The Federation will promote Biosphere Certification in tourism sustainability, an internationally recognized scheme independently awarded by Biosphere Responsible Tourism as a third-party certification body.
The Federació Intercomarcal d’Hostaleria, Restauració i Turisme (FIHRT) and Biosphere Responsible Tourism (BRT) have signed a collaboration agreement to raise awareness of Biosphere Certification among accommodations, restaurants, and other tourism businesses within the Federation's area of activity. As an authorized commercial partner of Biosphere Responsible Tourism, FIHRT will inform interested businesses about the Scheme, its requirements, and the certification process. BRT, as a third-party certification body, will conduct the necessary assessments and make certification decisions independently, without the Federation's involvement.
The agreement builds on the work already being carried out by industry associations, trade organizations, and businesses in the sector. Industry associations and trade organizations have firsthand knowledge of the needs of establishments and help them integrate sustainability goals into their daily operations. Businesses, in turn, translate that commitment into concrete actions, such as reducing food waste, improving water and energy management, or incorporating locally sourced products. Documenting these actions makes it possible to measure their results and highlight the work carried out.
The Biosphere Scheme, owned by the Responsible Tourism Institute, organizes its requirements around the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and applies to businesses and destinations in different countries. Destinations such as Vancouver Island (Canada), Florianópolis (Brazil), Puerto Iguazú (Argentina), and the Historic Villages of Portugal hold a valid Biosphere Certification. The scope and validity period of each certificate can be consulted in the public directory of certifications issued by Biosphere Responsible Tourism. This allows travelers and tour operators to verify what has been assessed and whether the certification remains valid.
Directive (EU) 2024/825 strengthens consumer protection against misleading environmental claims. Under the new European framework, sustainability labels displayed to consumers must either have been established by a public authority or be based on a third-party certification system. In these systems, the entity that verifies whether a company meets the requirements is an external organization, independent of both the organization that established those requirements and the company being assessed. For the hospitality and tourism sectors, this makes it even more valuable to be able to support the practices communicated to customers with evidence.
Within this framework, collaboration with Biosphere Responsible Tourism as an external entity that independently conducts certification processes is part of FIHRT's strategy to promote sustainability and help businesses rigorously demonstrate their progress. The Federation will continue to raise awareness of both internationally recognized certifications and other local certifications and programs, taking into account the circumstances of each territory, the size of establishments, and the work they have already carried out, with the aim of helping each business find the approach that best suits its management practices and the communication of its progress.