Responsible Tourism & Hospitality Standard (RTHS)

The hospitality industry plays an important role in supporting economic development, creating employment opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, and contributing to the well-being of local communities. At the same time, hotel and accommodation operations have environmental and social impacts through energy and water consumption, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, resource utilisation, and interactions with local communities and natural ecosystems.

Recognising the growing importance of responsible tourism and sustainable hospitality, GCL International has developed the Responsible Tourism & Hospitality Standard (RTHS) Sustainable Hotel Standard to provide a practical, accessible, and internationally applicable framework for hotels and accommodation providers seeking to adopt and demonstrate sustainable practices.

Purpose of the Standard

The Standard aims to encourage and recognise hotels and accommodation providers that demonstrate a commitment to environmental protection, responsible business practices, employee well-being, community engagement, and cultural heritage preservation.

The Standard has been designed to accommodate hotels of different sizes, categories, locations, and operational capacities. It emphasises achievable sustainability measures, measurable improvements, and proportionate evidence requirements, enabling accommodation providers to begin or strengthen their sustainability journey without unnecessary administrative complexity.

Applicability

Responsible Tourism & Hospitality Standard (RTHS) is intended for a broad range of accommodation providers, including hotels, resorts, boutique hotels, lodges, serviced accommodation, homestays and other eligible hospitality establishments.

The requirements are designed to be applicable across different geographical regions, taking into consideration local regulations, environmental conditions, cultural contexts, and operational characteristics.

How to use this framework

Criteria describe the outcome or practice expected from the property.
Indicators explain the minimum practical features an assessor should look for.
Examples of evidence are illustrative, not exhaustive. Equivalent reliable evidence may be accepted.
Applicability depends on the property’s facilities, location, services and legal obligations. Where a measure is not relevant, the reason should be recorded.
The property should be able to explain its practices in operation, a document alone does not necessarily demonstrate implementation.

Certification and Continuous Improvement

Conformity with the Responsible Tourism & Hospitality Standard (RTHS) is assessed through a defined certification process involving evaluation of applicable criteria, review of objective evidence, verification of operational practices, and certification decision-making.

Certification provides recognition of demonstrated conformity with the applicable requirements of the Standard at the time of assessment, subject to ongoing monitoring and continued compliance with the certification scheme rules.

The Standard encourages certified accommodation providers to establish improvement objectives, monitor their sustainability performance, and progressively strengthen their environmental and social practices.

Our Vision

To make sustainable hospitality practical, accessible, and achievable for accommodation providers worldwide, while encouraging meaningful environmental, social, and cultural responsibility.

Our Mission

To provide a credible and practical sustainability framework that empowers hotels and accommodation providers to adopt responsible practices, demonstrate measurable progress, and contribute positively to the destinations and communities in which they operate.

Criteria and Indicators for Hotels and Accommodation

RTHS criteria and expected practice, indicators, and examples of evidence for hotels and accommodation providers
Criterion and Expected Practice	Indicators	Examples of Evidence
1. RUNNING RESPONSIBLY How the property plans, manages and communicates its sustainability work.
1.1 A Clear Sustainability Promise: The property documents its commitment to responsible environmental, social and cultural practices in a way that reflects its size and operations.	A written statement identifies the property’s main sustainability commitments and is approved by an authorised manager.	Signed sustainability policy, employee briefing record, policy displayed on premises or website.
1.2. Legal Compliance: The accommodation provider complies with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.	Relevant licences, registrations and permits are maintained and valid.	Business registration, operating licence, fire safety documentation and other applicable statutory approvals.
1.3. Staff Awareness: Employees are aware of sustainability practices relevant to their work which includes environmental, social and cultural sustainability aspects	Employees receive basic sustainability orientation or periodic awareness sessions.	Training attendance records, induction material, briefing photographs or staff interviews.
1.4. Tell Guests What Matters: Guests are given clear, accurate information about relevant sustainability practices and ways they can participate.	Information on sustainability practices and responsible guest behaviour is available through at least one communication channel.	Website, QR code, guest directory, room signage, reception notice or digital communication.
2. ENERGY & CLIMATE Using energy thoughtfully and beginning to understand the property’s climate impact.
2.1. Use Energy Wisely: The property applies practical measures to avoid unnecessary energy use and improve equipment efficiency.	Energy-saving measure and equipment are in operation and are maintained.	LED lighting, efficient equipment, occupancy controls, air-conditioning settings, maintenance records, site observations.
2.2. Keep Track of Energy: The property monitors significant energy use so that unusual consumption and saving opportunities can be identified.	At least two energy-saving measures are implemented within the property.	Renewable energy proof, Utility bills, meter readings, fuel invoices, spreadsheet or logbook.
2.3. Make the Most of Natural Light: The property uses daylight in suitable indoor and outdoor areas to reduce reliance on artificial lighting, while maintaining guest comfort, privacy and thermal comfort.	Make reasonable use of natural light through the placement and arrangement of windows, glazed doors, skylights, courtyards or other suitable architectural features, where available and practicable.	Windows and skylights, daylight-accessible common areas, room layout, photographs
2.4. Understand Climate Impacts: The property identifies its main operational greenhouse gas emission sources and retains available electricity and fuel consumption records to support future reduction efforts.	At minimum, electricity and significant fuel use are identified, a simple estimate may be developed where suitable data and a recognised method are available.	Records, reduction data, documented calculation method.
3. WATER STEWARDSHIP Using water carefully and managing wastewater responsibly.
3.1. Reduce Unnecessary Use: The property takes practical steps to reduce avoidable water consumption and prevent losses.	Suitable measures are in place, and leaks or faults are acted on within a reasonable timeframe.	Low-flow fixtures, dual-flush systems, leak inspection records, rainwater harvesting, irrigation controls or photographs
3.2. Measure Water Use: The property monitors water consumption using the records or measurement methods available to it.	Water use is recorded at a regular interval where bills, meters or purchase records are available.	Water bills, meter photographs, water purchase records or monitoring sheet.
3.3. Give Guests a Choice on Linen: Where housekeeping arrangements allow, guests are offered a clear option to reuse towels and bed linen during longer stays.	The programme explains how guests can request a change and does not compromise hygiene or guest needs.	Guest communication cards, housekeeping SOP, room signage or staff interviews.
3.4. Manage Wastewater Properly: Wastewater is collected, treated and/or discharged through a system appropriate to the site and applicable requirement	The property can describe where wastewater goes and retains available evidence that the system is maintained and used properly.	Sewer connection evidence, STP records, septic system maintenance records, disposal agreements or applicable permits
4. WASTE & MATERIALS Preventing waste, reducing disposables and improving sorting and recovery.
4.1. Sort Waste at Source: The property separates waste into categories that support safe handling, reuse, recycling or appropriate disposal, in line with local arrangements.	Clearly identified collection points or procedures are used by relevant staff, hazardous or special waste is kept separate where applicable.	Photographs of labelled bins, waste collection records, housekeeping procedures or site observation, staff interview.
4.2. Avoid Unnecessary Disposables: The property reviews frequently used disposable items and replaces or reduces them where practical.	The property demonstrates meaningful reduction measures should be in place, such as refillable dispensers, reusable service ware or bulk purchasing, avoid or replace unnecessary single-use plastic items.	Refillable dispensers, reusable bottles, bulk amenities, purchasing records or photographs.
4.3. Process Food and Dry Waste Responsibly: The property ensures that food waste is composted on-site where feasible or transferred to an authorised waste collector or appropriate treatment facility. Dry waste is transferred to an authorised waste collector, recycler or recovery facility, as applicable.	The property demonstrates responsible processing or transfer of food waste and dry waste through at least one documented or observable practice for each applicable waste stream.	Composting records or photographs, waste collection receipts, vendor details or authorisation, where applicable, waste transfer records, recycling receipts or service agreements.
4.4. Keep Wastewater and Chemicals from Causing Harm Cleaning chemicals, oils and other potentially polluting substances are stored, handled and disposed of to reduce the risk of release to the environment.	Relevant substances are labelled or identifiable, stored safely and kept out of drains and natural areas unless their discharge is specifically permitted	Storage area observation, product labels or safety information, staff instructions, disposal records where applicable.
5. PEOPLE & FAIR WORK Supporting safe, respectful employment and positive relationships with local people.
5.1. Fair Terms of Employment Employment arrangements follow applicable labour requirements and are communicated clearly to employees.	Employees receive information about their role, working arrangements and pay, records are maintained as required by law.	Employment terms, sample payroll and attendance records, staff interviews, statutory records.
5.2. A Workplace Free from Abuse The property prohibits forced labour, child labour, harassment, bullying and unlawful discrimination.	Employees are informed how to raise concerns, and management has a process for responding to allegations confidentially and appropriately.	Code of conduct, HR policy, induction records, grievance procedure, staff interviews.
5.3. Health, Safety and Emergency Readiness The property identifies common workplace hazards and maintains safety arrangements appropriate to its operations.	Employees know relevant safety procedures, and essential equipment and emergency information are maintained.	Risk checks, first-aid supplies, fire equipment and inspection records, emergency contacts, training records, site observation.
5.4. Open Opportunities for Local Residents Where practical, the property considers qualified people from the surrounding area when recruiting.	The property can show local recruitment efforts or the local participation already present in its workforce.	Employee records showing local residence, recruitment notices, recruitment policy or management interviews.
6. LOCAL ROOTS & CULTURAL RESPECT Creating local value while respecting living cultures and heritage.
6.1 Source Locally Where Suitable The property considers local suppliers for suitable goods and services, taking account of quality, availability, price and legal requirements.	At least some suitable purchases are made locally, or the property records why local sourcing is not currently practical.	Supplier list, invoices, purchase records, sourcing procedure, management review.
6.2 Bring Local Identity into the Guest Experience Where appropriate, the property introduces guests to local food, crafts, products, artists or community-led experiences.	At least one local product, service or experience is offered, promoted or explained to guests where feasible.	Menus, local product displays, guest activity brochures, website information or photographs.
6.3 Contribute to the Community The property looks for appropriate ways to support community priorities or participate in local initiatives.	At least one activity, partnership or contribution is recorded over the year, where a suitable opportunity exists.	Collaboration letters, participation records, donation records, event photographs, activity summary.
6.4 Encourage Respectful Cultural Visits Guests receive suitable guidance on respectful behaviour when visiting cultural, religious or heritage places.	Relevant guidance is provided when the property promotes or arranges such visits.	Guest information, itinerary notes, guide briefing, QR page, website material.