Certifications initiative
At Travalyst, we’re working to increase access to clear, consistent and compliant sustainability data to help travellers and businesses make more informed decisions.
The sustainability certifications industry encompasses a wide range of approaches, which can create confusion for both travellers and accommodation providers. At the same time, with new sustainability regulations aiming to empower consumers and tackle greenwashing, the standards for credible sustainability claims are rising.
Our Certifications Initiative supports the certifications industry on its journey within the evolving regulatory landscape and intends to drive consistency in the global minimum threshold that certification schemes are required to meet.
The second iteration is coming soon
Our initiative launched in Summer 2024 (more information below), where we facilitated the independent review of sustainability certifications for accommodation against a set of initial criteria. This criteria was the first step in a longer journey, with the intention to evolve the criteria through future iterations, making it more robust in line with the changing regulations.
We have now begun the second iteration of the initiative. We are building on the foundations of the first by updating the criteria to align with the impending EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive. The updated approach is currently undergoing a period of consultation with key stakeholders, and further details and updates will be shared in Q4 2025.
The initiative is free and accessible to all certification schemes, no matter how big or small. Entities added to Travalyst’s list during the first iteration of the initiative will be required to reapply and have been contacted as part of the consultation process.
To be added to our contact list for updates, please contact [email protected]
The first iteration
For the first iteration, we worked closely with our partners and our Independent Advisory Group, to align on three initial criteria.
Our initial criteria were:
- Third-party audit that includes on-site and/or remote online assessment of sustainable practices reported by the property.
- Publicly available standards upon which the certification or scheme is based.
- Focuses on evaluating the impact of social and/or economic, and/or environmental factors, among others, as encompassed within, but not restricted, to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
These criteria were intended to support the certifications industry globally on its journey towards regulatory compliance and drive consistency in the minimum threshold that entities meet.
We facilitated an independent review process periodically against these criteria, updating the list of entities found to be compliant iteratively. This list of compliant entities is still publicly available for industry to align behind in an effort to drive consistency in the information presented to travellers.
We are working with our stakeholders to closely monitor changing regulations and adapt our approach accordingly.
Contact
If you have any feedback or questions, please contact us at [email protected]