Our Methodology
& Process
A rigorous methodology and process
The QALIA scoring system, platform and process are meticulously designed to assist you in crafting a personalised, measurable and achievable action plan. This will ensure the effective development and execution of your sustainable strategy. Together with the Four Pillars of Conscious Luxury, our scoring system combines long-standing experience in the management and marketing of luxury accommodations with the commitment to empower positive impact on the planet, people and prosperity, with a purpose. To achieve this, our framework follows the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) as a guiding principle.
Comprehensive
- Inclusion of all operational aspects
- Industry experience based
Integrity
- Transparent process
- Impartial auditing via third-party
Precision-driven
- Metrics-based approach
- Strategic alignment with the Four pillars
Independent Third-Party Audit
Conducted by an independent third-party auditor trained and certified in sustainable tourism, the certification process is initiated with the impartial assessment of all evidence of compliance provided within our Certification Management Platform. Only once the auditor gives a favorable decision, our Certification Committee reviews every step, document and the auditor’s report to warrant that the principles of QALIA certification policy have been rigorously followed to grant one of the certifying levels.
Third-Party Auditing
All our audits are conducted by professional third-party auditors who are trained and certified in sustainable tourism (ISO, ICA, or GSTC auditor credentials). By design, our policy and contractual obligations require that no influence can be made over the audit process and results. This guarantees impartial, rigorous, and credible evaluations.
Transparent Criteria, Clear Deliverables
QALIA’s set of criteria is publicly available and aligned with the SDGs, as well as global hospitality standards such as GSTC and Travalyst. We aim for luxury hospitality operators to fully understand the requirements and evidence of compliance for their sustainability journey and that the audit process is an in-depth evaluation of the substantiated and detailed evidence provided for each of the practices.
Our Certification Committee
QALIA’s certification Committee includes three seasoned professionals who review the entire process for each application and grant the final validation of the certification. This ensures that all terms and principles within our policy are followed objectively and without bias, reinforcing the integrity of our certification process.
Ongoing Commitment
QALIA is dedicated to continuous improvement, not just a one-time certification. Renewal audits are required every two years, or earlier if a property is ready to advance to another level of certification. In addition, properties are required to improve their score by a minimum of 5 points during the 2 years until the renewal audit to maintain their certification, as an incentive to increase their positive impact on the environment, the communities and the guests’ experience.
Scoring Methodology
QALIA’s scoring principles are based on a rigorous method of analysis of each criterion’s impact on operational and sustainable excellence.
- Impact on UN SDGs: This gauges how each criterion impacts the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the significance of beneficial effects on the environment and society.
- Complexity of implementation: This evaluates the possible challenges and time needed to implement the sustainability initiatives, making sure they are realistic and achievable.
- Cost implications: This takes into account the budgetary impacts of implementing sustainability initiatives, attempting to strike a balance between affordability and efficiency.
- Importance to guests: This assesses how each sustainability effort may impact the guest experience, taking into account their expectations and values.
Our Process
We place a great deal of emphasis on providing the highest value at every step of our process, from our initial assessment to our Certification Committee who validates the auditor’s decision. This safeguards strict integrity, transparency and objectivity in everything we do for the benefit of all.
Email Us
- Marc Ribail (CEO):
marc@qalia.org - Nicola Ferrario (CSO):
nicola@qalia.org - Sander van de Riet (Asia office):
sander@qalia.org
- Marc Ribail:
+33 (0) 7 50 02 11 03 - Nicola Ferrario
+39 378 067 2195 - Sander van de Riet:
+852 6011 1081
Meet with Us
Please see our contact page to meet with us during the 2025 conferences