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) 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.

Approach to Sustainability

The Responsible Tourism & Hospitality Standard (RTHS) is based on four fundamental pillars:

Sustainable Management: Encouraging responsible management, legal compliance, employee awareness, guest communication, and continuous improvement.
Environmental Responsibility: Promoting energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, responsible resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions awareness, and biodiversity protection.
Social and Community Responsibility: Supporting fair employment, employee health and safety, local economic participation, community engagement, and protection against exploitation.
Cultural Heritage and Local Identity: Encouraging respect for local traditions, promotion of cultural heritage, and responsible interactions with host communities.

The Standard adopts a progressive approach to sustainability, recognising that accommodation providers may be at different stages of implementation. It promotes continual improvement while maintaining essential requirements relating to legal compliance, environmental protection, human rights, and responsible business conduct.

Applicability

The 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.

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

The table below outlines the criteria, indicators, and examples of acceptable evidence for each area of the Standard.

RTHS criteria, indicators, and acceptable evidence for hotels and accommodation providers
Criteria	Indicators	Acceptable evidence
Section A. Sustainable Management
A1. Sustainability Policy: The accommodation provider has a documented commitment to sustainable operations.	A basic sustainability policy covering environmental and social responsibility is established and communicated to employees.	Signed sustainability policy, employee briefing record, policy displayed on premises or website.
A2. 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.
A3. Sustainability Responsibility: Responsibility for implementing sustainability practices is assigned.	At least one employee or management representative is responsible for coordinating sustainability activities.	Appointment email, job description, organisational chart, or management interview.
A4. Staff Awareness: Employees are aware of sustainability practices relevant to their work.	Employees receive basic sustainability orientation or periodic awareness sessions.	Training attendance records, induction material, briefing photographs, or staff interviews.
A5. Guest Communication: Guests are informed about the accommodation provider's sustainability initiatives.	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.
A6. Continuous Improvement: The accommodation provider demonstrates ongoing improvement in sustainability performance.	At least two sustainability improvement actions are identified annually, with responsibility and target dates assigned.	Simple annual action plan, management meeting notes, photographs, or progress records.
Section B. Environmental Responsibility
B1. Energy Monitoring: Energy consumption is monitored to identify opportunities for improvement.	Electricity and other significant energy consumption are recorded at least monthly, where records are available.	Electricity bills, fuel purchase records, meter readings, or a simple Excel monitoring sheet.
B2. Energy Efficiency: Practical measures are implemented to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.	At least two energy-saving measures are implemented within the property.	LED lighting, efficient equipment, occupancy sensors, key-card controls, preventive maintenance records, or photographs.
B3. Renewable Energy: The accommodation provider considers opportunities to use renewable or cleaner energy.	At least one renewable-energy opportunity has been evaluated or implemented.	Solar installation photographs, renewable electricity contract, feasibility assessment, or documented management review.
B4. Water Monitoring: Water consumption is monitored where practical.	Water consumption is recorded using bills, meter readings, or reasonable estimates, with the method documented.	Water bills, meter photographs, water purchase records, or monitoring sheet.
B5. Water Conservation: Measures are implemented to reduce unnecessary water consumption.	At least two water-saving practices are implemented.	Low-flow fixtures, dual-flush systems, leak inspection records, rainwater harvesting, irrigation controls, or photographs.
B6. Linen and Towel Reuse: Guests are encouraged to participate in water and energy conservation.	Guests are offered an optional towel and linen reuse programme, where applicable.	Guest communication cards, housekeeping SOP, room signage, or staff interviews.
B7. Waste Segregation: Waste is segregated to facilitate appropriate disposal and recovery.	Waste is separated into appropriate categories, such as wet, dry, and hazardous waste, according to local requirements.	Photographs of labelled bins, waste collection records, housekeeping procedures, or site observation.
B8. Single-Use Plastic Reduction: The accommodation provider takes practical steps to reduce unnecessary single-use plastics.	Unnecessary single-use plastic items are avoided or replaced.	Refillable dispensers, reusable bottles, bulk amenities, purchasing records, or photographs.
B9. Wastewater Management: Wastewater is managed in a manner that minimises environmental pollution.	Wastewater is discharged, treated, or disposed of through an appropriate system in accordance with applicable regulations.	Sewer connection evidence, STP records, septic system maintenance records, disposal agreements, or applicable permits.
B10. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The accommodation provider takes initial steps to understand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.	Major sources of operational emissions are identified, and available electricity and fuel consumption data are retained.	Electricity bills, fuel records, simple emissions worksheet, or documented emissions-source list.
B11. Biodiversity and Wildlife Protection: Operations avoid unnecessary harm to biodiversity, wildlife, and natural habitats.	Landscaping uses native plants where appropriate. The property implements basic measures to prevent wildlife disturbance, habitat damage, and inappropriate interactions with wild animals.	Guest wildlife guidelines, landscaping records, photographs, staff interviews, or wildlife-related operating instructions.
Section C. Social and Community Responsibility
C1. Fair Employment: Employees are treated fairly and employed in accordance with applicable labour requirements.	Employment conditions, wages, and working arrangements comply with applicable legal requirements.	Employment agreements, sample payroll records, attendance records, or staff interviews.
C2. Prevention of Exploitation: The accommodation provider prohibits child labour, forced labour, harassment, and exploitation.	Basic rules prohibiting exploitation, discrimination, and harassment are communicated to employees.	Employee code of conduct, HR policy, induction records, statutory compliance evidence, or staff interviews.
C3. Employee Health and Safety: Basic measures are implemented to protect employee health and safety.	Employees receive relevant workplace safety instructions, and essential safety arrangements are maintained.	Fire safety equipment, first-aid kits, emergency contacts, safety briefing records, or site observation.
C4. Local Employment: Employment opportunities are provided to local communities wherever practical.	The accommodation provider employs local residents or demonstrates efforts to recruit locally.	Employee records showing local residence, recruitment notices, recruitment policy, or management interviews.
C5. Local Procurement: Locally produced goods and services are purchased wherever reasonably available.	Goods or services are sourced locally, where suitable suppliers are available.	Local supplier invoices, vendor lists, purchase orders, or procurement records.
C6. Local Products and Experiences: The accommodation provider supports local economic opportunities through guest offerings.	Local products, cuisine, crafts, or community-based experiences are offered or promoted to guests.	Menus, local product displays, guest activity brochures, website information, or photographs.
C7. Community Support: The accommodation provider contributes positively to the local community.	At least one community-support activity or initiative is undertaken or supported annually.	Community event photographs, participation records, donation records, collaboration letters, or activity summaries.
C8. Feedback and Grievances: Employees and guests have access to a channel for raising concerns.	At least one accessible feedback or complaint mechanism is available, and complaints are appropriately addressed.	Complaint register, feedback forms, grievance email address, noticeboard, or documented responses.
Section D. Cultural Heritage and Local Identity
D1. Respect for Local Culture: The accommodation provider respects the traditions, customs, and cultural identity of the destination.	Employees and guests are encouraged to respect local customs and traditions.	Staff briefing material, guest guidelines, website information, or interviews.
D2. Promotion of Local Culture: Local cultural heritage is promoted through appropriate guest experiences or services.	Elements of local culture, such as cuisine, art, crafts, or traditional activities, are incorporated into or promoted through guest services.	Menus, cultural activity photographs, local artwork, supplier records, or promotional material.
D3. Responsible Cultural Visits: Guests are encouraged to behave responsibly when visiting cultural and heritage sites.	Information on respectful behaviour at local cultural or heritage sites is made available where relevant.	Guest information booklet, QR code, tour briefing material, website, or itinerary.
D4. Cultural Heritage Protection: Business operations avoid damage to cultural and historical heritage.	The accommodation provider does not knowingly participate in activities that damage cultural heritage or involve the unlawful sale or removal of cultural artefacts.	Supplier guidelines, cultural heritage policy, guest instructions, management declaration, or interviews.