Trail Angels are Travelife Certified

Travelife is a globally leading international certification and management programme for sustainable tourism. It is specifically aimed at tour operators and travel agencies, as well as small tourism enterprises, with the goal of improving, increasing transparency of, and publicly communicating their sustainable Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance.
 
The Travelife standards cover a broad range of criteria, including environmental management, reduction of emissions, of waste and of water usage, fair working conditions, human rights, animal welfare, protection of local culture, cooperation with suppliers, and transparency with guests/customers. These standards are recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), making Travelife one of the most respected global sustainability certifications in the tourism sector.
 
“Travelife Certified” is the highest level of distinction a tour operator can achieve under the Travelife programme. This means:
•All certification requirements have been demonstrably met.
•An independent auditor not only reviews documents but also inspects on-site to verify implementation of reported practices.
•Certification is valid for two years, provided standards are maintained and a yearly check is conducted.
•The organisation must report regularly on progress via action plans, and document and disclose improvements.
•Upon successful audit, the business earns the right to use the Travelife Certified logo and is listed among their certified providers. See here. This boosts visibility for customers who actively seek sustainable travel options.

Travelife CEO A.H.H. Kusters presents Trail Angels Managing Director Nathalie Reichhold with the Travelife Certified certificate at ITB Berlin 2024; ©Travelife

Trail Angels are Travelife certified

How Our Guests Rate Us on Trustpilot: “Excellent”

Trustpilot is an independent online review platform where customers can publicly share their experiences with businesses, products or services. Founded in 2007 in Denmark, it has since grown into one of the world’s most recognised review platforms.

Customers primarily use Trustpilot to assess the trustworthiness and quality of a business before purchasing or booking. Afterwards, they can leave a free review and rate the service with 1 to 5 stars.

Trail Angels have been on Trustpilot since 2020. As of September 2025, we have received over 830 reviews – a respectable amount – with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5, or “Excellent”. What makes this even more remarkable is that guests often rate not just our booking services, but also all associated services (accommodation, transport, etc.) over which we only have limited say, and even the condition and attractiveness of the trails themselves.

For us Trail Angels, an “Excellent” rating is both motivation and inspiration to keep improving – especially by taking the occasional critical reviews seriously and addressing potential weaknesses, often in close collaboration with our service partners.

Rating “Excellent”: Our guests’ reviews on Trustpilot are both inspiration and motivation for us

What our customers say about us – example of a particularly appreciative review

Trail Angels Are the Official Booking Centre

At the core of our business model the development of products for sustainable outdoor tourism all the way to their implementation stage — and, if our partners wish, also managing them long-term. This is based on a transparent and inclusive business model involving multi-year licensing agreements between us, the Trail Angels, and our project partners. Most often, this includes establishing an Official Service & Booking Centre for the respective products.
True sustainability in tourism can only be measured over time — well after the initial project period ends. Our proven model enables ongoing commitment, creation of measurable regional value, and continuous quality control. At the same time, it provides guests with an “official” point of contact where they are offered well-supported and easy access to the product.

At present, Trail Angels serves as the Official Service & Booking Centre for a total of 20 long-distance hiking trails as well as cycle routes and a ski touring traverse. For our partner destinations and over 800 involved businesses, we provide a reliable and competent partner committed to sustainable and resilient tourism.

We proudly display the “Official Booking Centre” label in our logo!

Our projects thrive on collaboration! Example: the Alpe-Adria Trail with partner businesses from Heiligenblut to Muggia. ©Kärnten Werbung/F. Gerdl

Here Are Some of Our Awards and Distinctions

We’re not big on collecting awards. For us, the greatest recognition is when our project partners are satisfied with the results of our collaboration. We deem our projects as successful when they lay the groundwork for long-lasting, sustainable regional value creation. And when they provide unforgettable and meaningful travel experiences to as many guests as possible.

Still, we don’t want to keep from you the various honours that we, together with our partners and projects, have received — especially since awards can also contribute to the success and momentum of projects, as has been clearly demonstrated in the case of the Alpe-Adria Trail or the High Scardus Trail:

National Geographic Traveler International:
Best New Trail 2016 (Alpe-Adria Trail)
 
National Geographic Traveler Europe:
Top 7 Trail in Europe 2017 (Alpe-Adria Trail)
 
Tour Natur Düsseldorf:
Best Long-Distance Trail in Austria 2018 (Alpe-Adria Trail)
 
Region of Carinthia:
Tourism Lighthouse Project 2019 (Trail Cubes)
 
World Travel Awards London:
Best Tourism Project Europe 2022 (High Scardus Trail)
 
TIME Magazine:
World’s Greatest Places 2024 (Höfe Trail)
 
EuroVelo:
Best Cycling Tourism Initiative 2025 (Amazon of Europe Bike Trail)
 
Danube Transnational Programme:
Flagship Product 2025 (Inclusive Border Cycling)

Former Trail Angel Lisa Pirkebner accepts the prestigious World Travel Award in London in 2022 for the High Scardus Trail, alongside regional project partner Ricardo Fahrig (Albania) ©British Guild of Travel Writers

With views like this, no wonder! The Höfe Trail was named one of TIME Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places” in 2024. ©K. Dapra/Trail Angels

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