Green Key International marked a year of significant progress in 2025, reporting robust global growth, strengthened partnerships, and major advances in its sustainability framework.
The certification programme expanded by more than 25 percent during the year, growing from approximately 6,500 certified establishments in late 2024 to over 8,300 locations across 90 countries. This growth reflects increasing demand from the tourism industry for credible and internationally recognised sustainability certification.
To support new applicants, Green Key hosted numerous introductory webinars throughout 2025, with plans to extend tailored support to re-applicant establishments in 2026.
Green Key establishments - as of July 2025
Collaboration with major industry partners remained a key driver of growth. Green Key continued cooperation with several international hotel chains, renewed its long-standing partnership with Accor, and signed a new agreement with The Shilla Hotels & Resorts. Additional hotel chain partnerships are expected to be finalised soon. On the tour operator side, new partnerships were established with Sunweb Group and Corendon, while cooperation continued with Jet2holidays and was renewed with Aurinkomatkat.
In 2025, Green Key also became an active member of the newly established Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance (TSCA). Through this alliance, Green Key is working alongside other leading certification programmes to develop joint minimum standards and address shared challenges, contributing to greater alignment and credibility across sustainability certifications.
A major focus of the year was the revision of Green Key’s criteria. The updated criteria, developed through internal working groups, external expert input, and public consultation, are expected to take effect on 1 October 2026. They aim to reflect current sustainability expectations and align with ISO principles. The revised criteria and explanatory notes will be published in early 2026.
In parallel, Green Key is redesigning its certification process, with implementation also planned for October 2026. The updated system will harmonise procedures across countries, align with ISO requirements, and clearly define responsibilities among applicants, Green Key, third-party auditors, and certification bodies.
These updates are designed to ensure readiness for the EU’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, which will take effect in late 2026. Green Key plans to apply for scheme approval with the Danish National Accreditation Body, while the Foundation for Environmental Education will seek accreditation of its certification body in 2026.
Green Key’s visibility continued to increase in 2025, with 165,000 unique website visitors, more than 14,000 social media followers, and over 8,900 newsletter subscribers.
Looking ahead to 2026, Green Key plans to publish its new criteria and certification processes, support establishments through the transition, deepen cooperation with partners, and continue expanding its global network in support of responsible and sustainable tourism.