FAQ

CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility and refers to a company’s responsibility for the impact it has on society and the environment. Fulfilling CSR means going beyond legal requirements to integrate social and environmental considerations into core business practices. It’s not about isolated acts of goodwill, but about embedding a responsible mindset and strategic approach throughout the entire organization.

TourCert gGmbH, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Stuttgart, is an innovative certification and consultancy organization. It brings together experts from tourism, academia, environmental management, development, and policy. With their extensive experience, they provide professional training, advisory services, and certification.

TourCert has developed its own internationally recognized consulting and certification system for the tourism sector. To cover as much of the value chain as possible, tour operators, hotels, destinations, and other tourism-related businesses, even those that don’t fit these categories, can be certified by TourCert.

The certification process is structured into six consecutive steps. Learn more about the six steps to success.

The TourCert certification is distinguished by its long-term focus and process-oriented approach. This is the only way to achieve continuous development and improvement in sustainability performance. To ensure ongoing progress, TourCert emphasizes empowerment—enabling participating companies to take ownership—and actively involves all partners in the value chain.

5 Steps to TourCert Qualification

To achieve TourCert qualification, you begin by signing our Sustainability Guidelines (Step 1) and appointing a sustainability officer within your organization (Step 2). Next, our simple and user-friendly tool, the TourCert Selfcheck, helps you assess the sustainability of your products and services (Step 3). Based on this status quo analysis, improvement measures are identified and implemented (Step 4). Finally, TourCert verifies the requirements through a desktop review (Step 5).

Learn more about TourCert Qualified as a sustainability qualification.

6 Steps to Certification

The certification process involves creating a mission statement (Step 1), conducting a status quo analysis (Step 2), appointing and training a sustainability officer (Step 3), preparing a sustainability report (Step 4), defining improvement measures within an enhancement program (Step 5), and undergoing the final external certification by independent auditors (Step 6). After the initial certification, recertification takes place at regular intervals.

Learn more about certification for companies and destinations.

The processes are carried out alongside daily business operations, while the sustainability officer is being trained.

The TourCert qualification takes approximately two to three weeks. The full certification is more extensive and typically takes around eight months.

The sustainability processes are coordinated by a sustainability officer. To prepare for this role, TourCert provides the officer with training through the e-learning module “Travel for Tomorrow Basic,” a course that includes a final exam and certificate. In addition, the responsible person receives further training during an introductory and strategy workshop.

The company should ensure that the sustainability officer is provided with adequate time and resources to carry out their responsibilities.

TourCert Qualification

The sustainability officer is responsible for completing the Selfcheck and identifying improvement measures. In doing so, they remain in regular contact with the TourCert certification body.

Certification

Training for the sustainability officer runs alongside the company’s CSR implementation process. Through a mix of online, in-person, and practical learning phases, the officer acquires the necessary knowledge. Successful completion is recognized with a certificate. Throughout the training and in preparation for certification, participants are supported by advisory staff.

The officer is responsible for data collection, defining improvement measures, and annual updates. In addition, they assist management with sustainability-related decisions, oversee internal and external sustainability communication, and lead the training and motivation of all employees. They maintain continuous contact with the TourCert certification body throughout these processes.

To receive TourCert qualification or certification, participating companies must complete certain steps and meet both process and performance requirements.

The decision to certify a company is based on the audit report from the independent auditor and the vote of the Certification Board. If a company falls short on individual requirements, the board may grant certification with conditions that must be fulfilled within a set timeframe. For the TourCert qualification, recommendations may also be issued if sustainability performance is insufficient. If the requirements are broadly unmet, a company may fail the process.

The TourCert Qualified qualification is valid for one year. Continued recognition requires regular updates to the Selfcheck and the improvement program.

For hotels, tour operators, and other tourism-related businesses, certification is valid for two years after the initial certification and three years following each recertification.

For destinations, certification is valid for three years after the initial certification.

The fees for the TourCert qualification are scaled according to company size. Participating companies pay a set amount in the first year and a different rate for subsequent years. For small tour operators with up to 10 employees, prices start at around €300 in the first year and €250 in the following years.

Certification fees are also based on company size. For small businesses with up to three employees and an annual turnover of up to €600,000, prices start at approximately €900.

For training a sustainability officer, companies based in Germany can receive funding from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). This funding is already included in the prices for group training courses.

Independent of certification or TourCert qualification, companies can take advantage of our wide range of consulting and training services on various sustainability topics.

You can read more about the specific training and consulting services we offer here.