GreenSign Certification: An Effective and Transparent Path to Credible Sustainability

Sustainability is more than a trend, and it is definitely here to stay. Sustainable and responsible management makes tourism businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and SPAs more resilient and enables them to compete even better in a dynamic marketplace. But paying lip service is not enough to win over customers and employees. You need to embed a sustainability strategy in your business, implement it, and obtain external certification.

__________________________

Personalized Support on the Road to Certification

Even though studies such as the recent marketing study by the Nuremberg Institute (NIM), which surveyed around 8,000 consumers and around 800 companies, repeatedly show that transparent certification can significantly increase the credibility of a company's sustainability efforts, there are still concerns, especially among small and medium-sized companies. They fear that a certification process will be extremely expensive, far too complicated, and very time-consuming. These concerns, some of which are valid, prevent many companies from taking the important step of officially recognizing their sustainability efforts. This is where GreenSign comes in, encouraging companies to make meaningful changes, commit to environmentally and socially responsible and sustainable business practices, embrace them with joy and conviction, and communicate them to the outside world.

Since 2015, the GreenSign Institute has been helping companies in the hospitality industry move toward sustainable business practices and certification of their status through a process that has been intentionally designed to be simple, comprehensible, and efficient. GreenSign is committed to making certification as straightforward and practical as possible, without sacrificing thoroughness or credibility. This is not only of benefit to the businesses themselves but also to consumers, guests, and interested parties, who will find the GreenSign certification easier to understand and more transparent.

GreenSign Hotel is now one of the most well-known and trusted tourism certifications in the DACH region and one of the leading and most established providers worldwide. It is recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and will retain its validity and credibility even after the implementation of the Green Claims Directive.

The Certification Process: Effective and Transparent

The GreenSign certification process is divided into three clear steps that allow hotels, restaurants, and SPAs to assess and improve their sustainability practices in a structured way, without unduly disrupting their regular business operations. In addition, GreenSign provides businesses with a trusted partner to guide them through the certification journey, offering advice and support throughout the process.

A GreenSign certification is valid for three years. During this time, it provides transparent documentation and verified sustainability, enabling authentic and verifiable communication of a company's commitment to sustainability. For recertification, the certification process must be completed again, with an increased level of compliance desired. This ensures that certified companies continuously maintain and improve their sustainability standards.

Behind the Scenes: The Certification Process from a Hotelier's Perspective

Feedback from hoteliers who have recently undergone GreenSign certification provides an authentic insight into the certification process. They consistently describe the process as both challenging and rewarding. Sophie Redder of RIMC Hotels & Resorts Group praises the user-friendly system and the professional support provided by the GreenSign team. At the same time, she emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the certification. 

Mathias Terpe, manager of the Hotel am Schwanenhaus, also found the process "very professional and supportive" and emphasized the aspect of employee involvement: "Involving our employees in the whole topic of sustainability, climate protection, and corporate responsibility will give us many competitive advantages and a positive process optimization in the hotel." Jasmin Ohlendorf, General Manager of the Renthof Kassel, even describes the audit as a unifying element for the entire team. They conducted the audit together with the GreenSign team and involved all the hotel's department heads. This brought the hotel departments even closer.

Jan von Schaper from DEKRA Congresshotel Wart sees the certification as a "milestone in the company's history". He also describes the certification as an incentive to constantly question and improve. "Over time, we have delved deeper and deeper into many topics," he summarizes. For Darlene Schwabroch of SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, the experience was "very inspiring" and she praises the meetings at eye level. She also emphasizes the thorough training of the auditors and says: "The last audit was attended by a trainee 'auditor-to-be' - this shows the commitment to training and preparing the auditors in the best possible way". Kay Wegener, Director of Sustainability at DSR Hotel Holding GmbH, summarizes his experience and that of many other hoteliers during the certification process as follows: 

Certification as Motivation

In summary, GreenSign certification offers hotels, restaurants, and SPAs a structured and effective way to assess, improve, and communicate their sustainability efforts. With a clear process, on-site validation, and a wide range of benefits, GreenSign helps them establish sustainability as an integral part of their business strategy. In a world where consumers, media, and business partners increasingly value sustainability, GreenSign certification positions companies as responsible and forward-thinking. It provides not only a competitive advantage but also an incentive to continue making a positive contribution to the environment and society.