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Green Choice

Demonstrate your sustainability performance with a recognized sustainable tourism certification — and build trust with travelers, partners and global platforms.

A practical entry point into sustainable tourism certification — without unnecessary complexity.

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    Key points

    Green Choice is a sustainable tourism certification designed to help tourism businesses validate and communicate their environmental and social impact.

    • Independent third-party certification.

    • Accessible and scalable approach.

    • Increase visibility in sustainable tourism markets.

    Why Green Choice is becoming a requirement

    Sustainable tourism is no longer a niche — it is becoming a market requirement. Travelers, booking platforms and regulators are moving away from self-declared sustainability claims toward credible, third-party certified tourism practices.

    Unverified claims are no longer enough.

    Green Choice provides a practical and accessible sustainable tourism certification to help businesses meet these expectations and compete in global markets.

    Make your sustainability visible

    What does Green Choice evaluate?

    Green Choice sustainable tourism certification evaluates tourism businesses across 4 key sustainability pillars.

    Applicable to hotels, eco-lodges, and accommodations committed to responsible tourism.

    Environmental impact (energy, water, waste, biodiversity)
    Social responsibility and community engagement
    Cultural heritage preservation
    Operational sustainability and continuous improvement

    Differentiate your tourism business — and make it visible

    Green Choice is designed as a practical entry point into sustainable tourism certification, especially for businesses that are not yet ready for more complex or costly schemes.

    • Access sustainable tourism certification without unnecessary complexity.

    • Position your business in global tourism platforms and distribution channels.

    • Build trust with international travelers and partners.

    • Start your certification journey with a scalable, step-by-step approach.

    • Communicate your sustainability performance and increase your visibility in the market.

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    Turn your sustainability efforts into a competitive advantage — not just a claim.

    Get started today!

    Structured process. Recognized results.

    A clear pathway to demonstrate and improve your sustainable tourism performance.

    Certification is valid for three years, with annual evaluations to ensure continuous compliance.

    Start your certification process

    Submit your application

    Undergo independent third-party audit

    Receive your certification and recognition

    Who can apply?

    Green Choice is designed for tourism businesses that want to start or strengthen their sustainability journey without the complexity of advanced sustainable tourism certification schemes such as GSTC-recognized standards and other internationally recognized programs.

    • 3★ hotels and independent accommodations

    • Eco-lodges and nature-based tourism

    • Rural and community tourism initiatives

    • Growing tourism businesses with limited resources

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    77% of 3-star hotels still lack sustainable tourism certification — representing a major opportunity to differentiate.

    Start where you are — and grow your sustainability performance over time.

    One standard.

    Three levels of achievement

    A step-by-step approach aligned with your level of maturity.

    Classic
    Foundational compliance with sustainable tourism criteria
    Premium
    Enhanced implementation and improved performance
    Outstanding
    Advanced practices with continuous improvement and recognition
    Why Control Union?

    Your certification partner for Green Choice

    Control Union is an approved certification body for the Green Choice standard, providing independent audits and certification services worldwide.

    • Global network of auditors and experts
    • Independent and credible third-party certification
    • Experience in sustainable tourism and global standards
    • Local expertise with international consistency

    FAQs

    Green Choice is a sustainable tourism certification that verifies a company’s environmental, social and operational practices.

    Hotels, eco-lodges and tourism accommodations that want to demonstrate responsible and sustainable tourism operations.

    Yes. Certification is conducted by independent, approved certification bodies such as Control Union.

    How long is the certification valid? Certification is valid for three years, with annual audits to maintain compliance.