Biosphere, the certification brand managed by the Responsible Tourism Institute (ITR), solidifies its leadership in sustainable tourism by becoming a founding member of the Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance (TSCA). This global alliance brings together leading organizations in sustainable tourism certification.
Photo (from left): Billy Bishop – Travelife for Accommodation; Daniel Schaffer – FEE; Patricio Azcárate Díaz de Losada – Biosphere (Instituto de Turismo Responsible); Elissa Keenan – Ecotourism Australia; Naut Kusters – Travelife for Tour Operators; Birte Pelayo – Green Globe Certification; Gary Graham – Green Key Global; Albert Salman – Good Travel Seal; Marco Giraldo – Tourcert.
The TSCA alliance, presented in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on January 27, 2025, brings together recognized certifiers such as Biosphere, Blue Flag, Ecotourism Australia, Good Travel Seal, Green Globe Certification, Green Key (Foundation for Environmental Education), Green Key Global, TourCert, Travelife for Accommodation, and Travelife for Tour Operators. Together, these organizations aim to establish a unified global certification system for sustainable tourism.
For over 30 years, these internationally recognized certification bodies have been at the forefront of developing best practices in sustainable tourism. Collectively, they certify more than 19,000 businesses, organizations, and leading tourism destinations worldwide.
This alliance was established to promote best practices and strengthen global cooperation among certification organizations. It will operate under a rotating presidency, with Ecotourism Australia taking on the inaugural presidency of the TSCA.
Elissa Keenan, the TSCA Chairperson, emphasized during the launch event: "Our industry and travelers demand a transparent certification system that promotes the best in sustainable tourism while eliminating greenwashing. The TSCA was created by its founding members as a unified certification platform for the tourism industry, ensuring travelers can make informed decisions based on the highest sustainability standards."
Following its establishment, the TSCA will focus on supporting tourism businesses in complying with new consumer protection regulations, such as the European Union's Green Claims Directive. This directive aims to eliminate greenwashing and provide both businesses and travelers with a globally recognized standard backed by independent audits and verified evidence.
The TSCA will also work toward simplifying certification systems and aligning verification standards, criteria, benchmarks, and other certification requirements. By increasing the number of certified businesses, consumers will gain access to verified travel options backed by independent audits and documented evidence of sustainable practices.
The incorporation of Biosphere into the Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance (TSCA) marks another milestone in its journey as a leader in sustainable tourism. Since its inception, the Responsible Tourism Institute (ITR) has tirelessly worked to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the sector, driving tangible transformations that benefit both local communities and travelers.
In this context, Biosphere brings its expertise and steadfast commitment to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the alliance, contributing to the development of a minimum sustainability standard aimed at ensuring responsible and consistent practices on a global scale.
During the alliance's presentation, Patricio Azcárate Díaz de Losada, Secretary General of the ITR, stated: "Being part of the TSCA strengthens our mission to generate a positive impact in the environmental, social, and economic spheres. We aspire for this alliance to serve as an inspiration for more businesses and destinations to join this global transformation toward sustainability."
For Biosphere, the launch of this alliance marks a turning point in the evolution of sustainable tourism. Sustainability is no longer optional—it must be the path toward a future where tourism becomes a transformative force serving society, the environment, and the global economy.