The Garda Trentino area in northern Italy has confirmed its commitment to a responsible tourism development model and has secured the renewal of its GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification for 2026, one of the most authoritative international standards in the field of sustainable tourism.
The recognition rewards the work carried out in recent years to combine tourism growth with environmental protection. The area boasts an extraordinary natural heritage, including four protected areas – the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, the Sarca River Park, the Monte Baldo Local Nature Park and the Monte Brione Nature Reserve – as well as three UNESCO recognitions, ranging from the Biosphere Reserve and the Dolomites to the Alpine pile-dwelling sites.
A journey that began in 2024
The GSTC certification was first obtained in 2024, marking the start of a structured path towards increasingly sustainable destination management. Today, Garda Trentino can celebrate a further achievement: the number of accommodation establishments in the area holding an official sustainability certification has risen to 20. The open-air sector is also involved in the GSTC project, and some campsites in Garda Trentino are already certified, such as Camping Maroadi and Camping Casavecchia.
The renewal process is not automatic. It requires annual assessments, on-site inspections and the direct involvement of institutions, operators and representative stakeholders across the destination. The audit carried out last April confirmed compliance with all the required standards, allowing Garda Trentino to retain this prestigious international recognition.
Three strategic pillars currently guide the destination’s policies. The first is the wellbeing economy, aimed at generating widespread economic value and wellbeing across the territory. The second is community-positive tourism, focused on creating quality employment and improving the quality of life of local communities. The third is nature-positive tourism, which promotes biodiversity-friendly experiences and adopts a regenerative approach towards the environment, climate and natural resources.
Concrete initiatives
The renewal of the GSTC certification is the tangible result of a series of initiatives that have turned Garda Trentino into a laboratory of best practices for sustainable tourism.
Among them are the CleanUp Days, dedicated to litter collection and environmental care. Since the end of May 2026, the project has evolved into CleanUp Now, becoming a permanent year-round initiative. These efforts are complemented by pioneering measures that have been in place for decades, such as the regulation of navigation on Lake Garda. Since 1983, private boating on the Trentino side of the lake has been permitted exclusively under sail, a measure that reflects the area’s long-standing commitment to protecting the environment and landscape.
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