GSTC-Val Gardena

Val Gardena's commitment to sustainability has now been confirmed from 8^th March 2023 by the GSTC certification (Global Sustainable Tourism Council).

Val Gardena is a popular holiday destination in the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has now obtained a certificate, recognised all over the world, confirming its sustainable tourism efforts. This means it commits to applying the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is an organisation founded in 2007 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to promote sustainability and social responsibility in tourism. The certificate is awarded in Italy by Vireo, the only GSTC- accredited body in Italy. The audit is carried out based on specific methods, procedures and timeframes, which guarantees the entire system’s unbiased approach and trustworthiness. During the process, Vireo's auditors visited and talked with various institutions and companies to assess whether the required criteria were met.

Obtaining this certification is by no means a final result, rather the official start of a broader project that focuses on environmental protection, social responsibility, and hospitality for an increasingly sustainable tourism.

In addition to the criteria required by GSTC for tourist destinations, Val Gardena aims to reach tangible goals by 2026. These include creating a mobility centre which will develop projects for car-free and accessible connections; reducing traffic on mountain passes (Gardena Pass and Sella Pass), expanding bicycle paths on the mountain passes, increasing arrival on public transport, double e-charging stations, expanding renewable energy sources for businesses, reducing printed material and use of plastic.

Moreover, Val Gardena is working with the province of South Tyrol on the "Klimaland Südtirol" and the "KlimaPlan Energie – Südtirol 2050" initiatives to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve the Paris Agreement climate goals.