Sustainable destination/TourCert certification

The Münsterland region is on its way to becoming a "Sustainable Destination". The state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Union are providing 50% of the funding for the implementation of this project as part of the Nachhaltigkeitswerkstatt.NRW programme. Implementation is planned by the end of 2026.

The aim of the certification is to systematically develop sustainable structures in tourism and to permanently anchor ecological, economic and social aspects.

For the partners in the region, this process means clear quality standards, transparent criteria and a stronger focus on sustainable behaviour. Businesses, local authorities and tourism stakeholders are actively involved, receive professional support and benefit in the long term from the sustainable positioning of the Münsterland as a responsible travel destination.

A central element of certification is the establishment of a partner network. This network can include businesses that are already certified and committed to sustainability - including tourist information centres, accommodation providers, catering establishments and excursion destinations - as well as businesses that would like to be introduced to the topic of sustainability via a low-threshold approach.

The aim of the partner network is to continuously develop and establish the topic of sustainability in the region. Sustainability is a permanent task that can be implemented more effectively in a regional network.

Already certified businesses

If the business already has a recognised certification/award in the field of the environment or sustainability, it will be recognised as a partner business(list of recognised certifications/awards).

Only the partner agreement with Münsterland e.V. needs to be signed and submitted:

Download partner agreement

nachhaltigkeit Nicht zertifizierte Betriebe

Non-certified businesses

If the business does not yet have a recognised certification/award in the area of the environment or sustainability(list of recognised certifications/awards), it has the option of completing a sustainability qualification (TourCert Qualified) free of charge.

TourCert Qualified is not a certification, but a low-threshold introduction to the topic of sustainability on the basis of a self-assessment (self-check). The self-check enables a structured assessment of the current sustainability status in your own organisation. There are no minimum criteria to fulfil and no on-site inspection takes place. In addition to the online self-check, three specific measures are defined that are to be implemented in the business in future.

Interested in the TourCert Qualified self-check?

Send an email enquiry to clev@muensterland.com to receive the participation link. The time required to complete the process is around one to two hours. Once the self-check has been completed, the partner agreement with Münsterland e. V. can be signed.

Download partner agreement

Partner Sustainable destination

Through the destination certification of Münsterland e.V. (planned for the end of December 2026/beginning of January 2027), businesses from the region have the opportunity to become partners with the "Sustainable Destination" seal for the duration of the destination certification (initially three years) and thus demonstrate their efforts in the area of sustainability.

Advantages of the partnership in the "Sustainable Destination" network

Destination certification gives partners the following advantages:

Free sustainability qualification for businesses without certification/labelling
Strengthening of positioning on the national and international market
Fulfilment of the growing expectations of guests for sustainable offers
Receipt of certificates (TourCert Qualified, Partner Sustainable Destination) for advertising purposes
Discounted online training courses from TourCert GmbH
Inclusion in the TourCert community
Presentation as a partner business on the Münsterland e.V. website in the area of sustainability
Cooperation in the partner network to strengthen sustainable partnerships
Exchange of knowledge and experience
Increased visibility, credibility and competitiveness through a joint presence