The global hospitality industry is taking another significant step towards more responsible travel. Barceló Hotel Group has achieved full certification across all its properties in Spain under the standards recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), marking an important development in the growing movement towards sustainable tourism.
The announcement, shared by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, highlights the increasing importance of independently verified sustainability practices within the hotel industry. It also demonstrates how established hospitality groups are moving beyond sustainability commitments and working towards measurable improvements in the way their businesses operate.
For travellers, the development raises an important question: what does it actually mean when a hotel achieves GSTC certification, and why should it matter when choosing where to stay?
What Is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)?
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is an international non-profit organisation responsible for establishing and managing global sustainability standards for the travel and tourism industry.
Its standards provide a framework for hotels, tour operators and destinations to adopt responsible practices that consider environmental protection, cultural preservation and the well-being of local communities.
Rather than focusing exclusively on environmental initiatives, GSTC takes a broader approach to sustainability. Its standards address four important areas:
- Sustainable management: How tourism businesses manage their operations, establish sustainability policies and monitor their overall impact.
- Socioeconomic impacts: How tourism contributes to local employment, economic opportunities and community development.
- Cultural impacts: How tourism businesses respect local traditions, protect cultural heritage and support the preservation of destinations.
- Environmental impacts: How businesses manage energy and water consumption, reduce waste, control pollution and protect biodiversity.
These areas help establish a more comprehensive understanding of what responsible tourism should look like in practice.
One important distinction is that GSTC does not directly certify hotels. Instead, it accredits independent certification bodies that assess tourism businesses against recognised sustainability standards. This third-party assessment helps provide greater credibility and transparency than relying solely on a hotel’s own sustainability claims.
For a closer look at how GSTC certification works and why it matters, read our guide: What Is the GSTC and Why It’s the Certification That Actually Matters?
Barceló Hotel Group: A Major Name in International Hospitality
Founded in Mallorca, Spain, in 1931, Barceló Group has developed into an established international tourism business with operations across multiple countries.
Its hotel division, Barceló Hotel Group, operates several hospitality brands, including:
- Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels & Resorts
- Barceló Hotels & Resorts
- Occidental Hotels & Resorts
- Allegro Hotels
The group has previously outlined its ambition to develop a more regenerative approach to tourism, focusing on the positive impact its hotels can have on the destinations where they operate.
This approach is reflected in its Barceló ReGen sustainability strategy, which aims to integrate responsible practices into hotel management, employee development and everyday operations.
Barceló’s sustainability journey has also involved collaboration with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Its internal Barceló ReGen Standards were recognised by GSTC as equivalent to the relevant GSTC standards, establishing a framework for the group’s wider sustainability ambitions.
What Makes Barceló’s Latest GSTC Achievement Significant?
The latest announcement from GSTC is particularly important because it represents the completion of a wider certification objective across Barceló’s properties in Spain.
Rather than limiting certification to a small selection of hotels, the group has achieved the milestone across its Spanish portfolio.
This is a meaningful development for several reasons.
1. Sustainability Is Becoming Part of Hotel Management
Sustainable hospitality requires more than introducing recycling bins or encouraging guests to reuse towels.
Hotels consume significant amounts of water and energy, generate waste and depend on local infrastructure, employees, suppliers and natural resources.
Achieving recognised sustainability certification requires hotels to consider how these activities are managed and how their operations affect the surrounding environment and communities.
Barceló’s achievement demonstrates the importance of embedding sustainability considerations into hotel management across an entire portfolio.
2. Independent Verification Builds Traveller Confidence
Travellers increasingly encounter hotels advertising themselves as green, environmentally friendly or sustainable.
However, these descriptions do not always provide enough information about what a property actually does to reduce its environmental and social impact.
Independent certification offers a more structured way to assess sustainability claims.
Through certification by a GSTC-accredited certification body, hotels undergo an external assessment against recognised requirements. This provides travellers with a more reliable reference point when evaluating accommodation options.
It also helps distinguish independently assessed sustainability performance from general marketing statements.
3. Local Communities Become Part of the Sustainability Conversation
Tourism should create value for the places people visit, not simply generate revenue for accommodation providers.
Responsible tourism considers the people who live and work in destinations, including local businesses, employees, artisans, suppliers and cultural organisations.
Supporting local economic development, respecting cultural heritage and creating opportunities for communities are important elements of sustainable tourism.
These considerations are particularly relevant in popular Spanish destinations where tourism plays a significant role in local economic activity.
4. Large Hotel Groups Can Influence Industry Standards
When a major hospitality group adopts sustainability standards across its properties, it demonstrates how sustainability initiatives can be implemented at scale.
It can also encourage other hotel operators to review their own practices, improve their environmental management systems and pursue independently recognised certification.
Barceló’s achievement therefore represents more than an individual corporate milestone. It contributes to the wider conversation about how the hospitality industry can become more accountable for its impact.
What Does This Mean for Sustainable Travel in Spain?
Spain is one of Europe’s most recognised tourism destinations, attracting visitors through its beaches, historic cities, cultural attractions, food and diverse landscapes.
Destinations such as Mallorca, Madrid, Barcelona, the Canary Islands and Andalusia offer different travel experiences, but they also face the challenge of balancing tourism growth with environmental protection and community well-being.
The expansion of independently certified accommodation options can help strengthen the country’s position in the sustainable tourism market.
For hotels, recognised certification provides a framework for improving operations and demonstrating their commitment to responsible hospitality.
For destinations, it supports a broader shift towards tourism that considers long-term environmental, cultural and economic outcomes.
For travellers, it creates additional opportunities to consider the impact of their accommodation choices.
Importantly, sustainable tourism is not about discouraging people from travelling. It is about making better decisions about how travel is organised, where visitors stay and how tourism benefits the places they experience.
How Can Travellers Identify More Sustainable Hotels?
With more accommodation providers highlighting their environmental commitments, knowing how to evaluate sustainability claims is becoming increasingly important.
Here are a few practical considerations when choosing a hotel.
Look for Recognised Sustainability Certification
Check whether a hotel has been independently certified by a GSTC-accredited certification body or holds certification under a GSTC-recognised standard.
Travellers can consult the GSTC Certified Hotels Directory to find properties listed as certified.
Consider Water and Energy Management
Hotels can have substantial water and energy requirements, particularly in destinations with limited natural resources.
Look for information about energy efficiency, renewable energy use, water conservation and responsible resource management.
Consider the Hotel’s Relationship With Its Community
Responsible accommodation providers should consider their relationship with local residents and businesses.
Supporting local suppliers, providing fair employment opportunities and respecting local culture are important aspects of sustainable hospitality.
Understand How the Hotel Manages Waste
Waste reduction, recycling, responsible purchasing and the reduction of single-use plastics can all contribute to more sustainable hotel operations.
These practices are worth considering when comparing accommodation options.
The Future of Hospitality Is Becoming More Sustainable
Barceló’s achievement reflects a wider transformation taking place across the global travel industry.
Sustainability is increasingly becoming part of how hotels define quality, manage their resources and build relationships with the destinations in which they operate.
The challenge ahead is ensuring that these commitments translate into consistent, measurable improvements rather than remaining limited to corporate sustainability statements.
Certification frameworks such as those managed by GSTC provide an important foundation for this progress by establishing recognised standards and encouraging independent assessment.
As more hospitality businesses pursue credible sustainability practices, travellers will have better opportunities to make informed accommodation choices.
Discover More Responsible Travel Opportunities With ThisWorldToBook
At ThisWorldToBook, we believe that travel should create memorable experiences while contributing positively to society, local economies and the environment.
Our approach to sustainable tourism is built around helping travellers discover accommodation options and travel experiences that consider their impact on the destinations they visit.
Whether you are planning a city break in Madrid, a coastal holiday in Mallorca or an exploration of Spain’s diverse landscapes, the accommodation you choose can form an important part of a more responsible journey.
Want to stay in independently certified sustainable hotels in Spain?
Find certified sustainable hotels on ThisWorldToBook →
Because the world is not disposable, and the way we travel matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GSTC certification?
GSTC certification refers to certification by an independent certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. It assesses whether a hotel or other eligible tourism business meets recognised sustainability requirements. Learn more in our complete guide to GSTC certification.
Has Barceló Hotel Group achieved GSTC certification across all its properties?
According to GSTC’s latest announcement, Barceló Hotel Group has achieved full certification across all its properties in Spain. This announcement should not be interpreted as certification of its entire international portfolio.
What is the Barceló ReGen sustainability strategy?
Barceló ReGen is the group’s sustainability framework, designed to integrate responsible tourism practices into its operations and increase its positive impact on the destinations where it operates.
Does GSTC directly certify hotels?
No. GSTC establishes and manages sustainability standards and accredits independent certification bodies. Those accredited bodies carry out the actual certification assessments.
Why is sustainable hotel certification important?
It gives travellers a more credible way to assess accommodation providers’ sustainability commitments. It also encourages hotels to improve environmental management, support local communities and protect cultural heritage.
How can I find GSTC-certified hotels?
Travellers can use the official GSTC Certified Hotels Directory to search for hotels and accommodation providers certified by GSTC-accredited certification bodies.