Businesses — STEP Rates
“Completing the STEP program was an intensive process and very worthwhile for us. It walked us through the steps necessary to evaluate where we are today and what we could and should be doing in the future. Environmental, socio-cultural and economic responsibility is important to us and our guests, and STEP is a great tool for us to guarantee our ongoing commitment to sustainability. The STI staff involved were very knowledgeable and helpful.”
—Britta Diettrich, General Manager, HI-Portland, Northwest Hostel
STEP Fee Structure
Sustainable Travel International is committed to offering the best value on Eco-certification available in the marketplace. Our non-profit status, holistic approach, and benefits package make STEP the most cost efficient and attractive Eco-certification program available.
STI's STEP Fee Structure is detailed below. Please note that volume discounts, advisory services, and training workshops are available for companies with multiple subsidiaries or properties, and to destinations that want to have several businesses become Eco-certified.
Step 1 - Access Sustainability Management.
Our annual license fees are based on the size of your business. Fees start at US$250/year and include a Planning & Reporting Guidebook, policy templates, benchmarking tables, and enrollment in our Partnership Program. The fee also includes annual monitoring for Eco-certified businesses who must demonstrate continued adherence to STEP.
| Employees | Annual Fee |
| 1 – 20 employees | US$250 |
| 21 – 50 employees | US$500 |
| 50+ employees | US$750 |
Step 2 - Apply for STEP.
The one-time Application fee is based on the size of your business. Fees start at US$250 and include application submission, review and evaluation of Required Policies and Documentation (P&D), processing fees, and Eco-certification logo licensing. To maintain Eco-certification, annual license renewals and submission of annual reports for monitoring are required.
| Employees | Application Fee |
| 1 – 20 employees | US$250 |
| 21 – 50 employees | US$500 |
| 50+ employees | US$750 |
Please note that failure to follow the directions for Application submission may result in a delay in processing and or a surcharge of US$75 an hour.
Step 3 - Assess Your Operations.
Once your Application has been approved (Step 2), you can schedule an on-site assessment with a STEP-Accredited Assessor. Fees range from US$400-$1000/day. These fees exclude travel expenses and include the Assessor’s time to prepare for the assessments and submit a final report.
| Employees | Daily Assessment Rate | Daily Travel Rate (Estimate) |
| 1 – 20 employees | US$400-$600 | US$400 |
| 21 – 50 employees | US$600-$800 | US$500 |
| 50+ employees | US$800-$1000 | US$600 |
The length of time required to complete an assessment varies greatly according to the size and scope of the applicant's operations, the level of Eco-certification desired, and how prepared and organized the applicant is with supporting documentation and evidence.
In general, depending on the business’ size and level of preparedness, applications submitted for 2 to 3 Stars typically require 3 to 4 days to assess, and applications submitted for 4 to 5 stars require 4 to 6 days to assess.
Applicants who schedule an on-site assessment agree to provide reasonable access through either free of charge or at-cost entry for STEP Accredited Auditors to evaluate their products and or services.
Additional Considerations
STEP fees are non-refundable, are reviewed annually, and are subject to change. Failure to follow the directions for Application submission outlined in How to Apply may result in a delay in processing and a surcharge of US$150.
Eco-certification is valid for 3 years.
Annual monitoring and renewal fees are necessary to maintain active status. At the end of the 3-year certification period, businesses must re-apply and are encouraged to pursue a higher rating.
For more information
For additional information on STEP fees, to schedule an assessment, or to determine the availability of assessors in your region, contact us.
