Included in HAZ hotel membership
HAZ Green Certification
The HAZ sustainability certification for every member hotel, from first commitments to conservation leadership.
Built for the practical realities of Zanzibar hospitality: aligned with the goals of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Hotel Standard, and following the mandatory regulations of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT).
Better business. Better Zanzibar.
Four levels, each earned with evidence
Hotels are certified at the level their evidence supports, rather than all starting at Level 1. Each level also requires all the mandatory controls of the levels below it.
Mangroves protect Zanzibar’s coastline, and their life cycle maps onto the four levels: from a propagule taking root to a mature tree on its stilt roots.
Level 1
Shoots
Foundations and commitment
The mangrove at this level A propagule taking root
A score of 25 reaches Level 1 · Shoots. 25 more points to Level 2 · Roots.
Entry scores are out of 100. A score alone does not award a level: assessors evaluate the evidence and the Certification Decision Panel decides. Badges shown for the 2026/27 award year.
Evidence-led, independent and built for Zanzibar
HAZ owns the scheme. Qualified assessors evaluate the evidence, and a separate panel decides every award.
Name a HAZ Green Champion
Every HAZ Hotel Member takes part, and each hotel appoints the person who leads its HAZ Green work.
Assessment against the standard
Qualified assessors evaluate the hotel’s evidence against the HAZ Green standard.
An independent decision
An independent Certification Decision Panel decides every award, at the level the evidence supports.
Certified for 12 months
The hotel is listed on the public HAZ Green register and displays the badge for the level it holds.
Included in membership
Participation and standard Secretariat support are included in the annual HAZ membership fee.
Built on Zanzibar regulation
HAZ Green follows the mandatory regulations of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism (ZCT), including those on waste and recycling, and is aligned with the goals of the GSTC Hotel Standard.
Supported by Blue Impact Network
Under a memorandum of understanding with HAZ, Blue Impact Network provides technical oversight, practical guidance and ongoing support from November 2026. HAZ keeps ownership and final certification authority.
GSTC: Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Alignment with the goals of the GSTC Hotel Standard does not imply GSTC certification, recognition, endorsement or accreditation.
The combined impact of Zanzibar’s hotels
Member activities are collated in the HAZ CSR & Sustainability Impact Observatory, to show what Zanzibar’s hotels achieve together for the island’s people and place.
Results will be published with date, unit and source, with member-declared figures labelled apart from verified ones.
About the Impact ObservatoryWhat will be measured
- Water saved
- Waste diverted
- Renewable power
- Plastics cut
- Mangrove and coral projects
- Heritage support
Every badge says exactly what was earned
Guests and partners read the HAZ Green badges as HAZ at a glance: they share the seal of the HAZ member badge.
- Only hotels with a current HAZ Green certificate show a badge, and only for the level they hold.
- Every badge is dated with the award year and linked to the hotel’s entry on the public HAZ Green register.
- A badge is removed when the certificate expires or is suspended, downgraded or withdrawn.
Public register
Get notified when the public register opens
Questions hotels ask about HAZ Green
Is HAZ Green Certification mandatory for member hotels?
Yes. Every HAZ Hotel Member takes part, and each hotel appoints a HAZ Green Champion.
Does HAZ Green cost extra?
No. Participation and standard Secretariat support are included in the annual HAZ membership fee.
Does every hotel start at Level 1?
No. Hotels are assessed against the standard and certified at the level their evidence supports. Certification is earned, never automatic.
How long is a certificate valid?
Each award is valid for 12 months. Each level also requires all the mandatory controls of the levels below it.
Who decides each award?
Qualified assessors evaluate the evidence and an independent Certification Decision Panel decides every award. HAZ owns the scheme and keeps final certification authority; Blue Impact Network provides technical oversight and support.
Is HAZ Green a GSTC certification?
No. HAZ Green is aligned with the goals of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Hotel Standard. This alignment does not imply GSTC certification, recognition, endorsement or accreditation.
How can a hotel take part?
HAZ Green Certification is for HAZ member hotels. Join HAZ, or write to info@haz.or.tz with questions.
Join the hotels shaping Zanzibar’s future.
For member hotels, HAZ Green is the direction of your association. For hotels considering membership, it is an invitation to join programmes that benefit your hotel and Zanzibar.