Tourism Impact Alliance
Working Together for High-Impact Tourism
An International Project
The Tourism Impact Alliance is an international initiative led by TourCert in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and co-funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The project addresses the challenge posed by more than 150 sustainability labels in tourism and the wide variety of standards currently in use. Its aim is to promote the harmonisation of standards and improve the measurability of sustainability performance.
A dedicated impact model with core indicators is being developed to enhance comparability between certified businesses and destinations while strengthening overall sustainability outcomes. At the same time, the project seeks to foster closer collaboration among certification bodies and to advance digitalisation, innovation, and collaborative thinking in certification and auditing processes.
Addressing Global Challenges
Sustainability developments worldwide are evolving rapidly and require decisive action, particularly in tourism and within certification systems. This includes regulatory developments such as the EU’s Green Claims Directive, ongoing discussions around monitoring and measuring sustainability in tourism, and the broader question of how global tourism can contribute to climate neutrality.
Through the Tourism Impact Alliance, these complex challenges are addressed with the goal of strengthening the transformation impact of businesses, destinations, and supply chains. This is achieved through improved performance measurement, digitalisation, and a stronger focus on impact. Value-driven and tourism-competent certification organisations can play a pivotal role in this transformation – provided they are given the opportunity to do so.
Our Areas of Work
Impact Measurement and Management
At the end of 2022, the Tourism Impact Alliance established the Impact Panel as a think tank and exchange platform focused on impact measurement, impact management, and the verification of sustainability commitments in tourism. The panel brings together certification bodies, standard owners, and regional sustainability networks.
During the first half of 2023, the panel met monthly to advance joint approaches to impact management within their respective initiatives and certification schemes. A key focus was the development of shared sustainability indicators and methodological approaches to improve measurement across standards and within the Alliance. The objective was to define concrete core indicators, develop methodological frameworks, and assess feasibility and integration into certification processes. The outcomes were consolidated in a concept paper.
Tourism Audit Office
The Tourism Audit Office represents an alternative and accessible approach to quality assurance within the community of sustainable tourism certification bodies.
It brings together organisations that share a common vision: advancing sustainable tourism, making its impacts visible, strengthening the credibility of certification, and increasing market impact.
As an accredited service provider, the Tourism Audit Office aims to eliminate the need for individual accreditations for each participating organisation. It develops up-to-date professional standards and ensures independent certification by taking over auditing processes.
Destinos del Futuro
“¡Viva Latinoamérica!” From the outset, the project has placed a strong focus on sustainable tourism development in Latin America. In 2022, the network Destinos del Futuro was established as part of this effort.
This destination network connects tourism destinations that share a commitment to sustainable, resilient, and regenerative development across Latin America and the Caribbean. It serves as an integrated platform for collaboration, enabling the exchange of knowledge and the joint development of improvements and innovations. Currently, seven destinations from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru are part of the network, with additional destinations from Chile and Honduras preparing to join.
Our Goals
We pursue shared objectives
01
Strengthening Positive Impacts through Tourism
Enhancing the transformation impact of businesses, destinations, and supply chains through performance measurement, digitalisation, and impact-oriented approaches.
02
Creating Credible Certification Systems
Establishing a shared Audit Office that ensures independent verification and promotes accredited auditing standards.
03
Expanding Collaboration among Certifiers
Strengthening value-driven and tourism-focused certification bodies through networking and improved market positioning.
04
Establishing Sustainable Destination Systems
Building networks for labelling, performance assessment, capacity development, and systemic destination management.
Do you have any questions?
We’d be happy to discuss our services with you and help you find the solution that best fits your needs. We look forward to hearing from you!
Cilia Mayer
Head of Project Management