{"id":536,"date":"2026-02-20T02:51:44","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T02:51:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/rtsoi\/?page_id=536"},"modified":"2026-04-01T09:17:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T09:17:54","slug":"certification-programs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/certification-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Certification Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"536\" class=\"elementor elementor-536\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c865b21 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c865b21\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee2439f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ee2439f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f167f9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f167f9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Certification Programs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19512fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"19512fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\n    \n    u {\n    text-underline-offset: 7px;\n}\n\n<\/style>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0047105 e-con-full cert-overlay-section e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0047105\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"rtsoi-certification-section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abbb376 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"abbb376\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">RTSOI CERTIFICATION<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d0fb6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"0d0fb6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n    .section-audit-tools {\r\n        padding: 60px 20px;\r\n        text-align: center;\r\n        background: transparent;\r\n        font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .audit-container {\r\n        max-width: 900px;\r\n        margin: 0 auto;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \r\n    .audit-tabs-main {\r\n        display: flex;\r\n        justify-content: center;\r\n        align-items: stretch;\r\n        \r\n        margin-bottom: 0;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \r\n    .audit-subtab-area {\r\n        display: flex;\r\n        justify-content: center;\r\n        \r\n        margin-bottom: 50px;\r\n        margin-top: 20px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \r\n    .audit-btn {\r\n        background: none;\r\n        border: none;\r\n        padding: 18px 30px;\r\n        font-size: 15px;\r\n        font-weight: 600;\r\n        cursor: pointer;\r\n        color: #333;\r\n        transition: 0.3s;\r\n        letter-spacing: 1px;\r\n        text-transform: uppercase;\r\n        flex: 1;\r\n        max-width: 350px;\r\n        border-bottom: 1px solid #000;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \r\n    .audit-btn.active {\r\n        background: #1a1a1a !important;\r\n        color: #fff !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \r\n    .audit-download-link {\r\n        display: inline-block;\r\n        font-size: 28px;\r\n        color: #5f4742;\r\n        text-decoration: none;\r\n        border-bottom: 2px solid #5f4742;\r\n        text-transform: uppercase;\r\n        font-family: 'Abel', sans-serif;\r\n        font-weight: 700;\r\n        letter-spacing: 1px;\r\n        padding-bottom: 5px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/* Mobile Responsive *\/\r\n    @media (max-width: 768px) {\r\n        .audit-tabs-main { flex-direction: column; border-bottom: none; }\r\n        .audit-btn { width: 100%; max-width: none; border: 1px solid #ddd; }\r\n        .audit-subtab-area { border-bottom: none; }\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"section-audit-tools\">\r\n    <div class=\"audit-container\">\r\n        \r\n        <div class=\"audit-tabs-main\">\r\n            <button class=\"audit-btn active\" data-audit=\"accommodation\">ACCOMMODATION PROVIDERS<\/button>\r\n            <button class=\"audit-btn\" data-audit=\"travel\">TRAVEL SERVICE PROVIDERS<\/button>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"audit-subtab-area\">\r\n            <button class=\"audit-btn\" data-audit=\"destination\">DESTINATION CERTIFICATION<\/button>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"action-area\">\r\n            <a href=\"#\" class=\"audit-download-link\" id=\"auditDownloadBtn\" target=\"_blank\">VIEW \/ DOWNLOAD<\/a>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n    const auditLinks = {\r\n        accommodation: \"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/wp_rtsoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTSOI-Sustainability-Self-Audit-Tools-For-Accommodation-Providers-27-07-1.pdf\",\r\n        travel: \"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/wp_rtsoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/RTSOI-Sustainability-Self-Audit-Tools-For-Travel-Service-Provider-27-07.pdf\",\r\n        destination: \"#\" \r\n    };\r\n\r\n    const allBtns = document.querySelectorAll('.audit-btn');\r\n    const downloadBtn = document.getElementById('auditDownloadBtn');\r\n\r\n    \r\n    downloadBtn.href = auditLinks.accommodation;\r\n\r\n    allBtns.forEach(btn => {\r\n        btn.addEventListener('click', function() {\r\n            \r\n            allBtns.forEach(b => b.classList.remove('active'));\r\n            \r\n            \r\n            this.classList.add('active');\r\n\r\n            \r\n            const type = this.getAttribute('data-audit');\r\n            if(auditLinks[type]) {\r\n                downloadBtn.href = auditLinks[type];\r\n            }\r\n        });\r\n    });\r\n<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6708231 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6708231\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f08a180 e-con-full .cert-overlay-section e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f08a180\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b62171d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b62171d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">SUSTAINABLE TOURISM <br> CRITERIA<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc45eba elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"cc45eba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\n    .section-stci-criteria {\n        padding: 60px 20px;\n        text-align: center;\n        font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\n    }\n\n    .stci-container {\n        max-width: 1000px;\n        margin: 0 auto;\n    }\n\n    .stci-heading {\n        font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 5vw, 3rem);\n        font-weight: 800;\n        text-transform: uppercase;\n        margin-bottom: 40px;\n    }\n\n    .stci-tabs-wrapper {\n        \n        display: flex;\n        justify-content: center;\n        margin-bottom: 40px;\n        flex-wrap: wrap;\n    }\n\n    .stci-btn {\n        padding: 15px 25px;\n        cursor: pointer;\n        border: none;\n        background: none;\n        font-size: 15px;\n        font-weight: 600;\n        color: #555;\n        text-transform: uppercase;\n        border-bottom: 1px solid #000;\n    }\n\n    .stci-btn.active {\n        background-color: #1a1a1a;\n        color: white;\n    }\n\n    .stci-download-link {\n        font-size: 28px;\n        color: #5f4742;\n        text-decoration: none;\n        border-bottom: 2px solid #7a6356;\n        text-transform: uppercase;\n            font-family: 'Abel', sans-serif;\n            font-weight: 700 !important;\n    }\n<\/style>\n\n<section class=\"section-stci-criteria\">\n    <div class=\"stci-container\">\n        \n        <div class=\"stci-tabs-wrapper\">\n            <button class=\"stci-btn\" onclick=\"handleStciTab(this, 'link1')\">The STCI<\/button>\n            <button class=\"stci-btn active\" onclick=\"handleStciTab(this, 'link2')\">STCI for Tour Operators<\/button>\n            <button class=\"stci-btn\" onclick=\"handleStciTab(this, 'link3')\">STCI for Accomodation Sector<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <div>\n            <a href=\"#\" id=\"stciDownloadBtn\" class=\"stci-download-link\" target=\"_blank\">View \/ Download<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<script>\n    const stciLinksData = {\n        'link1': 'https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/wp_rtsoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/STCI-standard-brief.pdf',\n        'link2': 'https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/wp_rtsoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/STCI-standard-for-Tour-Operator.pdf',\n        'link3': 'https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/wp_rtsoi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/STCI-standard-for-Accomodation-Sector.pdf'\n    };\n\n    function handleStciTab(element, key) {\n        \n        const parent = element.parentElement;\n        parent.querySelectorAll('.stci-btn').forEach(btn => btn.classList.remove('active'));\n        element.classList.add('active');\n\n        \n        document.getElementById('stciDownloadBtn').href = stciLinksData[key];\n    }\n<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ece2da6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ece2da6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72b42af elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"72b42af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">PROCESSES<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13d1447 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"13d1447\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n<div id=\"stci-custom-tabs\">\r\n    <div class=\"stci-main-wrapper\">\r\n        <div class=\"stci-tab-header\">\r\n            <button class=\"stci-tab-btn active\" onclick=\"openStciTab(event, 'stci-process')\">Standard Development Process<\/button>\r\n            <button class=\"stci-tab-btn\" onclick=\"openStciTab(event, 'stci-pilot')\">Pilot Testing<\/button>\r\n            <button class=\"stci-tab-btn\" onclick=\"openStciTab(event, 'stci-cert')\">Certification Process<\/button>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <div id=\"stci-process\" class=\"stci-tab-content active\">\r\n            <ul class=\"stci-list\">\r\n                <li><strong>01 - Drafting STCI<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>02 - Stakeholder Consultation<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>03 - Pilot Testing of draft STCI principle<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>04 - Developing scheme related documents<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>05 - Revising draft STCI principle & criteria based on pilot testing reports<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>06 - Certification against revised STCI principle & criteria<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>07 - Promotional activities<\/strong> \u2013 Training, capacity building, workshops<\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>08 - First Revision after 3rd Year<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n            <div class=\"stci-footer-details\">Standard Development Process Details<\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <div id=\"stci-pilot\" class=\"stci-tab-content\">\r\n            <ul class=\"stci-list\">\r\n                <li><strong>01 - Site Selection and initial liasioing<\/strong><\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>02 - Document review and information collection<\/strong><\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>03 - Site visit<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>04 - Assessment against STCI indicators<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>05 - Gap identification, if any<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>06 - Report generation and submission to ESOI<\/strong> <\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n            <div class=\"stci-footer-details pilot-footer-text\">\r\n                A pilot test is a study, for testing a draft standard prior to the finalization and execution of the STCI standard. The benefits of this exercise are to gain better understanding of the applicability and impacts of the STCI standards at an early stage of the development and before final execution to ensure that standards requirements are fine-tuned, if required, for better execution. <br><br>\r\n                The objectives of pilot testing are:<br><br>\r\n                1. To undertake a possible practical test of the STCI standard on the Tourism Industry (Accommodation sector and Tour Operators).<br>\r\n                2. To gain feedback from tourism business on the practical applicability of the STCI standard.<br>\r\n                3. To receive recommendations to address identified issues during the process. <br><br>\r\n                <strong>Document review and Information collection:<\/strong> The team of assessors will be in contact with key personnel to obtain management planning and other pertinent documents to the operations \u2013 back and front house, F&B, engineering operations, customer feedback etc. The team of assessors will schedule the time and place for the initial meeting.<br><br>\r\n                <strong>Site Visit:<\/strong> It would include witnessing ongoing operations of the selected industry: Tour Operator\/ Accommodation- which includes visiting front and back of the house, witnessing types of room and services, property management system, observing compliance with national regulations, interview with the support staff (engineers, ground keepers, HR, sales and marketing managers etc.), communities involved, locals etc. <br><br> \r\n                <strong>Report generation:<\/strong> The assessors will submit a draft report containing findings and a criterion-by-criterion discussion of the observed preparedness of the defined tourism industry \u2013 Tour Operator\/ Accommodation relative to the applicable standard within three weeks of the completion of the field visit.<br><br>\r\n                Tourism businesses are highly recommended to refer the STCI standard for their industry (Accommodations and Tour operators) to understand the requirements and possible verifiers that pilot testing team can ask for during the site visit. <br><br>\r\n                FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE CONTACT: <br>\r\n                <strong>Dr. Anjuna Dhir<br>\r\n                Executive Director<br>\r\n                Responsible Tourism Society of India<br><\/strong>\r\n                <a href=\"mailto:anjunadhir@rtsoi.org\">anjunadhir@rtsoi.org<\/a><br>\r\n                T: +91- 9811031980\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <div id=\"stci-cert\" class=\"stci-tab-content\">\r\n            <ul class=\"stci-list\">\r\n                <li><strong>01 - Application Process - <\/strong> Application submission & Screening, Review<\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>02 - Audit Preparedness - <\/strong> Sharing of guidance documents on compliance, Existing case studies of standard implementation<\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>03 - Desk Review - <\/strong> Collection of baseline information, Assessment on desk review of documents<\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>04 - On-site Audit - <\/strong>On site visit by trained auditors<\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>05 - Report - <\/strong> Details results of evaluations - Listing of shortcomings and \u201cNon-Conformities\u201d<\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>06 - Certification Decision - <\/strong> Issuance, Rejection<\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>07 - Surveillance Audit - <\/strong>Annual assessment of implementation of standard<\/li>\r\n                <li><strong>08 - Re-Certification - <\/strong> Re-audit after completion of 3 years<\/li>\r\n            <\/ul>\r\n            <div class=\"stci-footer-details\"> Certification Process Details<\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs {\r\n        font-family: 'Abel', sans-serif;\r\n        width: 700px;\r\n    }\r\n    \r\n    @media (max-width: 1024px) {\r\n        #stci-custom-tabs {\r\n            width: 100%;\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs .stci-main-wrapper {\r\n        width: 100%;\r\n        background: white;\r\n        padding: 20px;\r\n        box-sizing: border-box;\r\n        min-height: 450px; \r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs .stci-tab-header {\r\n        border: 1px solid #333;\r\n        border-radius: 8px;\r\n        padding: 15px;\r\n        display: flex;\r\n        justify-content: center;\r\n        align-items: center;\r\n        margin-bottom: 30px;\r\n        flex-wrap: wrap;\r\n        gap: 10px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs .stci-tab-btn {\r\n        background: none;\r\n        border: none;\r\n        padding: 10px 20px;\r\n        font-size: 17px;\r\n        font-family: 'Nunito Sans', sans-serif;\r\n        cursor: pointer;\r\n        color: #555;\r\n        border-radius: 4px;\r\n        transition: 0.3s;\r\n        box-shadow: none !important; \r\n        flex: 0 1 45%; \r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \r\n    #stci-custom-tabs .stci-tab-btn:nth-child(3) {\r\n        flex: 0 1 70%; \r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs .stci-tab-btn.active {\r\n        background-color: #333 !important;\r\n        color: white !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs .stci-tab-content {\r\n        display: none;\r\n        margin-top: 10px;\r\n        animation: fadeIn 0.4s;\r\n        width: 100%;\r\n        box-sizing: border-box;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs .stci-tab-content.active {\r\n        display: block;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs ul.stci-list {\r\n        list-style: none !important;\r\n        padding: 0 !important;\r\n        margin: 0 !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \r\n    #stci-custom-tabs ul.stci-list li {\r\n        margin-bottom: 12px !important; \r\n        font-size: 20px;\r\n        color: #000;\r\n        display: flex;\r\n        align-items: flex-start; \r\n        border: none !important; \r\n        line-height: 1.4;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs ul.stci-list li::before {\r\n        content: \"\u2022\";\r\n        margin-right: 12px;\r\n        font-size: 22px;\r\n        color: #333;\r\n        line-height: 1;\r\n        flex-shrink: 0; \r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-custom-tabs .stci-footer-details {\r\n        margin-top: 25px;\r\n        border-top: 1px dashed #333;\r\n        border-bottom: 1px dashed #333;\r\n        padding: 15px 0;\r\n        font-weight: 500;\r\n        text-align: left;\r\n        font-size: 20px;\r\n        color: #555;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    #stci-pilot .pilot-footer-text {\r\n        font-size: 17px; \r\n        line-height: 1.6;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    @keyframes fadeIn {\r\n        from { opacity: 0; }\r\n        to { opacity: 1; }\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    @media (max-width: 768px) {\r\n        #stci-custom-tabs .stci-tab-btn {\r\n            flex: 1 1 100%;\r\n        }\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n    function openStciTab(evt, tabName) {\r\n        var i, tabcontent, tablinks;\r\n        tabcontent = document.querySelectorAll(\"#stci-custom-tabs .stci-tab-content\");\r\n        for (i = 0; i < tabcontent.length; i++) {\r\n            tabcontent[i].style.display = \"none\";\r\n        }\r\n        tablinks = document.querySelectorAll(\"#stci-custom-tabs .stci-tab-btn\");\r\n        for (i = 0; i < tablinks.length; i++) {\r\n            tablinks[i].classList.remove(\"active\");\r\n        }\r\n        document.getElementById(tabName).style.display = \"block\";\r\n        evt.currentTarget.classList.add(\"active\");\r\n    }\r\n<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc10833 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cc10833\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2e2e47 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e2e2e47\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0486a20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0486a20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Benefits of STCI to the Tourism Industry<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f68600 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1f68600\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Benefits<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4562512 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4562512\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">+ Tourism Industry (Hotels\/Accommodation and Tour Operators) undergoing pilot testing will gain early experience in the implementation of STCI scheme. <br>\n+ An early access to use of the Logos and mark of sustainability for marketing activities. <br>\n+ Industry can assist STCI standard development committee to better adapt standards to their respective industry\u2019s systems, needs and management practices.<br>\n+ If any Tourism business can comply with the more than 75% requirements of the STCI standard, it may result in issue of the provisional- certificate permitting use of scheme logo for promotional activities. However, note that certificate issuance will be subject to approval from the standard development committee and no major change in the criteria and indicators. <br>\n+ It ensures improved industry\u2019s environmental, social, and economic performance \u2013 by protecting and safeguarding the environment, respecting local culture and communities and managing tourism operations as per sustainability management plan. <br>\n+ It provides various tangible and intangible benefits to: Businesses (business reputation, brand value etc.), consumers, governments, environment and local communities. <br>\n+ It helps to distinguish genuine claims and check \u201cgreenwashing\u201d. <br>\n+ Certification provides tourists with environmentally and socially responsible choices while increasing public awareness about responsible business practices. <br>\n+ Certified businesses tend to offer better quality service.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c16ff6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7c16ff6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"792\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Certification-Programs-img-792x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-551\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Certification-Programs-img-792x1024.webp 792w, https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Certification-Programs-img-232x300.webp 232w, https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Certification-Programs-img-768x993.webp 768w, https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Certification-Programs-img.webp 1067w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9637fd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a9637fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1274619 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1274619\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5831910 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5831910\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db72987 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"db72987\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/spices-herbs-cups-colorful-seasonings-wallpaper-1-1024x512.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-165\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/spices-herbs-cups-colorful-seasonings-wallpaper-1-1024x512.webp 1024w, https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/spices-herbs-cups-colorful-seasonings-wallpaper-1-300x150.webp 300w, https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/spices-herbs-cups-colorful-seasonings-wallpaper-1-768x384.webp 768w, https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/spices-herbs-cups-colorful-seasonings-wallpaper-1-1536x768.webp 1536w, https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/spices-herbs-cups-colorful-seasonings-wallpaper-1-2048x1024.webp 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdb2351 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fdb2351\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb4ae46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb4ae46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Contact Our Team<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5386796 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"5386796\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">    \n    <style>\n        u { text-underline-offset: 7px; }\n        .rt-form input, .rt-form textarea {\n            width: 80% !important;\n            padding: 12px 18px !important;\n            margin-bottom: 18px;\n            border: none;\n            border-radius: 10px !important;\n            background: #ffffff !important;\n            font-size: 16px !important;\n            color: #333;\n            outline: none;\n        }\n        .rt-form textarea { border-radius: 18px; resize: none; }\n        .rt-form input::placeholder, .rt-form textarea::placeholder { color: #b5b5b5; }\n        .rt-btn {\n            background: #303030 !important;\n            color: #f6f6f6;\n            padding: 10px 34px 15px;\n            border: none;\n            font-size: 16px !important;\n            letter-spacing: 1px;\n            cursor: pointer;\n            margin-top: 20px !important;\n            display: inline-flex;\n            align-items: center;\n            gap: 10px;\n            transition: all 0.3s ease;\n        }\n        .rt-btn:hover { background: #000; }\n        @media screen and (max-width: 768px) { .rt-form input, .rt-form textarea { width: 100% !important; } }\n    <\/style>\n\n    <div class=\"rt-form-wrapper\">\n        <form class=\"rt-form\" id=\"rt-custom-contact-form\">\n            <input type=\"text\" name=\"user_name\" placeholder=\"Name*\" required>\n            <input type=\"email\" name=\"user_email\" placeholder=\"Email*\" required>\n            <input type=\"tel\" name=\"user_phone\" placeholder=\"Phone number*\" required>\n            <textarea name=\"user_message\" rows=\"5\" placeholder=\"Your Message for Responsible Tourism\"><\/textarea>\n            <button type=\"submit\" class=\"rt-btn home-page-form-submit\">\n                SEND MESSAGE <span>\u2192<\/span>\n            <\/button>\n            <div id=\"form-response\" style=\"margin-top:15px; font-weight: bold;\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <script>\n(function() {\n    const initForm = function() {\n        const form = document.getElementById('rt-custom-contact-form');\n        const responseDiv = document.getElementById('form-response');\n\n        if(!form) return;\n\n        form.onsubmit = function(e) {\n            e.preventDefault(); \n            \n            const formData = new FormData(form);\n            formData.append('action', 'send_user_confirmation_mail'); \n\n            responseDiv.style.color = \"#333\";\n            responseDiv.innerHTML = \"Processing...\";\n\n            fetch('https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php', {\n                method: 'POST',\n                body: formData\n            })\n            .then(res => res.json())\n            .then(data => {\n                if(data.success) {\n                    responseDiv.style.color = \"green\";\n                    responseDiv.innerHTML = \"Success! Message sent.\";\n                    form.reset();\n                } else {\n                    responseDiv.style.color = \"red\";\n                    responseDiv.innerHTML = \"Error: \" + data.data;\n                }\n            })\n            .catch(err => {\n                console.error(err);\n                responseDiv.style.color = \"red\";\n                responseDiv.innerHTML = \"Connection Error.\";\n            });\n            \n            return false;\n        };\n    };\n\n    if (document.readyState === \"complete\" || document.readyState === \"interactive\") {\n        initForm();\n    } else {\n        document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', initForm);\n    }\n})();\n<\/script>\n\n    <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Certification Programs RTSOI CERTIFICATION ACCOMMODATION PROVIDERS TRAVEL SERVICE PROVIDERS DESTINATION CERTIFICATION VIEW \/ DOWNLOAD SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CRITERIA The STCI STCI for Tour Operators STCI for Accomodation Sector View \/ Download PROCESSES Standard Development Process Pilot Testing Certification Process 01 &#8211; Drafting STCI 02 &#8211; Stakeholder Consultation 03 &#8211; Pilot Testing of draft STCI principle 04 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-536","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=536"}],"version-history":[{"count":175,"href":"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1412,"href":"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/536\/revisions\/1412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rtsoi.org\/public_html_bckp_wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}