JO Consulting, as a partner of Work Package 5 (WP5) of the fuTOURiSME project, is pleased to announce the publication of the materials developed within the framework of “Task 5.1 – Research and mapping of existing sustainability certifications and development of guidelines.”
What is fuTOURiSME
Co-funded by the European Union (EU) under the Single Market Programme, fuTOURiSME supports tourism SMEs in the post-pandemic era by accelerating the twin transition (digital and green) through practical tools, training, and coaching.
Table of contents
Task 5.1: what does it include?
The joint work carried out by partners from Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Greece, and Cyprus led to the publication of a set of informational materials dedicated to understanding sustainability certifications for tourism in Europe.
1. European research report
A European research report was developed, bringing together:
- over 80 sustainability certifications mapped across Europe;
- an analysis of key market trends;
- a comparison of environmental, social, and economic schemes;
- the methodological framework applied in the six partner countries.
The report provides a clear and structured overview designed to help tourism SMEs navigate existing regulations, standards, and tools.
2. National reports and certification factsheets
Each partner country produced national reports and certification factsheets, including:
- a national executive summary outlining the overall landscape of the most relevant certifications in the local context;
- detailed factsheets for each certification, describing:
- governance and involved stakeholders;
- scope of application (types of tourism facilities or services);
- performance indicators and requirements;
- audit requirements and verification processes;
- technological aspects and level of usability;
- alignment with European and international standards.
These factsheets allow SMEs to quickly and systematically compare the different options available.
3. Guidelines for tourism SMEs
In addition, a practical guide for tourism SMEs was developed with the aim of:
- helping businesses navigate existing sustainability certifications;
- supporting them in selecting the scheme best suited to their business model;
- integrating sustainable practices into daily operations;
- effectively communicating achieved results to customers and stakeholders.
The guidelines translate the complexity of certification schemes into operational recommendations tailored to those managing accommodation facilities, tourism services, and related activities on a daily basis.
Why sustainability certifications are strategic for SMEs
The work carried out under Task 5.1 highlights that sustainability certifications are not merely a “green label” but a strategic tool to strengthen the competitiveness of tourism businesses. In particular, certifications enable companies to:
- improve their environmental and social performance;
- reduce operational costs through more efficient resource management;
- align with emerging European requirements, such as the CSRD and the ESRS;
- increase visibility across tourism channels and booking platforms;
- build trust among travelers who are increasingly attentive to sustainability.
In a market where demand for responsible tourism experiences continues to grow, selecting and implementing the right certification can become a true competitive differentiator.
Next steps
The results of Task 5.1 represent a key building block in fuTOURiSME’s journey to support European tourism SMEs. Further developments within WP5 are planned for the coming months, including:
- the development of dedicated training modules and coaching sessions for SMEs;
- the creation of the fuTOURiSME Self-Assessment Tool (Task 5.3), a self-assessment instrument designed to measure sustainability performance and identify areas for improvement;
- the publication of the Sustainable Tourism Toolkit, a set of practical tools aimed at facilitating the adoption of sustainable practices.
These activities will be fully integrated with the materials produced under Task 5.1, in order to provide SMEs not only with knowledge, but also with concrete tools to support day-to-day business management.
fuTOURiSME confirmed as a key initiative
In today’s context, the tourism sector increasingly requires innovative and sustainable solutions such as fuTOURiSME. The project has proven to be a key initiative in supporting tourism SMEs across Europe, thanks to the availability of concrete, targeted resources.
All materials are available on the official fuTOURiSME website, in the section dedicated to SME support and sustainability certifications.
fuTOURiSME continues
fuTOURiSME will continue to support European tourism businesses on their path toward a more sustainable, digital, and competitive future, with JO Consulting standing alongside them on this journey.
Stay up to date by following the fuTOURiSME LinkedIn page or by subscribing to JO Consulting’s official Telegram channel: t.me/joconsulting_eu.
