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STEP
Rating System
STEP offers two levels of Eco-certification, "Self-Assessment Completed" and "Professionally Audited":
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Eco-certified - 5 Stars:
These Eco-certified tourism providers are industry leaders. They make sustainable development and environmental and socio-cultural issues their priority. They are striving to be environmentally innovative and socially responsible. They have a positive impact on the environment, local communities, and their clients. They will invest both time and money to maintain sustainable travel practices.
These Eco-certified tourism providers have had an on-site audit, which verified that they've received 90-100% of the available points.
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Eco-certified - 4 Stars: These Eco-certified tourism providers are highly environmentally and socio-culturally responsible. They are continuously working to better their operations and enhance their sustainable travel practices. The management is knowledgeable about environmental/social issues related to their business, and they are working to become industry leaders.
These Eco-certified tourism providers have had an on-site audit, which verified that they've received 75-89% of the available points.
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Eco-certified - 3 Stars:
These Eco-certified tourism providers are somewhat low-impact, and may consider environmental and social issues in their operational decisions and programming. They also may make choices based on environmental and social responsibility, but due to monetary, time, or efficiency issues, may forego their commitment to best practice ecological sustainability.
These Eco-certified tourism providers have had an on-site audit, which verified that they've received 40-74% of the available points.
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Eco-certified - 1 to 2 Stars: These Eco-certified tourism providers have completed a self-assessment and met a minimum set of core criteria, thereby demonstrating their commitment to sustainable tourism outcomes. However, since they have not received an on-site audit from a STEP-certified Assessor, the extent to which they have integrated sustainable business practices into their operations may be unknown.
Eco-certified tourism providers who provide the required impact data for less than 12 months receive 1 Star. Those who provide data for 12 months or more receive 2 Stars.
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STEP
Rating System
One to ten points are assigned to each criterion in the Self-Assessment questionnaire. Criterion and questions involving a more reactive approach, such as doing no harm or mitigating negative impacts, receive a lower point value.
Higher point values are assigned to criterion that are considered best practices, including those that encourage preventative and proactive actions toward supporting environmental conservation, protecting cultural heritage, and promoting cross-cultural understanding and economic development.
Best practices refer to specific measurable indicators that demonstrate how the company is achieving exemplary performance. Applicants must provide documentation, such as photographs and reports, in a separate attachment for any proposed best practices that they would like to submit.
Final ratings will be assigned to applicants based on the five star rating system detailed above.
Criterion that are Not Applicable
Applicants who opt to answer Not Applicable (N/a) for select questions will have to provide proof that N/a applies during the on-site audit process. Applicants who answer N/a for select questions will receive a final rating percentage score based only on the applicable items.
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.
Disclaimer
The Sustainable Eco-Certification Program™ (STEP), the STEP Logos, and the Sustainable Travel International™ (STI) logo are trademarks of Sustainable Travel International. No company or person shall use the marks in connection with a program or service or in any way that indicates the program or service is certified until written authorization is provided by STI. STI may pursue legal recourse if the mark is misused.
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