Green Key — The History of Green Key

The History of Green Key

2.1 The Origin of Green Key

Green Key originated as an initiative of the tourism sector to promote sustainability and responsible tourism. It was developed by the FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) in collaboration with various tourism organizations and governments around the world.

The idea of Green Key emerged in 1992 in Denmark when tourism organizations and governments realized that environmental management is essential for sustainable tourism development. After a successful testing period, Green Key was officially launched in 1994.

From the beginning, the aim of Green Key was to support the tourism sector in taking sustainable measures. To achieve this, an assessment system was established in which accommodations and organizations were evaluated based on their environmental management and social responsibility. The resulting sustainable certification was used to promote eco-friendly tourist destinations and enable tourists to make more sustainable choices.

Annually, Green Key is awarded to thousands of accommodations, attractions, tour operators, and conference centers in more than 60 countries. The success of Green Key is partly due to the continuous development of the assessment system and the expansion of the program to other sectors of tourism, such as campsites and marinas.

2.2 How It Has Evolved Into What It Is Today

Over the years, Green Key has further developed and expanded to different countries worldwide. The local and national Green Key organizations are connected to the international organization, which is responsible for maintaining and improving the criteria and standards for sustainable tourism.

Green Key has become a major certification in the tourism industry and is globally recognized. It is even included in the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria.

In the Netherlands, it is the largest sustainability label for the hospitality sector, with around 750 certified companies.

An important aspect of Green Key's development is the continuous improvement of criteria and standards. For example, in 2016, the criteria were revised to emphasize sustainable food production and consumption, water conservation, and climate change. These changes were made to keep Green Key aligned with global developments and challenges in sustainability.

Another important part of Green Key's development is the growing involvement of various stakeholders in the tourism industry. More and more organizations, including governments, NGOs, and businesses, encourage and support Green Key and sustainable tourism initiatives. This has led to increasing recognition and awareness of Green Key, making it an integral part of the tourism industry.

Furthermore, there is also a growing demand from the tourism industry in general. More tourists are seeking sustainable accommodation and activities, leading to a growing demand for Green Key locations. This has resulted in increased competition among businesses to obtain the certification, making Green Key an important tool for promoting sustainability in the tourism industry.

2.3 Key Milestones in the History of Green Key

Establishment of Green Key International (1994)
Green Key was founded in 1994 as a Dutch initiative by the KMVK Foundation (Foundation for Environmental Care for Art and Entertainment Companies). This initiative arose from the increasing need for sustainable solutions in the tourism and recreation industry. Green Key is now active in more than 60 countries.

Launch of the Green Key certification program (1996)
In 1996, Green Key launched the certification program for sustainable businesses in the tourism and recreation industry. This program sets criteria for sustainable operations and allows businesses to demonstrate that they meet these criteria and are committed to sustainability.

International Recognition by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (2012)
In 2012, Green Key was recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This means that Green Key's criteria meet internationally recognized principles for sustainable tourism, and businesses that meet these criteria can qualify for sustainable certification.

Partnership with Booking.com (2016)
In 2016, Green Key entered into a partnership with Booking.com. This allows sustainable accommodations certified by Green Key to be listed on the Booking.com website, enabling customers to search for these sustainable accommodations.

Expansion of criteria and themes (2020)
In 2020, Green Key expanded its criteria and themes. In addition to traditional topics such as water and energy conservation and waste management, new themes such as biodiversity and sustainable mobility were added. Green Key continues to evolve and innovate to stay up-to-date in a changing society.

These milestones have contributed to the growth and success of Green Key. Green Key remains a leading certification for sustainable businesses in the tourism and recreation industry and will continue to develop to make a significant contribution to sustainability in this sector.