Green Destinations

Standard & Reporting System

Version 1.4
November 2017

www.greendestinations.org
 Green Destinations Standard

1. Introduction
The Green Destinations Standard is a tool to measure, monitor and improve the sustainability
profile of destinations and regions. The Green Destinations Standard for sustainable destination
development and management satisfies the need to make sustainable development concrete,
objective and demonstrable. Destinations worldwide can adapt their sustainability management
system and implementation actions to the requirements the Green Destinations standard and
obtain recognition of their efforts.
The Green Destinations standard is inspired by internationally recognised standards such as ETIS, ISO
14001, EMAS and the Global Reporting Initiative. The standard is “Recognised” by the Global
Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
The Green Destinations Standard originates from an assessment system to gauge sustainability and
quality of coastal destinations: the QualityCoast programme. Based on this system, an initial Global
Sustainable Tourism Review (GSTR) was developed to cover also non-coastal destinations. Through a
consultation round in the months of July-August 2015 under Green Destinations partners, the
current Green Destinations Standard was developed.

2. Scope
The scope of the standard refers the tourism sector of destination. Hence, the environmental
impacts to be addressed, and stakeholders to be involved, should be related to the tourism sector.
However, the standard only assesses and awards the destination and its management organisation.
Other organisations and companies such as hotels and tour operators in the destination are not part
of the scope of the standard and therefore not entitled to use the logo / name of the standard as
promotion of their own company. Individual enterprises are advised to pursue a relevant, GSTC
recognized /approved, standard and certification system for accommodations or tour operators.
The Green Destinations standard is applied for Certification and (pre-certification) Award
programmes. Current programmes that apply the standard are:
Certification
 Green Destinations Certification Programme
Awards that can be considered benchmarks towards Green Destinations certification:
 QualityCoast (www.qualitycoast.info)
 QualityTourism and QualityDestination
 Slovenia Green (www.slovenia-green.si)
 ECOXXI in Portugal (https://ecoxxi.abae.pt/).
A list of representatives for the Award and Certification Programme can be found in Annex II.
Turn-key solution
The online assessment & reporting system is set up in such a way that countries, regions and existing
or new sustainability certification or development programmes can use the Green Destinations
standard and its reporting system, branded as their ‘own’ scheme (‘powered by Green
Destinations’). See as example www.slovenia-green.si.
 Green Destinations Standard

3. Organisation and ownership

The Green Destinations standard is owned based on equal shares by a consortium of 3 organisations
based in The Netherlands:

 Green Destinations
 Coastal & Marine Union – EUCC
 European Centre for Eco and Agro Tourism (ECEAT)
The daily management of the standard is performed by Green Destinations.
The Green Destinations Partnership is forming the Advisory board of the Green Destinations
Standard and its related Reporting System. The role of the advisory board is to provide input to
review and improvement processes, and to support the application of the standard in various
corners of the world.
The Partnership and Advisory Board consists of individual experts from around the world related to
tourism in the field of Education/Science, National and International NGOs, and members with a
tourism industry background.

4. Standard review and revision

The Green Destinations Standard criteria review and revision processes described below are
designed to be in line with the requirements and provisions of GSTC Recognised Manual Version 2.0
and other relevant international standard requirements.
Criteria review process
The Green Destinations Standard shall be reviewed on a periodic basis for continued relevance
effectiveness in meeting its stated objectives and compliance with any update of the GSTC
benchmark criteria for destinations. If necessary, the Standard shall be revised in a timely manner. A
review process shall occur at least every five years. The date of any revisions or reaffirmations of the
Standard shall be noted in the Standard.
Revision process
The secretariat makes a proposal for the revision of the standards. Such proposal will consider:
 Feed-back from certified destinations.
 Feed-back from relevant stakeholder groups.
 Feed-back from expert organizations.
 Feed-back from auditors.
 The secretariat’s own observations.
 Newly developed tools (which make implementation more practical / feasible).
 General industry performance (benchmark results).
 Adaptations of international standards and guidelines on which the Green Destinations
standard is based upon (e.g. GSTC).
 Recommendations from the Advisory Board.

The revised draft standard will then be submitted for consultation to key stakeholders and further
adapted. The final proposal is endorsed by the Advisory Board.
 Green Destinations Standard

The revisions will be communicated to any bodies that have recognized the standard, such as the
Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Compliance with the new standard
The Green Destinations Secretariat may establish the period within which all destinations will have
to comply with the new standard. This period may differ for the various criteria. The minimum
period is however six months. The maximum period is 2 years.

5. Nature of the standard

The Green Destinations Standard consists of 100 criteria, covering the following 6 main themes:
1. Destination Management
2. Nature & Scenery
3. Environment & Climate
4. Culture & Tradition
5. Social Well-being
6. Business & Hospitality
The standard has several ‘special’ criteria:
 “Optional” these criteria are not mandatory
 “Optional: can be required by specific certification programmes”: these are not mandatory
by the ‘base’ standard, but may be required by specific countries or programmes, such as
ecotourism destination programmes, or by countries where community development is of
high importance
 “Extra”: these criteria show where the ‘base’ standard goes beyond GSTC requirements
 “Not Applicable”: these criteria are important enough to be included in the base standard,
but may in certain circumstances not apply to certain destinations.
In order to comply with the Green Destinations standard, destinations should comply with every
criterion except those marked ‘Optional’ or in case ‘Not Applicable’ is justified.
Countries or programmes that use the standard may decide to recognise the efforts of destinations
that party comply with the standard, by attributing for example Awards to certain levels of
compliance.
Details of the standard can be found in Annex I.

Leiden, The Netherlands, November 2017

 Green Destinations Standard

Annex I: Green Destinations Standard

* Optional: not mandatory in GD Standard
Green Destinations Standard 2.0 (GSTC-Recognised in March 2016) Extra: mandatory in GD Standard, not in
G GSTC-D
Explanation when
Themes and Optional
Criteria or Extra*
criterion may be
Sub-theme Non-Applicable
Theme 1: DESTINATION MANAGEMENT
The destination demonstrates appropriate destination planning and environmental management of the territory.
COMMITMENT & 1.1 Sustainability A person has been assigned the responsibility and authority for the adequate implementation and reporting of
1 ORGANISATION coordinator sustainable destination management.
Sustainable 1.2 Management An appropriately funded organisation or management structure suited to the size and scale of the destination is
development and structure responsible for coordinating and promoting sustainable tourism development and management.
management of 1.3 Vision The destination has defined, in consultation with stakeholders, a Vision which has integrated sustainability Extra
the destination is principles and is publicly communicated.
supported by an 1.4 Trained The person or team responsible for destination development and management is adequately trained on
adequate coordinator/ sustainability.
organizational team
structure. 1.5 Tourism sector The destination management organisation or structure cooperates with the private and public sector in
involvement sustainable destination management.
PLANNING & 2.1 Inventory The destination has a publicly available and regularly updated inventory of its assets and attractions including
2 DEVELOPMENT natural and cultural sites.
Tourism in the 2.2 Baseline The destination has conducted a Baseline Assessment analysing tourism impacts on nature & scenery,
destination is Assessment environment & climate, culture & tradition, and the local community; and describing the visitor profile.
carefully planned. 2.3 Tourism policy The destination has an up-to-date, publicly available, multi-year tourism policy or strategy addressing
environmental, aesthetic, social, cultural, economic, quality, health and safety issues.

2.4 Transparency The development of destination planning is conducted in close inclusive consultation with stakeholders and is
and subject to a thorough public review process. Planning regulations and decisions are publicly communicated and
enforcement are enforced.
2.5 Tourism action The destination is implementing a sustainable tourism action plan, including targets, actions, measures,
plan responsibilities and time planning.
2.6 Stakeholder The destination involves stakeholders in the implementation of the action plan and acknowledges them as Optional
involvement partners for successful and continuous sustainability improvements. (ISO)

2.7 Visitor Adequate visitor management is applied to optimise tourism impacts on the natural, cultural and social assets of
Management the destination, as identified in the Baseline Assessment.
 Green Destinations Standard

2.8 Financial Through a financial strategy and planning the destination aims to strengthen its long-term financial viability and Optional
strategy independence.
MONITORING & 3.1 Indicators Relevant destination sustainability indicators and developments including environmental, economic, social,
3 REPORTING cultural, tourism, and human rights issues are adequately monitored and publicly reported; and the monitoring
Sustainability system is periodically reviewed
issues and 3.2 Review and The objectives and targets of the policy and action plan are regularly monitored and updated, making use of Optional
developments are evaluation documented procedures. (ISO)
monitored and 3.3 Corrective In case evaluation shows any discrepancy between planned objectives and actual performance, the causes are
reported measures identified and effective corrective measures are taken.
3.4 Communication Stakeholders are regularly updated on the destination's sustainability policy, activities, and results. Optional
(ISO)
3.5 Records The destination establishes and keeps records and documents that are necessary to demonstrate conformity to Extra
the requirements of its sustainability management system.
3.6 Management At least once a year the sustainability co-ordinator reports to the highest political body on the effect of the Extra
reporting implemented policies and actions, and on the status towards the defined objectives, and formulates
recommendations for improvements and next steps.
3.7 Public The key sustainability results are reported to the public at least every two years and are available on the
Reporting destination's public website.

LEGAL & ETHICAL 4.1 Legal The destination maintains an up-to-date list of international, national and local legal requirements applicable to Optional
4 COMPLIANCE requirements its tourism operations. Legal requirements to be considered include health, safety, labour and environmental (ISO)
The destination overview aspects.
adheres to legal 4.2 Legal The destination's development and management activities comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
and ethical compliance
requirements. 4.3 Ethical code The destination has an ethical code for its management and other staff.
4.4 Corruption A guideline against corruption and bribery exists and is complied with. Non-compliance by the destination or its Optional
suppliers is contested. No negative consequences for staff who, in good faith, inform relevant authorities on non (ISO)
compliance.
4.5 Non- In the event of sanctions imposed as a result of non-compliance with legal requirements and ethical principles, Optional
compliance the destination explains the cause and the corrective measures that have been taken. (ISO)
4.6 Fair The destination complies with national laws for public procurement and rewards contracts on the basis of quality, Optional
competition price and sustainability aspects. (ISO)
 Green Destinations Standard

Theme 2: NATURE & SCENERY

The destination is carefully avoiding substantial damage to its typical natural and scenic values, and natural wildlife in and around the destination
NATURE & 5.1 Nature The protection of natural sites, habitats, species, and ecosystems (incl. marine and aquatic) is effectively
5 CONSERVATION: protection addressed and enforced. Nature degradation is mitigated and where necessary addressed and reversed, or
Nature is compensated.
enhanced and 5.2 Natural The protection of natural resources is adequately organised and enforced, and unsustainable use is avoided.
effectively resource
protected protection
5.3 Exotic species The introduction or spread of invasive alien species is adequately addressed and prevented.
5.4 Wildlife Harvesting, capture, display, and sale of plants and animals is effectively regulated in order to comply with local
protection and national regulations and international conventions and agreements, ensuring their protection and
sustainable management.
5.5 Monitoring The destination monitors the impact of tourism on ecosystems, natural sites, species and their habitats as
tourism identified in the Baseline Assessment (criterion 2.2).
impacts on
nature
NATURE 6.1 Nature Tourism is respectful to nature and wildlife, and supportive to its protection. Nature and wildlife experience is N/A if nature (flora; fauna)
6 EXPERIENCE: experience genuine and responsible. is no tourism asset
Tourism is 6.2 Animal ethics The use of animals in tourism is effectively controlled in order to decrease the risk of unnecessary suffering, Optional
respectful to disease, and death.
nature and
wildlife, and
supportive to its
protection.
LANDSCAPE & 7.1 Landscape & Natural and rural scenic views are protected and the sense of place is maintained; landscape degradation and
7 SCENERY: Open Scenery urban sprawl into scenic landscapes is effectively avoided.
landscapes and
scenic views are
protected, and
landscape
degradation is
avoided
 Green Destinations Standard

Theme 3: ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE

The destination is carefully avoiding substantial damage to a healthy and clean environment.
LAND USE & 8.1 Environmental Environmental risks are adequately addressed, based upon the risks and impacts identified in the Baseline
8 POLLUTION: risks Assessment (criterion 2.2).
Sustainable land 8.2 Air pollution Air pollution is adequately addressed, based upon the risks and impacts identified in the Baseline Assessment
use and pollution (criterion 2.2); impacts of tourism related air pollution are effectively controlled.
is effectively 8.3 Noise Noise is adequately regulated and minimised, based upon the risks and impacts identified in the Baseline
addressed. Assessment; enterprises and visitors are encouraged to minimise noise.
8.4 Light pollution Impacts of light pollution to wildlife and to visitor experience are adequately addressed, based upon the risks and
impacts identified in the Baseline Assessment.
8.5 Land use & Land use and maritime spatial planning is subject to environmental, economic and social impact assessment,
planning aiming to optimise the impacts of development and infrastructure projects during planning, design, construction
and demolition.
WATER 9.1 Water sourcing The destination's water resources and usage are adequately managed and monitored and it is ensured that water
9 MANAGEMENT: use by tourism enterprises does not jeopardise the water requirements of residents
water quality, 9.2 Water quality Drinking and recreational water quality is adequately monitored and the results are publicly available.
water monitoring
management, and 9.3 Water quality There is an adequate response system to water quality problems.
efficient water use response
are adequately 9.4 Waste water Waste water treatment is adequately organised and relevant regulations are enforced, aimed to minimise
addressed treatment impacts to people and the environment; this also relates to siting, maintenance and testing of discharge from
septic tanks.

SUSTAINABLE 10.1 Soft mobility The destination has a soft mobility strategy to minimize high-impact transportation (as identified in Baseline N/A if soft mobility
10 MOBILITY: Impact Assessment) in touristic zones; walking and cycling is facilitated and encouraged. measures are no viable
from solution (to be clarified and
reconsidered every 2 yrs)
transportation to
10.2 Public Public transportation is adequately organised and its use is encouraged. N/A if public transport is
people, not viable (to be clarified
environment and Transport
and reconsidered every 2
climate is years)
adequately 10.3 Travel & The destination has a strategy aimed at measuring and minimising the carbon footprint connected to the travel of Optional
addressed. Climate its visitors.
10.4 Carbon The destination considers the carbon footprint related to the travel of its visitors, and promotes appropriate Optional
compensation measures aimed at an effective carbon compensation.

WASTE & 11.1 Solid waste Any solid waste is adequately monitored, reduced, separated and recycled, and quantitative goals are set,
11 RECYCLING: reduction especially regarding the reduction of plastic waste.
Separate waste 11.2 Waste Facilities are in place for an adequate separation of municipal and industrial waste.
collection, separation
 Green Destinations Standard

recycling and re- 11.3 Waste disposal Any residual solid waste that is not reused or recycled is disposed of safely and sustainably.
use of waste is
adequately
addressed.

ENERGY & 12.1 Energy

12 CLIMATE CHANGE consumption
Measures are taken to reduce energy consumption in the destination; residents and visitors are encouraged to
reduce energy consumption without compromising service or safety
Renewable energy monitoring
and reduction of 12.2 Reduction fossil Adequate measures and incentives exist to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and to encourage renewable energy
greenhouse gases fuel technologies.
are promoted. dependency
CLIMATE CHANGE 13.1 Responding to Climate change adaptation receives all necessary attention in accordance with the Baseline Assessment; this
13 ADAPTATION: climate risks includes identification of risks and opportunities, addressing development, siting, design, and management of
Adaptation to facilities, enhancing the resilience of the destination.
climate change is 13.2 Climate change Residents, tourism enterprises and visitors are informed about climate change, in an appropriate way.
getting all information
necessary
attention.
 Green Destinations Standard

Theme 4: CULTURE & TRADITION

The destination is carefully avoiding major damage to its typical local values and character, and cultural heritage in and around the destination.
CULTURAL 14.1 Cultural The conservation, authenticity and aesthetic presentation of cultural resources such as sites and built heritage, N/A if destination has no
14 HERITAGE: Cultural heritage typical or traditional architecture, town design, cultural sense of place, urban scenic views, and archaeological cultural heritage
sites and conservation sites, is adequately organised and enforced according to internationally recognized standards.
landscapes, built 14.2 Protecting Sale, trade, display or gifting of historical and archaeological artefacts is adequately regulated and enforced. N/A if no cultural/
heritage and artefacts and archaeological artefacts
artefacts are fossils are present (incl sale/
trade) within the destin.
effectively
protected 14.3 Managing Tourism related to cultural sites, built heritage, culturally important landscapes, land-use and sense of place is
tourism carefully managed to avoid negative impacts. Any impacts such as damage, disruption and degradation are
impacts on adequately monitored and addressed.
culture

PEOPLE & 15.1 Intangible Intangible cultural heritage and local life and culture, are adequately protected and respected. Extra N/A if destination has no
15 TRADITION: heritage intangible cultural heritage
Tourism is 15.2 Respecting Tourism is respectful of the living culture and traditions, supportive to its protection and celebration, and not Optional
respectful of the authenticity interfering with its practice. The practice of tourism in observing the living culture and traditions is genuine and
living culture and respectful. When traditions are replicated they remain genuine and authentic.
traditions, and
supportive to its
protection.
 Green Destinations Standard

Theme 5: SOCIAL WELL-BEING

The destination is taking good care of the inhabitants and visitors of the destination.
HUMAN RESPECT: 16.1 Property rights Property and water rights are adequately registered and protected and are compliant with indigenous and
16 Inhabitants and communal rights; regulations are enforced, and are subject to public consultation.
visitors are 16.2 Resettlement Resettlement of residents is only possible with prior informed consent and reasonable compensation.
protected against
violations of civil 16.3 Indigenous Rights of indigenous and local people to access and visit natural and cultural sites are ensured by law, unless this
rights and rights access has adverse effects on destination sustainability.
corruption. 16.4 Indigenous Intellectual property rights of indigenous people, locals and communities are effectively protected by law. N/A if there such rights are
intellectual not present within the
property destination
16.5 Protection of The destination takes adequate measures to protect all people legally and effectively against commercial, sexual,
people or any other form of exploitation and harassment, particularly of children, adolescents, elderly, disabled, women,
and minorities.

16.6 Public The legal and effective protection of people against exploitation and harassment is publicly communicated, and is
communication obvious to offenders.
of laws
16.7 Monitoring The destination takes adequate measures to monitor respect of universal human rights.
human rights
COMMUNITY 17.1 Inhabitants The process of developing general planning policies and guidelines, and of preparing destination management
17 PARTICIPATION: involved in and development, is open and accessible to public stakeholders.
Community planning
participation and 17.2 Inhabitants Residents are regularly involved in discussions on opportunities, challenges and sustainability of tourism
stakeholder informed about development.
involvement in tourism
destination 17.3 Stakeholder Enterprises, visitors and the public are offered opportunities to contribute to community and sustainability
management and contributions initiatives, as a volunteer, in cash or in kind.
development is 17.4 Inhabitant The satisfaction of residents with tourism development and destination management is adequately monitored
ensured. satisfaction regularly, and the results are publicly reported in a timely manner.

17.5 Community The destination is consciously supporting integration of community members in the management of the Optional
Empowerment resources with a view to creating destinations stewards beyond the boundaries of the destination.

LOCAL ECONOMY 18.1 Optimising Measures are taken to optimise private sector contribution to the local economy, with special attention and
18 Tourism's private sector support to local small and medium-sized enterprises.
contribution to the contribution
 Green Destinations Standard

local economy is 18.2 Promoting local The inclusion of local artisans, producers and service providers in the tourism value chain according to fair trade
optimised. products and principles is supported; local and sustainable products that are supportive to the area’s nature, culture, local
services identity, and local economy, are promoted. These may include food and beverages, crafts, performance arts,
agricultural products, etc.

18.3 Monitoring The contributions of tourism to the destination's economy are annually monitored and publicly reported, and
economic should include visitor expenditure, revenue per available room, employment, and investment data.
impacts
18.4 Socio-economic The destination promotes socio-economic development in the community. Optional
development
SOCIAL IMPACT 19.1 Optimising The impact of visitors to the local community and other visitors is appropriately monitored, and measures are
19 MANAGEMENT: social impacts taken to optimise their contribution to the local economy.
The effects of 19.2 Real estate The impact of real estate development on the local community is appropriately monitored, and measures are N/A if no real estate is
tourism are exploitation taken to optimise their contribution to the local economy. privately owned in the
adequately destination
managed. 19.3 Seasonality Options to combat seasonality are investigated and implemented, including a mechanism to identify year-round
tourism opportunities, where appropriate—taking into account the needs of the local economy, community,
cultures and environment.

HEALTH & SAFETY: 20.1 Health & safety Crime, safety, and health hazards are adequately prevented and addressed.
20 A healthy, safe and prevention &
secure response
environment is 20.2 Health & safety Crime, safety, and health hazards are adequately monitored and publicly reported.
ensured for monitoring
inhabitants and 20.3 Crisis & The destination has an appropriate, up-to-date crisis and emergency response plan to address natural and man-
visitors. emergency made disasters (as identified in the Baseline Assessment). The plan is publicly available and funded; training is
response provided for staff, visitors, and residents.
 Green Destinations Standard

Theme 6: BUSINESS & HOSPITALITY

The destination ensures involvement of the business sector in sustainability; appropriate destination information and marketing; and acts as a good host.
BUSINESS 21.1 Sustainability Internationally recognised sustainability standards consistent with the GSTC Criteria for tourism enterprises are
21 INVOLVEMENT:The standards promoted by the destination or the business sector.
tourism sector
takes its 21.2 Publication of A list of for sustainability certified or verified tourism enterprises is maintained and publicly available.
responsibility for certified
sustainability in enterprises
the destination 21.3 Water Enterprises are encouraged to reduce and publicly report on water usage.
consumption
21.4 Waste water Enterprises are assisted to find and implement solutions to effectively treat and reuse wastewater. Local and
treatment national regulations are effectively enforced.
21.5 Solid waste Enterprises are encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle solid waste.
21.6 Energy and Enterprises are encouraged to adequately monitor, minimise, mitigate, and publicly report energy consumption
greenhouse gas and greenhouse gas emissions from all aspects of their operation.

21.7 Equal and fair The destination promotes occupational safety, fair wages, fair trade, equal employment and training
employment opportunities in the tourism sector, and enforces the relevant regulations in this field.

21.8 Tour guide Tour guides are trained to apply a relevant code of practice, and adhere to the code in order to optimise the N/A if no tour guides are
codes of impact of the tour. active
practice
21.9 Product The destination has a functional product development strategy to ensure the competitiveness and financial Optional
development sustainability of the destination
INFORMATION & 22.1 Respectful N/A if dest. does not
22 MARKETING: promotion
Destination promotion is authentic and respectful to residents and visitors.
publish promotion
Destination 22.2 Accurate Destination promotion is accurate in its description of products, services and sustainability claims. N/A if dest. does not
promotion and promotion publish promotion
information to 22.3 Visitor Guidelines for appropriate visitor behaviour are developed and made available, aimed to minimize adverse
visitors is accurate behaviour at impacts on sensitive sites and to strengthen positive visitor behaviour. Local stakeholders are involved in the
and respectful sensitive sites development of information for visitors.
22.4 Sustainability Visitors are adequately informed about relevant sustainability issues in the destination including natural, Optional
information environmental, cultural and social issues, and including the tourist's role regarding these issues.
22.5 Interpretive Interpretive information provided at natural and cultural sites is accurate, respectful to different cultural values, N/A if no natural or
information developed with community collaboration, and cultural sites or attractions
communicated in most relevant languages. exist in the destination
22.6 Green The destination promotes itself as a green destination, as well as the art and culture in the destination for their Optional
destination revitalization
marketing
 Green Destinations Standard

HOSPITALITY & 23.1 Visitor The characteristics and preferences of visitors are monitored and publicly reported Optional
23 SATISFACTION monitoring
The destination is 23.2 Visitor Visitor satisfaction is systematically measured and the results are taken into account for destination and service
a good host, caring satisfaction improvements.
for feedback from 23.3 Sustainability Visitor surveys collect feedback on sustainability aspects. Optional
tourists in visitor survey
23.4 Accessibility Access to tourism sites is supported for individuals with disabilities, where possible, whilst not harming the sites
and their sense of place.
Green Destinations Standard