Hévíz and Sárvár are the first in Hungary to receive the Green Destinations international sustainable tourism certification
Following preparation under the CROSSDEST project, the two destinations received international certification. Out of the more than 80 criteria to be met, the I-DEST platform and its e-learning module supported nearly 30 of them. The achievement not only provides international recognition but also outlines specific development directions for Hévíz and Sárvár.
The Green Destinations Standard is based on international requirements for sustainable destination management and is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). In the Green Destinations Award system, destinations are assessed across six main areas: including destination management, nature and landscape, environment and climate, culture and traditions, social well-being, and tourism businesses and communication.
The certification process went far beyond compiling documentation. After a preliminary self-assessment and professional review, an independent auditor visited both towns to examine documents and sites, as well as to consult with representatives from tourism, local government, nature conservation, culture, and other local sectors. In Sárvár, for example, the Tourinform office, the Nádasdy Cultural Centre, the Sárvár Spa and Wellness Bath, a hotel, and the arboretum were all part of the on-site audit programme. The use of I-DEST played a crucial role in both cases: the internal monitoring platform, the sustainability self-assessment module for service providers, as well as the platform filtered by SDGs and the wide-ranging opportunities for Sustainability Reporting, all contributed to meeting the criteria. Additionally, the I-DEST e-learning platform significantly supported the scoring process, particularly in shaping the sustainability mindset of businesses.
Nature conservation received the highest score in Hévíz
Hévíz achieved the Bronze Award level with an overall score of 6.8. In the audit, the town scored its highest result of 8.8 in the nature and landscape category, while it received 8.3 points in the culture and traditions category.
The expert evaluation highlighted the system for protecting species, habitats, and ecosystems, the collaboration between national and local stakeholders, and the monitoring of nature conservation. Strong results were also achieved in the area of cultural heritage, while the auditor noted that sustainability is becoming increasingly prominent in tourism development within destination management.
The evaluation also recognised initiatives supporting the local economy and more sustainable tourism services. Under the CROSSDEST project, tourism businesses in Hévíz and surrounding settlements are being supported in preparing to achieve the Good Travel Seal certification for service providers. The auditor considered this a good starting point and encouraged the programme's long-term continuation and expansion to include a broader range of businesses.
Culture and traditions preservation received the highest score in Sárvár
Sárvár achieved the Bronze Award level with an overall score of 6.7. It scored 9.2 points in the culture and traditions category, which stood out among the six evaluated areas, while it received 8.1 points in the nature and landscape category.
The auditor particularly praised the system for protecting cultural heritage and the way local cultural institutions, associations, and civil organisations collaborate to keep traditions alive. The audit cited traditional events as examples and noted how these involve the local population and young people. In the area of nature conservation, the evaluation highlighted the protection of species and habitats, as well as the close collaboration between national and local nature conservation stakeholders.
In recent years, Sárvár has consciously started integrating sustainability into tourism development: in 2025, it adopted a sustainable destination management strategy and a visitor management plan.
The CROSSDEST project has also delivered tangible results in this area: ten tourism businesses in Sárvár are being prepared to achieve the Good Travel Seal certification. According to the auditor, the business development and awareness-raising efforts initiated by the project represent a positive direction; the next task is to ensure its long-term sustainability and involve additional local service providers.
A first in Hungary – aligning with global trends
One of the key features of the Green Destinations Award is that it does not only assess achievements already made. The audit also identifies areas where further development is needed, providing a professional roadmap for the future. In the Green Destinations system, the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Award levels indicate different degrees of compliance with the standard and serve as milestones on the path to full Green Destinations Certification.
For Hévíz and Sárvár, the audit identified tasks such as further strengthening measurable sustainability goals and regular monitoring, involving a wider range of local stakeholders, and making sustainability achievements more visible in communications. In Sárvár, for example, the auditor's summary emphasised that while many positive initiatives are already in place, the measurement and documentation of their outcomes need further development.
International recognition also opens up new opportunities from a communications perspective. Destinations receiving the Award are included in Green Destinations' international communications and network, gain visibility on the organisation's platforms showcasing sustainable destinations, and automatically pre-qualify for the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories programme.
CROSSDEST – Cross-border collaboration leads to international success
The preparation of Hévíz and Sárvár for Green Destinations certification was carried out within the framework of the CROSSDEST – Cross-border destination development for inclusive and sustainable tourism in the Slovenian-Hungarian border region project.
The project's goal is to ensure that sustainability is not only reflected in destination strategies but also in the specific services used by visitors. To this end, at least 40 tourism service providers in the programme area are being prepared to achieve the Good Travel Seal certification, while the development of attractions and local product producers is also part of the programme.
The success of the two towns goes beyond the individual achievements of Hévíz and Sárvár: it demonstrates that sustainable tourism is not a single investment or campaign but a shared, long-term effort by the destination, the local community, and tourism businesses.
The Green Destinations Award is followed by independent performance and progress checks every two years, meaning that the recognition also comes with the expectation of continued development.
The Bronze Award recognition for the two towns will be presented during the Green Destinations Global Conference, held from 27–29 October 2026 in Kranj, Slovenia.
