Legal compliance
– Is in compliance with all applicable local, national and international legislation and regulations including, among others, health, safety, labour and environmental aspects.

Responsible social contribution
– Actively supports initiatives for local infrastructure and social community development. Examples of initiatives include education, training, health and sanitation, and projects which address the impacts of climate change.

Community services
– Activities do not jeopardize the provision of basic services, such as food, water, energy, healthcare or sanitation, to neighboring communities.

Local livelihoods
– Activities do not adversely affect local access to livelihoods, including land and aquatic resource use, rights-of-way, transport and housing.

Involuntary resettlement
– Acquisition and expansion of the property has not lead, nor is leading to, the involuntary resettlement of residents.

Guests hosted by resident
– The host of the B&B lives in the apartment (apartment is not entirely rented out to tourists).

Local ownership
– The owner is a local resident actively participating in the business.

Local entrepreneurs
– Supports local entrepreneurs in the development and sale of sustainable products and services that are based on the area’s nature, history, and culture.

Destination engagement
– Is involved with sustainable tourism planning and management in the destination, where such opportunities exist.

Destination engagement – Cruise operators*
– Prevents adverse cultural and socio-economic impacts on destination and their local communities through involvement with sustainable tourism planning and management in visited destinations. Ensures destinations visited have the necessary carrying capacity of local infrastructure to host the large influx of visitors.

Local student internships
– Offers internships to local students.

No human exploitation
– Has implemented a policy against commercial, sexual or any other form of exploitation or harassment.

Good employment
– Labour rights are respected, a safe and secure working environment is provided and employees are paid at least a living wage.

Local employment
– Local residents are given equal opportunities for employment and advancement, including in management positions.

Equal employment
– Offers employment opportunities, including in management positions, without discrimination by gender, race, religion, disability or in other ways.

Training
– Employees are offered regular training, experience and opportunities for advancement.

Employee insurance
– Employee contracts show support for health care and social security.

Employee well-being
– Focuses on ways to prevent physical and mental strain for employees by including complaint management systems. Employees have regular breaks and do not work excessive hours.

Employee engagement
– Employees are engaged with development and implementation of the sustainability management system and receive periodic guidance and training regarding their roles and responsibilities in its delivery.

Ensure health & safety
– Never causing health or safety hazards. Any risk factors are identified and addressed.

Safe location
– Location and immediate surroundings are safe, e.g. with security guards, security cameras, surveillance, or locks.

Emergency protocols
– Emergency procedure is established regarding e.g. first aid, safety training, and emergency exits.

Virus-awareness
– Implements all legally required measures against virus transmission (Virus-Aware Seal can be obtained upon separate check).

Swimming pool
– Regularly checks the water quality and safety of the swimming pool.

Diver to dive master ratio
– Ensures that the diver to dive master ratio safeguards proper and responsible supervision of underwater diver behaviour.

Access for all
– Provides access and information for persons with special needs, where appropriate.

No discrimination
– Welcomes all guests without discrimination by gender, race, religion, disability or in other ways.

Transport
– Seeks to reduce transportation requirements and actively encourages the use of cleaner and more resource efficient alternatives by customers, employees, suppliers and in its own operations (e.g. by informing about the availability of local public transportation).

Info on accessibility
– Clear and accurate information is provided on the level of accessibility.

Property rights & access
– Acquisition of land and water rights and of property is legal and complies with local communal and indigenous rights, including their free, prior and informed consent. User and access rights for key resources, including land and water, are documented where applicable.

Climate friendly
– Minimizes energy consumption and does not waste energy (e.g. no terrace heaters in open air).

Energy consumption
– Energy consumption is measured by type and steps are taken to minimize overall consumption.

Renewable energy
– Makes an effort to increase its use of renewable energy.

Energy saving practices
– Implements equipment and practices that minimize energy use.

Heating & A/C
– Prevents unnecessary use of heating or air conditioning.

Renewable energy producer
– Produces its own renewable energy (solar, wind, bio) or applies solar water heaters.

Electric cars
– Only uses fully electric cars, powered by renewable energy.

Crypto currencies
– No usage of crypto-currency transactions because of their high energy use.

Minimizing disposables
– Prevents the use of single-use disposables (especially plastic) and offers reusable alternatives instead (e.g. cutlery).

Waste reduction
– Waste, including food waste, is measured and mechanisms are in place to reduce waste.

Waste seperation
– Mechanisms are in place to reuse or recycle waste where reduction is not feasible.

Waste disposal
– Any residual waste disposal has no adverse effect on the local population or the environment.

Engine oil usage*
– Responsible oil storage, recycle, re-use, and disposal of engine oil. Ensures no oil is spilled into the (ground)water.

Waste storage & disposal*
– Waste is safely stored, separated, and disposed of in a responsible manner, with no adverse effect on the local population or the environment.

No single-use bottles
– Promotes drinking of (safe) tap water and provides access to refill reusable bottles, does not offer bottled water.

Recycling actions
– Actively organises or participates in recycling actions which go beyond basic waste separation.

Water conservation
– Takes steps to minimize water consumption and prevents water pollution.

Water consumption
– Water risk is assessed, water consumption is measured by type, and steps are taken to minimize overall consumption. Water sourcing is sustainable and does not adversely affect environmental flows. In areas of high water risk, context-based water stewardship goals are identified and pursued.

Sewage treatment
– Connected to sewage water treatment system (or safe septic tank option).

Water saving devices
– Has devices such as toilets, taps, and showers, that reduce the consumption of water.

Towel/linen washing policy*
– Guests are encouraged to indicate when towels and linen should be changed (preferably after the duration of their stay), otherwise it should be limited to twice a week.

Good use of water
– Wastewater, including grey water, is effectively treated and is only reused or released safely, with no adverse effects to the local population or the environment.

No pollution
– Implements practices to minimise pollution from noise, light, runoff, erosion, ozone-depleting substances, and air, water and soil contaminants.

No air pollution
– Identifies potential causes of air pollution and takes steps to prevent or minimise them.

Greenhouse gas emissions
– Significant greenhouse gas emissions from all sources controlled by the organization are identified, calculated where possible and procedures implemented to avoid or to minimize them. Effective compensation of the organization’s remaining emissions is encouraged.

Harmful substances
– The use of harmful substances, including pesticides, paints, swimming pool disinfectants, and cleaning materials, is minimised, and substituted when available by innocuous products or processes. All storage, use, handling, and disposal of chemicals are properly managed.

Nature friendly
– Supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimised, rehabilitated and there is a compensatory contribution to conservation management.

Invasive species
– Takes measures to avoid the introduction of invasive species. Native species are used for landscaping and restoration wherever feasible, particularly in natural landscapes.

Animal welfare
– No species of wild animal is acquired, bred or held captive, except by authorized and suitably equipped persons and for properly regulated activities in compliance with local and international law. Housing, care and handling of all wild and domestic animals meets the highest standards of animal welfare.

Wildlife interactions*
– Interactions with free roaming wildlife, taking into account cumulative impacts, are non-invasive and responsibly managed to avoid adverse effects on the animals concerned and on the viability and behaviour of populations in the wild.

Visits to natural sites*
– Follows appropriate guidelines for the management and promotion of visits to natural sites in order to minimise adverse impacts and maximize visitor fulfilment.

Biodiversity management
– Has an appropriate management of biodiversity on its own property. Particular attention is paid to natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value.

Wildlife trade
– Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded, except as part of a regulated activity that ensures that their utilization is sustainable, and in compliance with local and international laws.

Local conservation work
– Participates in wildlife conservation and monitoring activities led by local NGOs.

Buildings and infrastructure
– Planning, siting, design, construction, renovation, operation and demolition of buildings and infrastructure take account of the capacity and integrity of the natural and cultural surroundings, and use locally appropriate and sustainable practices and materials.

Culture friendly
– Has not seriously damaged local heritage in favour of modern business development over the past 5 years.

Protecting cultural heritage
– Contributes to the protection, preservation and enhancement of local properties, sites and traditions of historical, archaeological, cultural and spiritual significance and does not impede access to them by local residents.

Authentic experiences
– Values and incorporates authentic elements of traditional and contemporary local culture in its operations, design, decoration, cuisine, or shops, while respecting the intellectual property rights of local communities.

Cultural interactions*
– Follows international and national good practice and locally agreed guidance for the management and promotion of visits to indigenous communities and culturally or historically sensitive sites in order to minimise adverse impacts and maximize local benefits and visitor fulfilment.

Cultural interactions – Cruise operators*
– Obtains consent from indigenous communities and residents near cruise ship home ports and destinations. Promotes good practice of visitors when visiting culturally or historically sensitive sites.

Artifacts
– Historical and archaeological artifacts are not sold, traded or displayed, except as permitted by local and international law.

Sustainability reporting
– Publicly communicates its sustainability policy, actions and performance to stakeholders, including customers, and seeks to engage their support.

Sustainability management system
– Has implemented a long-term sustainability management system that is suitable to its size and scope, addresses environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, human rights, health, safety, risk and crisis management issues and drives continuous improvement.

Sustainability report
– The sustainability report of this certification procedure (or any previous certification) is made publicly available via the internet or openly available to clients (applicable from the second year onwards).

Accurate promotion
– Promotional materials and marketing communications are accurate and transparent with regard to the organization and its products and services, including sustainability claims. They do not promise more than is being delivered.

Info on nature & culture
– Provides information about and interpretation of the natural surroundings, local culture, and cultural heritage, as well as an explanation of appropriate behaviour while visiting natural areas, living cultures, and cultural heritage sites.

Info on sustainability*
– Visitors are informed about sustainable options concerning accommodations, restaurants, F&B, excursions, trips & tours and transportation to and within the destination.

Info on health & safety*
– Visitors are informed about any risks and precautions related to health and safety matters in the destination.

Customer experience
– Customer satisfaction, including aspects of sustainability, is monitored and corrective action taken.

What more do you do?
– What other important action or measure have you taken that is not legally required or covered by any of the previous criteria?