Zürich Tourism Sustainability Strategy: Goals Through 2030

Well-connected, with short distances and a strong commitment to making the city a great place to live: Zurich combines urban life with nature, and innovation with responsibility. EarthCheck certification confirms that the destination gives equal consideration to the environment, society, and the economy.

The destination of Zurich has once again been successfully certified as a sustainable travel destination in 2025 by EarthCheck, the internationally recognized certification body in the tourism sector. Following its initial certification in 2024, the renewed audit confirms Zurich's continuous progress toward becoming a responsible, future-oriented destination.

The certification process initiated by Zürich Tourism highlights the destination’s long-standing commitment to sustainable development and its clear dedication to environmental and social responsibility. This success is the result of close collaboration with numerous partners, businesses, and institutions, whose projects, expertise, and daily efforts have made a significant contribution. Together with them, Zürich Tourism will continue to consistently drive Zurich’s development as a sustainable destination.

Press release on certification in 2024
Media files for download

The strategy, “Zurich Takes Responsibility” was developed based on a comprehensive materiality analysis and input from all relevant stakeholders, and covers the current strategic period from 2023 to 2030. It contributes to Strategic Goal No. 2 of the overarching business strategy, “Sustainable City Destination.” The ten ambitious focus areas are divided into three categories: economic, social, and environmental responsibility.

With this strategy, Zürich Tourism undertakes to make the greatest possible contribution to sustainable destination development: resource consumption, waste, and emissions are to be avoided or reduced as much as possible – while regional value creation, fair working conditions, and social exchange are strengthened. The strategy is based on the Sustainability Policy, which identifies current and socially relevant impacts of tourism within the destination. Furthermore, the Sustainability Policy serves to ensure and implement minimum social and environmental standards in daily operations (in procurement, in the organization of events or projects, as well as in terms of business travel). Zürich Tourism reports transparently on objectives, projects, measures, and progress on a regular basis. For this purpose, a sustainability report is published annually in accordance with the standards laid down by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). 

Zürich Tourism would also like to inspire businesses relevant to tourism to embrace sustainability. The tip list for hotels and restaurants serves as inspiration and includes a compilation of local initiatives and projects to get involved.

Zürich Tourism collaborates with the following sustainability labels and partner organizations.