Administration Details

STEP Logo Usage
Pursuant to a license agreement with STI, all applicants who fulfill the essential criteria for sustainability through the STEP process are required to use and display the appropriate STEP logo, including expiration date, in their printed and on-line marketing materials. Logos displayed on-line must be hyper-linked the STEP Ratings web description which provides information to consumers on what the logos mean.

Period of Validity
"Self-Assessment Completed" and "Professionally Audited" Eco-certification levels are valid for two years from the date of issuance. Thereafter, new applications with the appropriate fees must be submitted 30 days before the expiration of the two-year period.

Tourism providers interested in renewing their Eco-certified status will be required to complete the 4-STEP process again. In addition, applications must introduce any significant changes to the scale and / or nature of the tourism provider's operations that may affect compliance with STEP principles.

One-year Report
STI wishes to credit "Professionally Audited" tourism providers for their successes in their first year of being Eco-certified. "Professionally Audited" tourism providers who are interested in upgrading their Eco-certification rating are required to provide a one-year report introducing any significant changes to the scale and / or nature of their operations that may improve or affect their rating. This report will be reviewed and evaluated by the Evaluation Committee and may require a new on-site audit.

As part of this process, the applicant agrees to inform its clients of any improvements to its products and / or services that have been inspired by its involvement in STEP.

Monitoring
STEP is initially based on a voluntary self-assessment process as described under STEP: A 4-Step Process. Throughout the two-year Eco-Certification period, both internal and external monitoring, are undertaken by STI to help ensure continued compliance with STEP principles.

The utilization of professional references and direct feedback from clients, resource area managers, local communities, and service providers comprise the monitoring component. STI will review, evaluate and score this feedback to help ensure compliance to STEP principles.

To help facilitate this process, aplicants are required to incorporate the STEP client / employee feedback questionnaire into their existing evaluation systems and use this questionnaire to self-monitor their sustainable travel practices and policies, the results of which must be reported to STI annually.

Withdrawl for Non-compliance
If a tourism provider appears to be in non-compliance with STEP principles, at STI's sole discretion, through the monitoring, assessment, and audit processes, or if it fails to assist STI in such processes, a written warning will be issued. The tourism provider shall then be required to supply proof of compliance with STEP principles or assist STI in the monitoring, assessment and audit process, as applicable, within seven (7) days of receiving STI's written warning.

If the tourism provider fails to do so, at STI's sole discretion, the tourism provider's Eco-Certified status will be immediately withdrawn. Upon the withdrawal of their status, the tourism provider must cease to market their products and / or services as Eco-Certified, remove any STEP logos from all marketing materials including those promoted by third parties, notify all relevant government agencies and other key stakeholders, and comply with all post-removal obligations.

Appeals Process
If a tourism provider's application for Eco-Certification is denied or if Eco-Certification is withdrawn, then the tourism provider may appeal this decision to STI within seven (7) days. STI's Evaluation Committee will then evaluate the appeal.

If STI's Evaluation Committee finds that a tourism provider is still in non-compliance with core criteria, the tourism provider in question does not have the right to appeal the final decision. However, if a tourism provider submits a new application(s) within 60 days of Eco-Certification withdrawal or denial, only one-half of the applicable Application fees will be due. If the new application is submitted after 60 days, the full fee is due.

Continuous Improvement
The Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program™ (STEP) is designed to assist tourism providers in continuously improving their operating standards. The criteria contained in STEP are reviewed on an on-going basis to reflect improved industry performance and standards. New and evolving criteria will be put into place as travel and travel providers continuously improve their standards and technological advances are made. All suggestions and comments for improving STEP are taken into consideration.

CONTACT US!

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL
P.O. BOX 1313 BOULDER COLORADO 8030

PHONE 800-276-7764

info@SustainableTravelInternational.org

BUSINESS HOURS: 8am–5pm MST