Grow Your Hotel Business with Green Key Certification
Why Green Key Drives Growth for Hospitality — and How to Join the Club
Green Key certification is more than a green sticker: it’s proof your hotel meets leading sustainability benchmarks recognized by booking platforms, TMCs, and corporate buyers worldwide.
More than 8,000 hotels, resorts, campsites, and restaurants in over 90 countries are Green Key certified, meeting rigorous standards in water and energy savings, waste management, and guest engagement.
See official criteria.
Success story: from local hotel to front page of sustainable travel
When the “Enorme Ammos Beach” hotel group based in Crete, Greece, noticed more RFPs and OTAs asking for credible green credentials, management made a bold move: go all-in for Green Key. In less than a year, energy and water savings were documented down to the room, staff became sustainability ambassadors, and waste volumes dropped by more than 15%.
Booking.com, TUI Group, and business travel clients instantly recognized the Green Key label, opening up new international visibility and RFPs. Guest reviews started mentioning the “certified green” stay, fueling word-of-mouth marketing. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose by 8% in the first high season post-certification.
The key? Aligning daily operations to Green Key’s 70+ point checklist — from sensor-controlled taps to waste audits and sourcing policies. The hotel tapped into Green Key’s global network for training and marketing, and now sits proudly among the most trusted sustainable hotels worldwide.
What is Green Key — and who recognizes it?
- Leading international hotel ecolabel certified by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
- Audited annually; covers energy, water, waste, guest information, purchasing, food, and social responsibility.
- Recognized by global travel brands, tour operators, and a growing network of corporate buyers as a proof point — not just a claim.
- Criteria available for download: Green Key Certification Criteria
Why certify — and how does it boost business?
- Stand out in “green” filters on Booking.com, Expedia, TUI, and leading GDS/OTA platforms.
- Access RFPs from tour operators, TMCs and B2B clients with environmental screening policies.
- Attract eco‑conscious travelers who spend more and stay longer.
- Streamline staff training, reduce consumption costs, and build a positive team culture.
- Use Green Key’s marketing toolkit and map presence for global visibility.
Like other independent certifications, Green Key delivers business impact when you activate the badge: communicating sustainability clearly on web, in RFPs, and at the property.
How to get your Green Key — and go live:
- Download the official criteria for your category (hotel, hostel, restaurant, etc.).
- Gap analysis : document your current practices, identify missing or weak compliance points.
- Implement: update policy, engage staff, install controls (taps, bulbs, bins, etc.), and digitize processes for easier audits.
- Apply via your national Green Key operator. Prepare for documentation review and an annual on-site audit.
- Leverage your new certification in marketing, OTAs, rate negotiations, and guest relations.
For complete guidance and the map of certified hotels, see Green Key’s official website.
Real-world impact: numbers that convince
- Over 8,000 certified properties worldwide — with a majority reporting energy/water savings and improved booking results.
- Featured by TUI, Booking.com, and leading OTAs as a mark of trust for “sustainable property.”
- Hotels with Green Key increased direct bookings and scored higher in sustainability review sections.
Ready to unlock Green Key? Our ESG platform offers a Green Key–ready diagnostic and workflow—plus all support through annual audits.
