{"id":1906,"date":"2026-03-10T13:48:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T13:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/certification-as-a-learning-path\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T13:37:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T13:37:17","slug":"certification-as-a-learning-path","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/certification-as-a-learning-path\/","title":{"rendered":"Certification as a learning path"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Your Lodging Ready for the Future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"mxgraph\" style=\"max-width:100%;border:1px solid transparent;\" data-mxgraph=\"{\" highlight=\"\" layers=\"\" tags=\"\" host=\"\\\" drawio.kdrive.infomaniak.com=\"\" modified=\"\\\" agent=\"\\\" mozilla=\"\" nt=\"\" win64=\"\" x64=\"\" applewebkit=\"\" like=\"\" gecko=\"\" chrome=\"\" ascdesktopeditor=\"\" safari=\"\" version=\"\\\" etag=\"\\\" type=\"\\\" embed=\"\">\\n  <diagram id=\"\\\" name=\"\\\" page-1=\"\">\\n  <mxgraphmodel dx=\"\\\" dy=\"\\\" grid=\"\\\" gridsize=\"\\\" guides=\"\\\" tooltips=\"\\\" connect=\"\\\" arrows=\"\\\" fold=\"\\\" page=\"\\\" pagescale=\"\\\" pagewidth=\"\\\" pageheight=\"\\\" math=\"\\\" shadow=\"\\\">\\n  <root>\\n  <mxcell id=\"\\\"><\/mxcell>\\n  <mxcell id=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\"><\/mxcell>\\n  <mxcell id=\"\\\" value=\"\\\" style=\"\\\" edgestyle=\"orthogonalEdgeStyle;rounded=0;orthogonalLoop=1;jettySize=auto;html=1;\\\"\"\" edge=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\" source=\"\\\" target=\"\\\">\\ <mxgeometry relative=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"><\/mxgeometry> <\/mxcell>\\n  <mxcell id=\"\\\" value=\"\\\" style=\"\\\" edgestyle=\"orthogonalEdgeStyle;rounded=0;orthogonalLoop=1;jettySize=auto;html=1;\\\"\"\" edge=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\" source=\"\\\" target=\"\\\">\\ <mxgeometry relative=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"><\/mxgeometry> <\/mxcell>\\n  <userobject label=\"\\\" what=\"\" past=\"\" het=\"\" best=\"\" id=\"\\\">\\ <mxcell style=\"\\\" rhombus=\"\" vertex=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\"> <mxgeometry x=\"\\\" y=\"\\\" width=\"\\\" height=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"><\/mxgeometry><\/mxcell> <\/userobject>\\n  <mxcell id=\"\\\" style=\"\\\" edgestyle=\"orthogonalEdgeStyle;rounded=0;orthogonalLoop=1;jettySize=auto;html=1;exitX=0.5;exitY=1;exitDx=0;exitDy=0;entryX=0;entryY=0.5;entryDx=0;entryDy=0;\\\"\"\" edge=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\" source=\"\\\" target=\"\\\">\\ <mxgeometry relative=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"><\/mxgeometry> <\/mxcell>\\n  <userobject label=\"\\\" green-key=\"\" linktarget=\"\\\" _blank=\"\" id=\"\\\">\\ <mxcell style=\"\\\" whitespace=\"wrap;html=1;aspect=fixed;gradientColor=#699153;\\\"\"\" vertex=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\"> <mxgeometry x=\"\\\" y=\"\\\" width=\"\\\" height=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"><\/mxgeometry><\/mxcell> <\/userobject>\\n  <mxcell id=\"\\\" style=\"\\\" edgestyle=\"orthogonalEdgeStyle;rounded=0;orthogonalLoop=1;jettySize=auto;html=1;entryX=1;entryY=0.5;entryDx=0;entryDy=0;exitX=0.5;exitY=1;exitDx=0;exitDy=0;\\\"\"\" edge=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\" source=\"\\\" target=\"\\\">\\ <mxgeometry relative=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"> <mxpoint x=\"\\\" y=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" sourcepoint=\"\"><\/mxpoint><\/mxgeometry> <\/mxcell>\\n  <mxcell id=\"\\\" value=\"\\EU\" ecolabel=\"\" style=\"\\\" whitespace=\"wrap;html=1;aspect=fixed;gradientColor=#699153;\\\"\"\" vertex=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\">\\ <mxgeometry x=\"\\\" y=\"\\\" width=\"\\\" height=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"><\/mxgeometry> <\/mxcell>\\n  <mxcell id=\"\\\" value=\"\\\" what=\"\" na=\"\" het=\"\" behalen=\"\" van=\"\" een=\"\" label=\"\" style=\"\\\" rounded=\"0;whiteSpace=wrap;html=1;gradientColor=#78A65F;gradientDirection=north;\\\"\"\" vertex=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\">\\ <mxgeometry x=\"\\\" y=\"\\\" width=\"\\\" height=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"><\/mxgeometry> <\/mxcell>\\n  <mxcell id=\"\\\" value=\"\\\" style=\"\\\" edgestyle=\"orthogonalEdgeStyle;rounded=0;orthogonalLoop=1;jettySize=auto;html=1;\\\"\"\" edge=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\" source=\"\\\" target=\"\\\">\\ <mxgeometry relative=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"><\/mxgeometry> <\/mxcell>\\n  <userobject label=\"\\Is\" een=\"\" voor=\"\" mij=\"\" link=\"\\\" https:=\"\" id=\"\\\">\\ <mxcell style=\"\\\" rhombus=\"\" vertex=\"\\\" parent=\"\\\"> <mxgeometry x=\"\\\" y=\"\\\" width=\"\\\" height=\"\\\" as=\"\\\" geometry=\"\"><\/mxgeometry><\/mxcell> <\/userobject>\\n  <\/root>\\n  <\/mxgraphmodel>\\n  <\/diagram>\\}&#8221;<\/div>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/viewer.diagrams.net\/js\/viewer-static.min.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why choose a label?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, achieving sustainability certification is more than a &#8220;check mark&#8221; on a list; it is an essential part of modern business operations.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Legislative Framework:<\/strong> The European Union bans &#8216;greenwashing&#8217; through the <a href=\"https:\/\/energy.ec.europa.eu\/news\/new-eu-rules-empower-consumers-green-transition-enter-force-2024-03-27_nl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive<\/em>. <\/a>Terms such as &#8220;eco,&#8221; &#8220;green&#8221; or &#8220;environmentally friendly&#8221; may not be used without proof starting in March 2026. A verified label (such as ISO Type 1) is the best way to back up your claims. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What do customers want?<\/strong> A large proportion of travelers, such as <em>Active Greens<\/em> (17%) and <em>Convenient Greens<\/em> (37%), actively seek sustainable options. As many as 42% of travelers indicate that clearer eco-labels would help them live more sustainably on vacation. (from PXL research, see also <a href=\"https:\/\/duurzaamondernemenlogies.be\/#home_icons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>)  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Business benefit:<\/strong> Labels can lead to more bookings (some hotels report a 15% increase) and provide access to additional promotional channels, such as platforms that support <strong>eco-check<\/strong> payments. In addition, the process helps you save on energy and water consumption. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are the options?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different types of labels exist, ranging from broad certifications to specific tools.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>ISO Type I Labels (Independent Verification):<\/strong> These are the most reliable labels where an outside party verifies your operation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.green-key.be\/over-green-key\/wat-is-green-key\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Green Key<\/a>:<\/strong> The most complete label for the tourism industry, focusing on environmental, climate and social aspects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecolabel.be\/nl\/op-vakantie-met-het-eu-ecolabel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EU Ecolabel<\/a>:<\/strong> A European recognized label that focuses primarily on environmental impact and is highly recognizable by the general public.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sustonica.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sustonica<\/a>:<\/strong> Developed specifically for vacation rentals with a focus on a simple digital process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>B-Corp:<\/strong> A global certification for companies that strive for high standards of social and environmental performance. This is not specific to lodging but very comprehensive.  Usually implemented by larger companies.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tools (not labels):<\/strong> Tools such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mvovlaanderen.be\/nl\/sustatool\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Sustatool<\/strong> <\/a>help you self-evaluate your business without direct certification. That doesn&#8217;t help you move forward in the context of anti-greenwashing, though.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How do you get started?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process toward certification need not be complicated, but it does require an authentic approach.<\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Take the test:<\/strong> Start with a free <a href=\"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/green-key-quick-test\/\"><strong>sustainability quick test<\/strong> <\/a>to see where you currently stand: do you still need to make a lot of investments, will you get there by mainly adapting your processes or do you just need to communicate about what you do? The quick test has an initial insight.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choose your label:<\/strong> See which label best suits your type of lodging and budget. Costs vary widely depending on the size of your operation. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check subsidies:<\/strong> Several provinces (such as West Flanders and Flemish Brabant) currently have <strong>grants<\/strong> available for audit fees or annual contributions from Green Key, for example.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital audit:<\/strong> Most labels work with a digital file followed by an on-site or remote (sometimes external) audit<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>From checklist to an authentic story<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember that a label is a means, not an end goal. The modern guest does not want a chilly checklist, but an <strong>honest and authentic story<\/strong> about the efforts you make. It&#8217;s about improving step by step and contributing to a &#8220;Journey to Tomorrow,&#8221; where tourism is a means for your entire environment to flourish.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your Lodging Ready for the Future? \\n \\n \\n \\n \\n \\n \\ \\n \\ \\n \\ \\n \\ \\n \\ \\n \\ \\n \\ \\n \\ \\n \\ \\n \\ \\n \\n \\n \\}&#8221; Why choose a label? Today, achieving sustainability certification is more than a &#8220;check mark&#8221; on a list; it is an &#8230; <a title=\"Certification as a learning path\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/certification-as-a-learning-path\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Certification as a learning path\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1906","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1906","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1906"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1906\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1977,"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1906\/revisions\/1977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fairhospitality.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1906"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}