The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that Alberk QA Technic has gained the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body status with the scope of certifying hotels/accommodations to GSTC Hotel Criteria.
Alberk QA Technic states in its mission that beyond providing certification, inspection, training, testing, and calibration services, it upholds impartiality principles, ensuring its services remain reliable and continuously improve based on client feedback through effective audits.
Achieving the GSTC-Accredited status means that a Certification Body has been verified to be conducting proper certification of businesses, such as hotels or tour operators, in a competent and neutral manner, following processes and procedures detailed in the GSTC Accreditation Manual. Some of the requirements in the GSTC Accreditation Manual include: Legislation; Transparent and impartial certification procedure; Competent personnel capable of conformity assessment in the sustainable tourism field; Compliance with the ‘ISO/IEC 17065:2012 Conformity Assessment Requirements for Bodies Certifying Products, Processes, and Services’; and more.
Businesses certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, meeting all the GSTC Criteria (or a GSTC-Recognized Standard), have the highest level of assurance* and credibility available. With an accredited certification, customers and buyers are assured that the business was certified in a credibly verified procedure in a transparent, impartial, and competent manner.
Certification by an Accredited Certification Body can be referred to as “accredited certification”.
Attesting to that, those businesses certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body can display a unique GSTC logo with a traceable code. The purpose of the GSTC Accreditation is to provide a higher level of assurance and reward genuine practitioners of sustainable tourism, which builds confidence and credibility with consumers.
“The role of accreditation in the hospitality and tourism industry needs to be elevated,” states GSTC CEO, Randy Durband. “Most eco/green/sustainable labels lack external review, making their rigor and impartiality unclear. The GSTC Accreditation Manual and process serve as the most credible and perhaps the only structured assessment of sustainability labels in the industry.”
Latif Murat Yılmaz, CEO of Alberk QA Technic, shared his thoughts on this achievement: “Being GSTC-Accredited is a testament to our dedication to upholding the highest standards in sustainable tourism and environmental responsibility. This milestone reflects our relentless efforts to drive positive change in the industry and support businesses in their sustainability journey. We take great pride in being part of this global initiative and will continue to set the benchmark for excellence in certification services.”
The GSTC Accreditation Manual for Certification of Hotel/Accommodation & Tour Operator provides detailed technical requirements for certification of Hotel/Accommodation and Tour Operator. Certification Bodies are required to comply with ISO 17065 Conformity Assessment (Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services) and GSTC specific requirements. Among these requirements are impartial and competent certification procedures, auditor experience and qualifications, certification decision making, rigorous surveillance of certified businesses, and proper promotion of their services.
Hotels that follow sustainability standards that wish to stand out with reputable certification as a sustainable hotel, should seek sustainable hotel certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
Tour Operators that want to demonstrate through their adherence to sustainability standards are encouraged to seek sustainable tour operator certification by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
Destinations that are managed in accordance with sustainability standards can aim for destination certification by one of the GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.
About Alberk QA Technic
Alberk QA Technic’s journey began in 2004, however, the expertise of our founders in the field of quality spans well beyond this timeframe. Alberk QA Technic was established by Latif Murat YILMAZ and Ayşen YILMAZ, who, through their vast experience, have positioned the company as a trusted leader in quality management, steadily advancing along a path of sustained growth and success.
The company quickly earned a reputation for its integrity, professionalism, and impartial approach, becoming one of the most reputable organizations in its sector.
Alberk QA Technic offers a broad range of national and international accreditation services through its reliable corporate structure. Our services include Quality System Certification, CE Product Certification, Personnel Certification, Inspection, Testing Laboratory Services, Sustainable Tourism and GSTC Auditing Services, Country Contracts, Loading Inspections, and Training services. With these, we aim to enhance the prestige and credibility of your products, services, brand, and company on both national and global scales.
Alberk QA Technic has become a leading entity specializing in certification, inspection, and auditing services, with a focused commitment to sustainability and quality assurance. The company’s expertise spans across environmental, energy, and tourism sectors, and its primary objective is to support businesses in aligning with international standards and adopting responsible practices. Through its commitment to excellence, Alberk QA Technic aids organizations in their sustainability journeys and ensures adherence to the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility. Our certification programs are globally recognized, making Alberk QA Technic a trusted partner for organizations seeking to enhance their performance and build credibility in the marketplace.
For more information visit: https://www.qatechnic.com/en-us/about-us/
About the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are four sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, Industry Criteria for Hotels and Tour Operators, MICE Criteria for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions, and Attraction Criteria for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services, but provides accreditation to those that do.
GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. The GSTC is an ISEAL Community Member, a global membership organization for ambitious, collaborative, and transparent sustainability systems.
Information for media and the press: www.gstcouncil.org/about/for-the-press/
*Note of General assurance levels:
3rd-party certification by an Accredited Certification Body (impartiality is certain)
3rd-party verification (impartiality is not certain)
2nd-party verification (not impartial)
1st-party self-assessment
No verification at all
