These Sustainable Tourism Certified businesses are leading the way to help you enjoy a greener travel experience. Now is the perfect time to book your trip and support these incredible, forward-thinking Ontario-based tourism hotels, resorts, wineries, tour operators and destinations. When restrictions lift and travel resumes, choose to support a business who not only cares about sustainability, but makes it a priority in their day-to-day operations.
The earth-loving team at GreenStep have ensured that each tourism business that achieves certification is meeting a high level of sustainability stewardship that rivals most others, through a detailed, one-on-one assessment process. By completing the steps necessary to become Sustainable Tourism Certified, these businesses are ahead of the game and ready to give you an incredible, sustainable experience. What are you waiting for? Book your next trip today!
Accomodations:
Elmhirst’s Resort – Rice Lake
Sustainable Tourism Gold Certified
Elmhirst’s Resort offers an authentic cottage resort retreat on the north shore of Rice Lake, Ontario, 90 minutes east of Toronto. Open year-round, the resort has a collection of 30 housekeeping cottages, two restaurants, full service Spa, fitness centre and pools, conference and wedding facilities, boat rentals and docking, runway and air service. The Elmhirst Family, who operate the resort and live onsite, are the fifth generation of Elmhirst’s to operate the farm, and are thankful for what has been passed down to them. Check out their website to make a booking, and take a few minutes to read our member spotlight for Elmhirst’s Resort here!
Tour Operators:
Blue Heron Cruises – Tobermory, Ontario
Sustainable Tourism Silver Certified
Blue Heron Cruises is a family run tour boat company located in Little Tub Harbour. Operating 4 tour boats in peak season, they offer scenic stay aboard cruises, sunset cruises, and drop off cruises to Flowerpot Island, all within Fathom Five National Marine Park. They pride themselves in being an original tour boat company in Tobermory with the latest and best innovations in boat design and the largest glass bottom boats in Tobermory. Book your next cruise with them now – there is something for everyone!
Topsy Farms – Amherst Island
Sustainable Tourism Gold Certified
Topsy Farms is a family-owned farm on Amherst Island in Lake Ontario, specializing in ethically produced 100% pure wool products, Canadian wool blankets, sheepskins, and fresh or frozen lamb. Topsy Farms welcome visitors to visit the online store, or visit them in person when travel restrictions allow it. On site they have a 2km hiking trail to the Sugar Shack, and a Wool Shed to browse through and find some amazing handmade items! Read our member blog here, or check out their website.
Wineries
Thirty Bench Winery – Beamsville
Sustainable Tourism Silver Certified
Thirty Bench is a producer of premium wines grown exclusively on estate vineyards in the Beamsville Bench appellation, a superior winegrowing region on the Niagara Peninsula. They focus on what the vineyard does best, growing Riesling and classic red varietals on vines managed for low yield and maximum fruit intensity. Their wines are carefully crafted by a skilled winemaker in small lots, ensuring every single bottle of Thirty Bench wine boasts exceptional quality and flavour. Be sure to add Thirty Bench Winery to your next wine tour when travel restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, order their wines online.
Trius Winery – Niagara-on-the-Lake
Sustainable Tourism Silver Certified
In addition to creating Canada’s most iconic wines, Trius Winery has earned a reputation for blending wine, food and the arts to create some of Canada’s most iconic wine country experiences. Trius Winery takes pride in the unique geography and climate of the Niagara Peninsula and works closely with local growers to produce wines with a ‘regional taste’. Their winemaking philosophy is to respect the classic character of each grape variety in this great wine region. When travel restrictions are lifted – be sure to add Trius Winery to your itinerary! In the meantime, shop online to purchase their wines, or find a retailer where it is sold on their website.
Destinations:
Waterloo Region
Sustainable Tourism Bronze Certified
Home to three bustling cities (Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo), and four townships (North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, Wollwich), Waterloo region provides the perfect balance between new and old, rural and urban, nature and technology, classical and contemporary, tranquility and adventure. Choose the excitement of bustling urban centres with unique restaurants and microbreweries to sample, or the slower pace and old-world charm of the surrounding countryside. Our member Explore Waterloo Region works hard to show off Waterloo Region to the world – for the best information and ideas for booking your trip here, visit their website.
Oxford County
Sustainable Tourism Gold Certified
Located in the heartland of Southwestern Ontario, Oxford County is known for great cycling, slow food, a diverse heritage, and its commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2050. Sample the cheese trail, see how the landscape inspires local artists, and immerse yourself in their rural lifestyle. Slow down and unplug as you tour Oxford. To find tour attractions and accomodation in Oxford County, head over to their website.