IDEAL RECOGNITION PATHWAYS

We offer several pathways to global recognition, from accessible entry points to rigorous certification.

Top 100 Sustainability Stories Competition
An annual competition celebrating inspiring sustainable tourism initiatives from destinations worldwide. After completing a Sustainability Check, participants submit Good Practice Stories that showcase their commitment to responsible tourism. This platform provides global exposure and is an excellent starting point for destinations embarking on their sustainability journey.

IDEAL Benchmarking
A remote assessment process evaluating a destination's sustainability performance against the IDEAL Standard. This pathway is fully virtual, offers a moderate level of compliance, and serves as an alternative to full certification. It is particularly suitable for smaller or less complex destinations or those transitioning from Top 100 to Third-Party Certification.

IDEAL Third-Party Certification
The highest level of recognition, involving comprehensive onsite audits and annual surveillance. This rigorous process, provided by Green Destinations and accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), validates a destination's commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

Both the Top 100 Stories and Third-Party Certification are offered through Green Destinations, a leading organization in sustainable tourism. They provide platforms for business and destination partners, convene global leaders at annual conferences, and offer GSTC-accredited certifications.

Explore our recognition pathways to find the right fit for your destination's sustainability goals.