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VISIT A Joint Initiative on Tourism Ecolabels in Europe Naut Kusters European Centre for Eco and Agro Tourism (ECEAT). The European labels for sustainable tourism. 40 +Ecolabels in Europe. Since the late eigthies Diverse background and geography
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VISIT A Joint Initiative on Tourism Ecolabels in Europe Naut Kusters European Centre for Eco and Agro Tourism (ECEAT)
The European labels for sustainable tourism 40 +Ecolabels in Europe... • Since the late eigthies • Diverse background and geography • Different criteria and procedures for certification
Moving the market towards sustainability • Consumer demand exists: • Environment friendly accommodation: 41% • Low traffic levels and good public transport: 35 % • Certified products in travel catalogues: 19 % • German Travel Analysis
Moving the market towards sustainability • Tour operators demand: • Responsible entrepreneurship • Pressure from society • Pressure from host country (Alps) • Influence of nature- and environmental organisations • Environment = quality + • It pays to go green • Clean environment is precondition for tourism
The European labels for sustainable tourism • Marketing not succesfull: • Reliability not clear • Too many labels: confusing for consumers • Lack of information and overview • No funding and marketing expertise with ecolabels • Tour Operators lack capacity to invest in sustainable product development
The European labels for sustainable tourism • VISIT, Voluntary Initiatives for Sustainability in Tourism • 4 goals: • Common Basic Standard • European roof-organisation • Joint image campaign • Marketing of certified products
Requirements for VISIT Ecolabels Environment: • Protection of Nature and landscape • Use of eco-friendly products • Low water and energy consumption • Use of sustainable energy • Reduction and recycling of waste • Public Transport, soft mobility Management: • Basic ISO norms • Environmental management • Clear minimum standards • Independent inspection: 1-3 years • Monitoring of effects • Training of staff, information to guests
Moving the market towards sustainability Les Clefs Vertes - the French ecolabel for campsites Blue Flag - for a clean beach holiday Green Globe 21 - a global certificate Luxemburg - the luxembourg ecolabel for accommodation Green Tourism Business Scheme - green tourism in Schotland The Netherlands - the environmental barometer Den Groenne Noegle - The green keyin Denmark • Scandinavia - the “nordic swan” for hotels Legambiente Turismo - recommened by Italian nature organisations • Austria - the Austrian ecolabel
The European labels for sustainable tourism • Roof organisation • Accreditation organisation for ST initiatives • Accommodations, destinations, transport,…. • Accreditation committee for ecolabels • Members: All types of Tourism Ecolabels • Advisors: Consumer & Environment & Tourism Org. • Linking with global Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council initiative
joint image and promotion Campaign • Joint image campaign”Caring for the Environment ... ...is Caring for the Visitor” • 2002: contribution to the International Ecotourism Year • Advertisement page and articles in magazines • Stand and exhibition at fairs • Dissemination of brochures, mini cards • Presentations and discussions at conferences, workshops, international events • Internet: www.yourvisit.infomakes the difference”
VISIT Holiday Guide • Standardised questionnaire and d-base • Inventory of 1000+ accommodation and other certified products (beaches, marinas, destinations, etc.) • Short print version with 100 appetisers, all addresses • 2003: web site for free search with map of Europe • Launch at RP 2003 • Links from/to partners’ & supporters’ web site • Integration of VISIT products into web-site Eco-tour (NFI)
The European labels for sustainable tourism • Marketing - tour operators • Www.greentravelmarket.info • Launched in 2003 • Matching tour operators with sustainable products • Global: products and market • 500 + Tour Operators • Matchmakers • Marketing information • Visits of fairs
The European labels for sustainable tourism • Initiators : • ECEAT • ECOTRANS • NFI • ARPA • Reisepavillon • 30 Supporters: • European Environmental Agency • German alliance of touroperators • IUCN + WWF Netherlands • ANWB / ADAC • European Travel Commission • Travel Unie
The European labels for sustainable tourism www.yourvisit.info makes the difference