Many tour operators have been incorporating ecologically and culturally sustainable principles into their offerings for years. However, there has been no measurable and consistent way to promote or choose a responsible provider. In fact, many destructive tour operators have labeled themselves as eco-friendly to attract travelers.

To address this issue, certification programs have been emerging across the tourism industry. But questions about these programs remain. Are they generated from within the tourism industry itself, or from outside forces such as consultants or societies that will eventually profit from the programs? Do certification programs account for small operators and/or operators in developing nations that may not be able to afford certification fees? And can programs adequately measure the cultural impact of tourism?

According to Ron Mader from Planeta.com, there is “more disagreement than consensus when it comes to certifications.” Programs employ inconsistent standards, making it difficult to discern which are the most comprehensive. Also, while some tour operators have found greater promotional success with eco-certifications, just as many are finding a general lack of consumer demand, keeping many providers from participating.

While there is potential for certification programs to gain wide acceptance–according to Sustainable Travel International, over 58 million Americans “say they would pay more to use travel companies that strive to protect and preserve the environment”–at this point, certification programs appear to still be in the early stages of development and acceptance.

Two organizations are currently the leaders in providing worldwide eco-certifications:

Green Globe 21: Green Globe has close to 200 certified businesses around the world. Pricing ranges from $150 per year for an affiliate membership to thousands of dollars per year for benchmarking and certification services, and is dependent upon the size of the organization. The program benchmarks both social and environmental impact.

Sustainable Travel International STEP Program: STI is working in partnership with NSF International, a nonprofit organization that focuses on standards development and product certification for public health and safety. STI provides two levels of certification, self-assessed and professionally audited, and uses a one- to five-star rating system. Fees are based on company size, and start at $150, climbing to over $2,000 (plus expenses for onsite audit). Financial support is provided for smaller organizations.