The Passport to Sustainability Program is an initiative designed to encourage visitors to participate in activities with businesses and organizations within Ohio’s tourism industry who focus on sustainable practices. As you travel and visit the Passport organizations, you will have the opportunity to stamp your digital passport. You will be eligible for some neat prizes once your passport is filled!

Anyone, at any age, as long as you have a smart phone or device that you are able to take on your travels!

Organizations in the tourism industry have the opportunity to apply to be certified as a sustainable organization. Whenever you visit a Passport to Sustainability location, scan the SR code on site to stamp your passport and mark your visit completed. You can login to the Passport to Sustainability program at any time to check your status and see all the places you have already stamped your passport.

A QR code is short for “quick response” and it is a type of two-dimensional barcode that can store information. It can be scanned using a smart phone/tablet. In keeping with the theme of sustainability, we felt that utilizing QR codes instead of a printed passport best supported sustainable efforts. In addition to allowing us a great opportunity to be green, it also allows for quick access to information and ease of use for our participants.

Once you reach 25 “stamps” in your passport through scanning QR codes at participating locations, we will get an alert that your passport is full and will reach out to the email address associated with your account with instructions on how ot redeem your prize.

Prizes will be donated by the organizations participating in the Passport to Sustainability program and will change from time to time. Some of our past participating organizations hae chosen to plant a tree for each completed passport, provide complimentary tickets to future events at their location, send native flower seed packets, or provide sustainable reusable items such as water bottles.

We gave a current list of partners available on our website, along with links to their organization’s page so you can find hours of operation, pricing, and additional details. The list is updated quarterly, so be sure to check back for any new additions!

To become a member, you simply have to sign up! After registering, you will receive a link to your sustainability passport.

Any business or organization operating in the State of Ohio that is connected with the travel/tourism industry and can demonstrate that they are making an effort to be sustainable and environmentally concious.

The application process will include a list of sustainable practices that your organization can take part in. Regardless of the size or scope of your organization, if you are practicing sustainability, you will be eligible to apply. Once you have made the sustainable changes to your organization (or can show that they have already been implemented), please apply for the program. Remember – your efforts must be measurable and observable. 

Travel is evolving and sustainable practices are becoming more important to travelers. When people travel, they want to know that the choices they are making are supporting a healthy environment. By being certified as part of the Passport to Sustainability program, you are showing that you are making a commitment to greener company policies and a better future for the Earth. Members will be a part of the Passport to Sustainability marketing efforts and will become part of a community that co-advertises. You will also have the opportunity to donate one of the prizes guests can win by completing their passport. 

If you are an organization interesting in becoming certified, the only cost is what you need to spend to make your organization compliant with the guidelines. 

The application is available here: (insert weblink)