Zurich takes responsibility

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 Zurich Tourism highlights the destination's long-standing commitment to sustainable development and its clear dedication to environmental and social responsibility. This success was made possible thanks to the close cooperation of numerous partners, businesses, and institutions, which have made a significant contribution with their projects, knowledge, and daily commitment. Together, we will continue to drive Zurich's consistent development as a sustainable destination.

Press release on certification in 2024
Media files for download

The strategy, “Zurich Takes Responsibility”, was developed in 2022 as the result of a comprehensive materiality analysis and with the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders. It has an active influence on strategic objective no. 2 of the overall business strategy, “Sustainable City Destination”. The ten ambitious focus topics are divided into three sustainability areas: economic, social, and ecological responsibility. 

With this strategy, Zürich Tourism undertakes to make the greatest possible contribution to sustainable destination development and to avoid negative impacts of tourism wherever possible, minimize unavoidable negative impacts, and instead maximize positive ones. 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.