BIOSPHERE Portugal

What BIOSPHERE Portugal does

Biosphere is the international sustainability certification system operated by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), a privately-held organization founded in 1997 under a Memorandum of Understanding with UNESCO. The company delivers a 100% digital, subscription-based certification platform that enables individual tourism and hospitality companies, hotel chains, and destination-level municipalities to measure, audit, and publicly communicate their alignment with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methodology is co-developed with UN-SDSN and recognized by the European Commission, with certified destinations ranking in the top 10 of the EU Environmental Labels and Schemes Indicator.

The underlying technology is a cloud-based benchmarking platform featuring real-time monitoring dashboards, a multi-language interface (9 languages), a guided diagnostic-to-certification workflow with automated evidence collection, and an included third-party annual external audit (up to 3 attempts per year). API integrations with Google, Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, TUI, and Hotelbeds (via Because.eco) push Biosphere certification status directly into the largest global travel booking channels, functioning as a built-in distribution layer. The platform is multi-tenant across 77 countries, with 4,000+ certified companies and 55+ certified destinations, and is offered alongside a complementary training business (Biosphere Academy) and partner-enabled add-on services (carbon offsetting via ClimateTrade, used cooking oil recycling via AceiteSolidario, inclusive business consulting via Queer Destinations).

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) annual certification subscriptions for companies, chains/groups, and destinations, with discounts for entities within Biosphere-certified destinations; (2) one-time priced training courses on the Biosphere Academy virtual campus (€100 for the Sustainable Tourism course, €450 for the Expert course on Sustainability Committees and Plans); and (3) margin on partner-routed professional services (carbon footprint calculation/offsetting, oil recycling, inclusive business consulting). Go-to-market is product-led and self-serve through the digital platform, supplemented by industry event participation (TIS, FITUR, Skål International), content marketing, and ecosystem partnerships (WTTC, GSTC, TRAVALYST, NECSTOUR).

Name

BIOSPHERE Portugal

Legal name

Responsible Tourism Institute

Website

https://biospheretourism.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Biosphere, operated by the Responsible Tourism Institute, is a subscription-based digital sustainability certification platform for tourism companies and destinations, certifying alignment with the 17 UN SDGs across 4,000+ members and 55+ destinations in 77 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Certification Software

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Certification, Auditing & Standards (Green Lodging, Tour Operator Certification) (THAAANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainability Training, Consulting & ESG Advisory (Operational Playbooks, Staff Training) (THAAANAL), Carbon Footprint Measurement, Reporting & Management (Travel Emissions Accounting) (THAAANAB), Sustainability & Environmental Certifications (Carbon, Water, Regenerative) (AFALAMAC)

Keywords

• Sustainability certification
• Tourism ESG compliance
• Destination certification
• UN SDG benchmarking
• Corporate sustainability training

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Certification Subscription: Annual subscription model for sustainability certification services for individual companies, chains/groups, and destinations. Includes 365 days platform access, online management tools, real-time indicators, 24/7 technical support, initial online assessment, third-party annual audit, up to 3 audit attempts per year, and public profile on biospheresustainable.com.
2. Training Courses: Online asynchronous training programs including Sustainable Tourism Course (€100), Basic Corporate Sustainability Course, and Expert Course on Sustainability Committees and Plans (€450). Courses include 6 months access, tutor support, and certification upon completion.
3. Additional Sustainability Services: Supplementary services including carbon footprint calculation and compensation (via ClimateTrade partnership), solidarity used cooking oil recycling program (AceiteSolidario), and inclusive business model consulting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BIOSPHERE Portugal operates a 100% digital sustainability certification and benchmarking platform that enables tourism companies, hotel chains, and destinations to demonstrate commitment to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The platform runs on an annual subscription model that includes guided online certification, real-time indicator dashboards, evidence uploads, and a third-party external annual audit. Supplementary offerings include online sustainability training courses (Biosphere Academy) and add-on services such as carbon footprint offsetting, inclusive business consulting, and used cooking oil recycling.

Product overview

Biosphere is an international sustainability certification system operated by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), offering a unified platform combining certification and training services. The core offering is the Biosphere Certification Platform—a 100% digital methodology enabling companies and destinations to achieve sustainability certification aligned with the 17 UN SDGs, featuring a tiered membership structure progressing from free Biosphere Committed (basic evaluation) to paid Biosphere Certified (full certification with annual third-party audits). Supplementary services include carbon footprint calculation via ClimateTrade, inclusive business consulting, and the AceiteSolidario recycling initiative. The Biosphere Academy provides online sustainability training through three courses (Sustainable Tourism at €100, Basic Corporate Sustainability, and Expert Sustainability Committees at €450), accessible via a virtual campus with tutor support. The platform operates on an annual subscription model and integrates via API with Google, Booking.com, and Expedia for visibility benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Biosphere Certification: International sustainability certification and recognition system for companies and destinations aligned with UN SDGs
• Biosphere Academy
• Biosphere Campus

Products and services

• Biosphere Certification Platform (Biosphere Certified)
• Biosphere Committed (Basic Membership)
• Carbon Footprint Calculation & Offsetting Service
• Inclusive Business Model Consulting
• AceiteSolidario (Used Cooking Oil Recycling)
• Sustainable Tourism Course
• Basic Course in Corporate Sustainability
• Expert Course on Business Sustainability Plans and Committees
• Biosphere Academy (Virtual Campus)

Quantifiable outcome

• Certification achievable in less than 3 months
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• UNESCOflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Memorandum of Understanding since 1997 establishing collaboration between Responsible Tourism Institute and UNESCO, enabling development of activities, projects and cooperation events. RTI was created with UNESCO support.
• UN-SDSN (Sustainable Development Solutions Network)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of Biosphere indicators and measurement methodology. UN-SDSN Spain (REDS) collaborates with RTI in developing parameters for measuring contribution to 169 targets and 17 SDGs.
• World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Biosphere and WTTC for international standardization in sustainability. WTTC represents major companies in the travel and tourism sector globally.
• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerResponsible Tourism Institute is a founding member of GSTC, the global body establishing and managing standards for sustainable travel and tourism.
• Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiosphere is a member of SHA, an international organization bringing together hospitality industry leaders to promote sustainable practices globally.
• TRAVALYSTcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFounded by Prince Harry, TRAVALYST determines which credible and consistent certifications can be trusted for travel. Biosphere-certified entities receive prominent positioning on partner platforms like Google and Booking.com.
• GooglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle's Eco-label highlights certified hotels for environmentally conscious consumers. All accommodations recognizing their sustainability with Biosphere access this certification.
• Booking.comcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBooking's Sustainable Travel Program highlights entities with sustainable practices. All Biosphere-certified companies appear with prominent positioning in this program.
• ExpediacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExpedia offers a special filter for certified sustainable accommodations and tourism services. Biosphere-certified entities are highlighted for conscious travelers.
• TUI GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTUI, serving over 21 million customers, highlights entities committed to economic, environmental, and social sustainability, trusting Biosphere as the guarantee seal.
• HotelbedsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe world's largest hotel bed bank operates in B2B format and distinguishes entities implementing good sustainable practices, including Biosphere-certified companies.
• AgodaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Asian travel technology company highlights Biosphere entities working on sustainability in their platform serving millions of customers.
• NECSTOURcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Network for Sustainable Tourism. Biosphere is a member of this network promoting responsible and sustainable tourism in Europe through innovation and best practice exchange.
• ClimateTradecoreTechnology or IntegrationRecommended carbon footprint calculation and compensation platform. Prime Calculator enables precise carbon measurement, while blockchain technology guarantees traceability in climate projects.
• Tourism Innovation Summit (TIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partner for structuring and developing all sustainability-related content, sessions, and talks at the global annual tourism innovation summit.
• Skål InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive collaboration with Biosphere and ITR for the 'Special Skål Biosphere Sustainable' award, given to each winner of Sustainable Tourism Awards.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Green Globe: International sustainability certification for the travel and tourism industry with an annual membership model. Comparable to Biosphere in certifying hotels and destinations using third-party verified sustainability criteria.
• Travelife: Sustainability certification and training system for hotels and tour operators, with a strong European footprint. Directly comparable to Biosphere in offering annual certification, online tools, and alignment with GSTC criteria.
• EarthCheck: Science-based certification and benchmarking program for the travel and tourism industry. Comparable to Biosphere in serving hotels and destinations with standardized sustainability indicators and third-party verification.
• Green Key: Long-standing international eco-label for tourism accommodations (hotels, hostels, campsites) operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Directly comparable to Biosphere as a hospitality sustainability certification with global reach and member-based annual fees.

Broad incumbents

• B Lab (B Corporation): Global certification for companies meeting verified standards of social and environmental performance. Comparable as a private sustainability certification with subscription-style recurring fees, though operating across all industries rather than tourism.
• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC): International body that sets global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. Comparable as the umbrella standard-setter; Biosphere is itself a GSTC-aligned certification and founding member, so GSTC is both an enabler and an indirect competitor.
• Sustainable Hospitality Alliance: Industry coalition of major hotel groups driving sustainability standards globally. Comparable as a peer convener of hospitality ESG initiatives; Biosphere is a member and partner.
• Rainforest Alliance: Established sustainability certification organization operating across agriculture, forestry, and tourism. Comparable as a branded sustainability certification with global recognition and third-party verification infrastructure.

Others

• TRAVALYST: Non-profit founded by Prince Harry that determines which sustainability certifications can be trusted on partner travel platforms including Google and Booking.com. Comparable as an ecosystem gatekeeper influencing which certifications (including Biosphere) gain prominence on major booking channels.

Emerging players

• ClimateTrade: Carbon offset marketplace and measurement platform, already a technology partner of Biosphere for carbon footprint calculation. Adjacent peer because both serve sustainability-program needs for tourism and corporate buyers in the same ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BiosphereSust
• Facebookfacebook.com/biospheresustainable
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biosphere-portugal
• Instagraminstagram.com/biospheresustainable
• TikToktiktok.com/@biospheresustainable

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

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 BIOSPHERE Portugal