Sustainable Tourism Education Program (STEP)

The Sustainable Tourism Education Program (STEP), offered by Sustainable Travel International, is a sustainability management and certification program built specifically for businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry. It provides a structured framework for measuring and improving performance across environmental, social, and economic dimensions — the triple bottom line — giving businesses a practical way to assess where they stand and identify areas for improvement.

STEP starts with an entry-level self-assessment tool that helps businesses understand their current sustainability practices and benchmark their performance. From there, businesses can pursue a globally recognized eco-certification, which requires independent third-party verification of their practices rather than self-reporting alone.

The program is suited for hospitality and tourism operators in markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico, and Malawi that want to move beyond good intentions and demonstrate measurable commitment to sustainability. It is designed to be both educational and practical, helping organizations build internal capacity while earning credentials that are credible to travelers and partners.