ISO 21401:2018 Accommodation Sustainability Management Systems Foundation Level Training and Certification Program

Programme Summary

Build an understanding of accommodation sustainability using ISO 21401:2018. Participants connect guest services, resource controls and local community impacts with responsibilities and performance measures. Exercises based on a hotel and resort operations case develop requirement interpretation, evidence selection and gap recognition. The programme establishes a foundation for responsible accommodation operations and credible sustainability performance and further implementation or auditor development.

Training Objectives

1 Explain accommodation sustainability requirements; 2 Connect requirements with operational responsibilities; 3 Recognise wasteful resource use; 4 Select relevant implementation evidence; 5 Prepare for further practical development.

Learning Outcomes

1 Assess accommodation sustainability impacts; 2 Select relevant resource indicators; 3 Plan responsible supplier controls; 4 Evaluate guest and community feedback; 5 Prioritise property sustainability actions.

Target Audience

Hotel General Managers; Hotel Sustainability Managers; Resort Operations Managers; Accommodation Quality Managers; Management System Coordinators.

Target Industries

Hotels and Resorts; Serviced Apartments; Tourist Lodges; Holiday Accommodation; Hospitality Property Operations.

Course Contents

• Module 1 Standard Purpose and Practical Application: Management system purpose and intended outcomes; Requirement guidance and evidence distinctions; Course case scope and learning responsibilities.
• Module 2 Accommodation Scope and Sustainability Context: Property boundaries and service activities; Environmental social and economic interactions; Interested parties and climate relevance.
• Module 3 Sustainability Governance and Planning: Policy responsibilities and operational accountability; Significant issues risks and applicable obligations; Property objectives and action plans.
• Module 4 Water Energy and Material Efficiency: Consumption baselines and monitoring arrangements; Efficiency actions and responsible procurement; Guest participation and operational communication.
• Module 5 Waste Pollution and Natural Environments: Waste reduction segregation and contractor controls; Discharges emissions and chemical handling interfaces; Biodiversity and sensitive location considerations.
• Module 6 People Culture and Community Relations: Workforce welfare and equal treatment; Local culture heritage and community engagement; Local employment purchasing and economic contribution.
• Module 7 Sustainable Guest Service Delivery: Accessible information and guest communication; Service quality and sustainability commitments; Supplier coordination and operational changes.
• Module 8 Economic Viability and Performance Evidence: Business continuity and responsible cost decisions; Monitoring environmental social and economic indicators; Documented evidence supporting sustainability claims.
• Module 9 Accommodation Review and Improvement: Guest and community feedback evaluation; Internal audit and management review; Corrective actions and continuing property improvements.
• Module 10 Interpreting Requirements in Context: Mandatory requirements and proportionate application; Interfaces with applicable legal obligations; Supported judgements and unresolved interpretation issues.
• Module 11 Selecting Relevant Management System Evidence: Resource consumption records; Local purchasing records; Guest and community feedback.
• Module 12 Foundation Application Workshop: Map responsibilities within the supplied case; Match controls to relevant requirements; Explain gaps and practical next steps.

Assessment

• 60 single best answer questions, including applied scenarios; one mark per question.
• 90 minute invigilated digital examination with identity verification. Approved accessibility adjustments preserve the assessed competence.
• Clean standard text and supplied case documents permitted; internet, messaging and external AI tools prohibited.
• Individual applied assessment (45 minutes): Using a supplied hotel and resort operations case, produce an accommodation impacts register and action priorities, link three controls to relevant requirements and explain one unresolved weakness.
• Assessment criteria: Accurate interpretation of accommodation sustainability requirements; Relevant use of resource consumption records; Clear connection between controls responsibilities and identified gaps.
• Pass each component separately: 45/60 written marks (75%) and at least 70% on the applied task.
• All mandatory criteria must pass: Do not fabricate evidence or knowingly present unsupported conformity conclusions.
• Individual results and feedback are provided. One reassessment may follow coaching under the published enrolment terms.

Certification

• Successful learners receive a TQCSI Arabia digital Certificate of Successful Completion.
• The certificate records the learner name, exact programme title, teaching hours, completion date and unique verification reference.
• Verified identity, full attendance and separate written and applied passes are required; all mandatory critical criteria must be met.
• Proposed issue target: within 30 calendar days of approved results and settlement of applicable fees.
• Records assessed foundation knowledge of accommodation sustainability; it does not establish professional auditor status, independent personnel certification or organisational certification.
• Attendance confirmation may record completed hours for unsuccessful learners; it does not certify successful completion.

Programme Profile

Number of daysNumber of daysNumber of days

333

Total teaching hoursTotal teaching hoursTotal teaching hours

18 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.18 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.18 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.

Delegates allowedDelegates allowedDelegates allowed

Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.

Training prerequisitesTraining prerequisitesTraining prerequisites

No formal qualification required. Familiarity with accommodation sustainability activities and everyday business processes is recommended.No formal qualification required. Familiarity with accommodation sustainability activities and everyday business processes is recommended.No formal qualification required. Familiarity with accommodation sustainability activities and everyday business processes is recommended.

Pre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessment

Complete a 20-minute diagnostic and identify how resource consumption records support a supplied operational case.Complete a 20-minute diagnostic and identify how resource consumption records support a supplied operational case.Complete a 20-minute diagnostic and identify how resource consumption records support a supplied operational case.

End of course assessmentEnd of course assessmentEnd of course assessment

60 question written exam (90 minutes) and individual applied task (45 minutes).60 question written exam (90 minutes) and individual applied task (45 minutes).60 question written exam (90 minutes) and individual applied task (45 minutes).

Passing criteriaPassing criteriaPassing criteria

75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.