What Dream & Charme does

Dream & Charme (legal entity Dream&Charme srl) is a Milan-based international certification body for the hospitality and tourism sector, founded in 2006. The company audits and certifies hotels, private villas, resorts, vacation villages, and adjacent luxury assets (including the first expedition cruise and the first luxury train to receive its ESG certification) against its proprietary Standard D&C:2023, which comprises more than 1,200 evaluation parameters organized into digital checklists. The Standard is deposited with Accredia, Italy's national accreditation body designated under European Regulation 765/2008, and Dream & Charme operates under ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation with International Accreditation Forum (IAF) recognition in 99 countries for three separate certification lines: DCA ESG (accredited June 22, 2020), GSTC (accredited July 23, 2024), and Gabbiani Verdi (accredited July 22, 2025).

Revenue is generated through three streams: (i) one-time initial certification audit fees scaled by property size (rooms for hotels, square meters for villas), (ii) recurring maintenance audit fees at 12 and 24 months followed by triennial renewals, and (iii) ancillary services including a Carbon Footprint calculation offering (ISO 14064 / GHG Protocol compliant) and the Dream&Charme Academy's training programs (Master in Hospitality Sustainability Manager & Practitioner, auditor pathways, and corporate training). Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales with a partnership-driven channel: the company is embedded as a preferred or exclusive certification body with The Leading Hotels of the World, EHMA Italia, Confindustria Alberghi, Federalberghi branches, Altagamma, ADSI, and others, plus a network of DCA Member Agencies (tour operators and travel agencies). DCA ESG certifications are also surfaced as Third-Party "Certificazione di sostenibilità" status on Booking.com, Expedia, and Google since 2023, aligning the offering with EU Greenwashing Directive 825/24 compliance requirements.

The company is privately held, self-financed through operating revenues, with a lean disclosed headcount of 1–10 employees, led by CEO Giorgio Caire di Lauzet from the Milan headquarters at Via del Lauro 2. Operational reach spans 19+ countries across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and the Americas, with GSTC certification specifically excluding China. The Independence and Safeguarding Committee structure is in place to maintain impartiality in certification decisions, consistent with ISO/IEC 17065 governance requirements.

Name

Dream & Charme

Legal name

Dream&Charme srl

Website

https://dca-cert.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Sustainability Certification

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainability, Energy & Environmental (ESG/LEED) Certifications (EDAAANAO)

Keywords

• Hospitality sustainability certification
• ESG certification services
• GSTC hotel certification
• Carbon footprint verification
• ISO 17065 accreditation

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Initial Certification Audit: One-time contribution for initial certification audit and certificate issuance. The fee varies based on property size (square meters for non-hotel properties, number of rooms for hotels) and applicable conventions/partnerships.
2. Maintenance Audit Fees: Annual fees for maintenance audits conducted at 12 months (1st maintenance) and 24 months (2nd maintenance) after initial audit, plus renewal fees for subsequent 3-year certification periods.
3. Academy Training Services: Revenue from training programs including Master in Hospitality Sustainability Manager & Practitioner, individual pathways, and corporate training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dream&Charme is an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited certification body that issues independent, third-party sustainability and characteristics certifications for accommodation facilities (hotels, private villas, resorts, vacation villages, cruise ships, and trains). Its portfolio includes DCA ESG Certification, DCA ESG Sostenibile L Certification, DCA L Certification, GSTC Certification, and Gabbiani Verdi Certification, each backed by Accredia accreditation with IAF recognition in 99 countries and evaluated through the proprietary Standard D&C:2023 methodology containing over 1,200 parameters. The company also provides a Carbon Footprint service (ISO 14064 / GHG Protocol compliant) and runs the Dream&Charme Academy for sustainability training.

Product overview

Dream&Charme operates as an international certification body for hospitality and tourism, offering multiple certification products including DCA ESG, DCA L, GSTC, and Gabbiani Verdi certifications under ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation. The company provides a digital platform with web-based certification management, auditor tools (Area Tecnica), and a professional data portal (Area Dati). Complementing its certification services, the Dream&Charme Academy offers specialized training programs including the Master in Hospitality Sustainability Manager & Practitioner and auditor training courses. The company also provides a Carbon Footprint service for CO₂e emissions measurement in compliance with ISO 14064 and GHG Protocol standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DCA ESG: Certification that guarantees the characteristics and sustainability of accommodation facilities under accreditation ISO/IEC 17065 by ACCREDIA with IAF recognition in 99 countries.
• GSTC
• Gabbiani Verdi
• Carbon Footprint

Products and services

• DCA ESG Certification

Quantifiable outcome

• Certification recognized IAF in 99 countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Autentico HospitalityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026From 2026, Dream&Charme is an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited Certification Body and partner of Autentico Hospitality for DCA ESG and GSTC sustainability certifications.
• NerolifestyleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026From 2026, Dream&Charme is an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited Certification Body and partner of Nerolifestyle for DCA ESG and GSTC sustainability certifications.
• The Leading Hotels of the WorldcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025From January 2025, Dream&Charme is the accredited Certification Body (ISO/IEC 17065 by Accredia) and partner of The Leading Hotels of the World. As preferred supplier in the Leading Strategic Sourcing (LSS) program, Dream&Charme offers LHW properties access to international best practices and preferential rates for GSTC certification.
• Federalberghi FirenzeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025From 2025, Dream&Charme is an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited Certification Body and partner of Federalberghi Firenze for DCA ESG and GSTC sustainability certifications at preferential conditions for member properties.
• A.D.A. Italia (Associazione Direttori Albergo)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025From 2025, Dream&Charme is an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited Certification Body and partner of A.D.A. Italia for DCA ESG and GSTC sustainability certifications.
• TravalystcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2024On December 23, 2024, Travalyst recognized Dream&Charme and DCA ESG certification as compliant with sustainability criteria defined by Travalyst.
• Federalberghi Milano Lodi Monza e BrianzaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2024From June 2024, Dream&Charme is an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited Certification Body and partner of Federalberghi Milano Lodi Monza e Brianza for DCA ESG and GSTC sustainability certifications.
• EHMA Italia (European Hotel Managers Association)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024From January 2024, Dream&Charme is the Certification Body partner of EHMA Italia, committed to serving and supporting associated General Managers. EHMA is the most prestigious international association in the sector.
• Federalberghi LiguriaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024From 2024, Dream&Charme is an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited Certification Body and partner of Federalberghi Liguria for DCA ESG and GSTC sustainability certifications at preferential conditions.
• AltagammaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024From 2024, Dream&Charme is an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited Certification Body and partner of Altagamma for GSTC sustainability certification of member hotels.
• Confindustria AlberghicoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2021From May 2021, Dream&Charme is an accredited Certification Body (ISO/IEC 17065 by Accredia) and partner of Confindustria Alberghi, having signed an important agreement renewed annually, aimed at guaranteeing the characteristics and sustainability of member properties to guests, agencies, and visitors.
• GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Since 2021, Dream&Charme (DCA) is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in the 'Assurance' category. GSTC is the international body that manages global criteria for sustainable tourism and provides quality assurance for hotel, tour operator, and destination certification.
• ADSI (Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDream&Charme has specific expertise in Historic Properties sector through partnership with ADSI. Having certified numerous historic properties according to DCA ESG standard, Dream&Charme understands the constraints, issues, and extraordinary value of these residences. The DCA ESG Certification under Accredia ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation officially guarantees their characteristics and sustainability.
• E.H.M.A. Europe (European Hotel Managers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2024, Dream&Charme is the Certification Body partner of E.H.M.A. Europe (European Hotel Managers Association), the most prestigious association of hotel and resort General Managers in Europe, founded in Rome in 1974. Today it has over 450 directors in 30 countries representing approximately 350 high-profile hotels.
• AccrediacoreOthersAccredia is the sole national accreditation body designated by the Italian Government, in application of European Regulation 765/2008, to attest the competence, independence, and impartiality of certification, inspection, and verification bodies, as well as testing and calibration laboratories. Dream&Charme holds Accredia accreditation nr. PRD 01625 for ISO/IEC 17065 certification.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: Global testing, inspection, and certification major with sustainability certification offerings across sectors including hospitality, leveraging broad geographic reach and enterprise relationships.
• DNV: Independent assurance and certification provider offering sustainability certification and management system services with established relationships across hospitality and adjacent industries.
• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification major offering sustainability certification services across multiple industries including hospitality; competes for hotel ESG certification mandates via brand and scale advantages.
• TÜV SÜD: International testing and certification organization providing sustainability and management system certification services applicable to hotels and tourism operators.

Direct peers

• Travelife: Sustainability certification system specifically designed for hotels and tour operators, providing GSTC-aligned hotel certification that directly overlaps with Dream&Charme's GSTC accreditation offering.
• Cristal International Standards: Specialist in hotel quality, safety, and hygiene audit/certification services for the hospitality industry — a direct competitor in property-level certification and audit delivery.
• Green Key International: International eco-label for tourism and hospitality operating a sustainability certification program for hotels — the closest direct analogue to DCA ESG in scope and customer segment.
• Control Union: Global certification body offering sustainability certification services in tourism and hospitality, including eco-label programs that compete directly with DCA ESG for hotel accounts.
• EarthCheck: Science-based sustainability certification and benchmarking program for travel and tourism, certifying hotels, resorts, and destinations against recognized environmental and social criteria.

Others

• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC): Standard-setting body that defines global criteria for sustainable tourism and accredits certification bodies such as Dream&Charme; a standards authority and ecosystem participant rather than a direct certifying competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=qTfbK23ZZqc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/consulnet-travel-dream-charme

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dream & Charme