TSCA Reaches Key Milestone Toward a Unified Approach to Sustainable Tourism

The Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance (TSCA) was established in early 2025 with the aim of creating a unified, internationally recognized standard for sustainable tourism. Its mission is to harmonize sustainability criteria and develop a consensus-based framework that ensures both global consistency and transparency. TSCA member organizations provide a reliable foundation for implementing sustainable practices through tailored certification systems, while taking a clear stance against greenwashing. In doing so, TSCA makes a significant contribution to building a transparent and credible market for sustainable tourism.

Consistent Criteria for Sustainable Tourism Practices

The TSCA Standard forms the backbone of this vision by ensuring that all member organizations align their sustainability practices on a common foundation. This guarantees consistent and transparent action worldwide. The standard comprises 63 criteria across key areas including sustainability management, environmental protection, human rights, fair working conditions, and economic development. These criteria offer a clearly structured framework that enables businesses to regularly assess and continuously improve their practices.

TSCA follows a balanced approach that combines global coherence with local flexibility. While member organizations share common international standards for sustainable tourism, there is sufficient scope for local adaptation to reflect cultural, organizational, and geographic differences. This flexibility allows the TSCA Standard to be applied universally while still addressing the specific needs of businesses and destinations. As a result, organizations can choose from a range of certification labels that best match their operational requirements and the expectations of their guests.

The TSCA minimum standard is currently undergoing a peer review process and is being carefully evaluated prior to its official release. All relevant information and updates are regularly published on the official TSCA website at www.tourismsustainability.org.

Harmonized Requirements for Certification and Auditing

A key milestone for TSCA is the introduction of the Certification Manual, which provides the foundation for standardized certification processes.While the 63 criteria of the TSCA Standard define what sustainability practices are assessed, the Manual outlines how these practices are evaluated. It establishes clear requirements and procedures for conformity assessment, aligned with international ISO standards, and systematically structures the entire certification process—from application and evaluation to decision-making and ongoing monitoring. With the introduction of the Manual, TSCA ensures that certifications are conducted independently, objectively, and in accordance with the highest international standards. This strengthens transparency and credibility in sustainable tourism and ensures that all processes meet the strictest requirements for impartiality and reliability.

Through the continuous development of both the Standard and the Manual, TSCA ensures alignment with the latest regulatory requirements, such as the EU Green Claims Directive, and enables robust verification of sustainability claims.

Collaboration at the Core

TSCA places strong emphasis on open collaboration and active exchange with industry associations and stakeholders to establish sustainable certification as a key driver of the tourism sector’s future development. The alliance continues to grow and invites certification organizations worldwide to join the shared standard. By becoming part of TSCA, members benefit from global networking opportunities and a recognized, reliable system that enhances transparency and credibility. Join this movement and contribute to establishing sustainable tourism as a global standard—one that fosters a future-oriented, responsible, and equitable travel industry.

Über die TSCA

The Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance is a global coalition of leading certification bodies for sustainable travel and tourism. Founding members include Biosphere (Instituto de Turismo Responsable), Ecotourism Australia, the Foundation for Environmental Education (Blue Flag and Green Key), Good Travel Seal, Green Globe Certification, Green Key Global, TourCert, Travelife for Accommodation, and Travelife for Tour Operators.

For more than 30 years, these internationally recognized certification organizations have been at the forefront of developing best-in-class standards for sustainable tourism. Together, they certify more than 19,000 leading tourism businesses, organizations, and destinations worldwide. TSCA was established to promote best practices and strengthen collaboration among certification bodies on a global scale. The alliance’s first chair is held by Ecotourism Australia.