Tourism and hospitality, with their presence in every corner of the world, have a significant impact on the environment. Hotels, as important part of tourism, should be environmentally conscious in a way that their actions minimize negative effects on the environment. Environmental management and use of eco-certificates are necessary steps to establish sustainable development of hotels. Hotel management that takes care not only of their own needs and profits, but also of social and environmental needs and the needs of future generations is a must. This paper explores the importance of eco-certificates in small hotels in the Split-Dalmatia County, it explores whether hotels are familiar with the concept of eco-certificates and what are their attitudes towards them. Also, the paper explores if the hotels implement any kind of environmental policy and practice environmental activities. The results of the research, which was made throught survey, showed that mostly all small hotels in the Split-Dalmatia County use at least some kind of environmentally friendly activities in their business. They have savings in resource, water and energy consumption, they sort waste and recycle, help the local community by working with local family farms and promote sustainable activities. Unfortunately, the research showed that only one respondent has an implemented eco-certificate. Maybe one of the reasons why this number is not higher is insufficient information about eco-certificates and this needs to be worked on. Hotels are not very willing to pay fees for eco-certification, but they are willing to invest in certain activities required for the implementation of eco-certification, which shows that there is hope that with more information being around and with possible state subsidy there could be more green hotels in Split-Dalmatia county.