemes and strengthening confidence in sustainability claims made across the tourism industry,” added TSCA Chairperson Elissa Keenan.
“From FEE and Green Key, we are happy to be an active part of TSCA. We welcome the announcement of the new TSCA standards, and we are aligning our new Green Key criteria/explanatory notes for 2026-2031 with the TSCA Standard for tourism businesses” said Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director.
Developed Through Global Collaboration
The TSCA Minimum Standards were developed through a comprehensive collaborative process involving member organisations and extensive stakeholder consultation. The standards were informed by two consultation rounds involving certification bodies, tourism businesses, industry associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and sustainability experts. Feedback received throughout the process was reviewed and incorporated to ensure the standards are practical, globally relevant and aligned with internationally recognised sustainability principles. The development process reflects TSCA’s commitment to transparency, consensus-building and continuous improvement.
Strengthening Confidence in Certification
TSCA member organisations have committed to incorporating these minimum requirements into their own certification programs, ensuring a shared baseline across the Alliance while retaining the ability to apply additional criteria and requirements where appropriate.
Certification delivered by TSCA members using the Minimum Standards will help tourism businesses and destinations better manage their environmental, social and economic impacts, improve transparency and accountability, and create lasting benefits for communities, visitors and natural environments.
A Global Alliance for Sustainable Tourism
Formed in 2024, the Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance is a collaboration of leading sustainable travel and tourism certification organisations from around the world. TSCA’s mission is to harmonise sustainability criteria and standards, creating a common internationally recognised language for sustainable tourism certification. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, the TSCA works to ensure that certification remains credible, accessible and responsive to evolving consumer expectations, industry needs and regulatory requirements.
Web: tourismsustainability.org
For more information about the TSCA Minimum Standards, visit:TSCA Standards
