TourCert Smart

Sustainability that delivers – for tourism businesses in Peru and Colombia

Worldwide, fewer than 2% of the approximately 600,000 tourism businesses are sustainably certified—although international tour operators and guests increasingly expect such proof. Sustainability is no longer an add-on, but a key factor for market access, partnerships, and credibility.

Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, face major challenges: increasing requirements, limited resources, and often a lack of practical solutions.

This is exactly where our project comes in: Together, TourCert and Slashmobility support 80 hotels and tour operators in Peru and Colombia in embedding sustainability in a structured, efficient, and long-term way into their operations.

The focus is on:

  • a freely accessible digital platform
  • hands-on online training
  • individual coaching by local experts

Our goal: to guide companies step by step toward internationally recognized TourCert certification.

From Idea to Implementation

Many companies know they need to become more sustainable—but the path is often unclear:

  • Which requirements are truly relevant?
  • Which standards apply internationally?
  • How can concrete measures be implemented in daily operations?

Between day-to-day business and increasing complexity, structure is often missing.

Our project provides exactly that structure:

  • clear requirements
  • concrete, actionable steps
  • suitable digital tools
  • personal guidance

This makes sustainability tangible—and successfully integrated into everyday business operations.

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Make Your Success Visible Quickly

 

From the very beginning, you benefit directly from participation:

  • Reduce costs: Quickly identify savings potential in energy and water
  • Increase visibility: Become more discoverable and comparable for international partners
  • Get started easily: Implement first measures with clear guidelines and personal support

Our Goals

We support tourism businesses not only in implementing sustainability, but in using it strategically:

  • Integrate sustainability systematically into business processes
  • Achieve concrete improvements—especially in energy, water, and waste
  • Make sustainability performance measurable and comparable
  • Improve access to international markets (especially Europe/DACH)
  • Strengthen transparency and trust along the supply chain
  • Use digital solutions for efficient reporting and certification (“Smart Certification”)
  • Establish sustainability as a real competitive advantage
  • Promote networking between both countries (Peru and Colombia), as well as with tour operators in Germany

     

    Project Partners & Implementation

     

    The project is implemented by a German-Spanish consortium:
    TourCert contributes extensive experience in sustainable tourism, while Slashmobility brings digital expertise and innovation.

    The project runs from 2026 to 2028 and is co-financed under develoPPP by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via DEG Impulse gGmbH.

     

    Zwei Frauen mit vor Freude nach oben gestreckten Armen.

    Step by Step 

    Step Toward Sustainable Transformation
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    Understand your starting point

    We analyze the current state of sustainability in the sector and identify key challenges.
    Based on this, 80 companies are selected to actively participate.
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    Develop structure and content

    You receive a practical sustainability management system, as well as training and materials tailored specifically to hotels and tour operators.
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    Use digital tools

    Via a central platform, you manage your sustainability activities—from data collection to the final report.
    Simple, efficient, and integrated into daily operations.
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    Build knowledge and learn together

    You complete practical e-learning modules and exchange ideas with other companies—becoming part of a network that learns from one another.
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    Support implementation in operations

    With the help of experienced coaches, you implement concrete measures and integrate sustainability into your daily processes.
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    Measure progress and achieve certification

    You systematically collect your data, prepare your sustainability report, and undergo an external audit—with the goal of achieving TourCert certification.
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    Create visibility and amplify impact

    You showcase your progress and position yourself in the market—while simultaneously strengthening the entire sector.

    Join Now

    For tourism businesses in Peru and Colombia

    Do you want to future-proof your business and implement sustainability in a structured way?

    Become part of the project and benefit from:

    • practical training
    • individual support
    • a digital platform for your entire sustainability process
    • guidance toward internationally recognized certification

    For tour operators in the DACH region

    Are you looking for reliable, sustainably operating partners in your destinations?

    Or would you like to actively contribute to developing sustainable supply chains?

    The project offers you:

    • access to qualified local partners
    • transparency along the supply chain
    • the opportunity to directly contribute requirements and perspectives
    Contact

    Do you have questions or want to learn more?
    We are happy to advise you and explore how you can benefit.

    Contact Us

    Our Project Consultants

    Cilia Mayer

    Cilia Mayer

    Head of Project Management

     

    cilia.mayer@tourcert.org

    +49 711 24839727

    Michelle Rodriguez

    Michelle Rodriguez

    Project Manager TourCert Cockpit & Lead Travel for Tomorrow Academy

    Angela Giraldo

    Angela Giraldo

    Partner I Head of Empowerment

     

    angela.giraldo@tourcert.org

    +49 711 24839712