The Eco certification Scheme Product Planning & Development Directorate Malta Tourism Authority 2 nd May 2003

1. Eco Labels in the EU 4. The Maltese Scheme 5. The process 6. The set up 2. From Alcudia to Malta 7. Continous Improvement Process 3. Methodology

Eco labels in the EU

Criteria of Alcudia First review First test in 12 Maltese hotels 403 guests survey in Malta Analysis Final version From Alcudia to Malta

A questionnaire with 134 standards was used to evaluate the hotel environmental performance. A semi structured questionnaire was used to discuss issues related to the eco-certification implementation.. The GM, the F&B manager and the engineer were present at differents stage of the interview. Methodology

First test in 12 hotels: positive findings The eco-certification initiative has been seen as a realistic and profitable tool to implement. The questionnaire has been seen as a valuable tool to reduce operating costs in energy, water and waste. The eco-certification process has been seen as a very good opportunity to raise environmental awareness among employees. Benchmarking with others hotels, especially with hotels from abroad, appreciated options. Information on legal and government environmental initiatives has been identified as an urgent need. There is no relevant difference between hotel categories.

First test in 12 hotels: negative findings The Environmental Management System has performed very low, which confirms the early stage in the awareness phase. There are issues in waste management that improve environmental management Information to guests has performed very low which confirm the low level of management awareness. The guest environmental awareness is not a management priority.

“A guest questionnaire was conducted with a view to evaluate perceptions on tourism and the environment”

Nowadays, tourists prefer hotels which take measures to protect the environment

In the near future, more and more tourists would prefer hotels which take measures to protect the environment

Willingness to pay extra

“Eco certified accommodation could determine the choice of hotels and possibly even the choice of the destination”

“The Eco certification scheme is one of a number of initiatives undertaken by MTA in conjunction with Eco tourism year”

“The Eco-certification will eventually be extended to the Catering sector”

Voluntary Scheme targeting the tourism accommodation sector 130 compulsory and voluntary criteria based on an established model adopted in the Balearic Islands Accreditation awarded to hotels fulfilling 65% of the criteria The Scheme

Obtaining the eco-certification in year 1 1.Hotels must fulfill the 44 compulsory criteria and a minimum of 50% of the 130 criteria. 2.One employee has to attend a one day training session and pass the exam. 3.The management has to abide to the Green Policy as established by the Green Commission. 44 Compulsory86 Recommended

2 Step 1:- Designation of coordinator for the project Step 2:- Self-assessment to ensure hotel meets criteria Step 3:- Application once required criteria are fulfilled Step 4:- Independent audit carried out and improvement plan developed Step 5:- Eco-Certification awarded for 1 year and Continuous Improvement Process begins Step 6:- On-going improvement, as well as audit and re- application on a yearly basis Process

Best practices Good Will Eco-certification Third Party audits Third party criteria Benchmarking Marketing support Technical support Continuous Improvement ISO Worlwide recognition Worlwide marketing Accreditaded third party to audit International Standard Orgnaization Document managemnt Green suppliers Internal Audits Legal compliance From Good Practices to... ISO Time and resources

Green Commission Certification Life event Support Website Knowledge base FAQEMS software TechnicalMarketingFinancial Conference Quarterly meeting Training Sub-sectorsEmployees The Set up

We will help hotels to set-up realistic targets and support them to achieve them at the lowest cost through the Continuous Improvement

1.Hotel coordinators will receive training on CIP tools 2.Certified hotels will receive a software to assist them 3.Each certified hotels will organize a monthly internal meeting 4.All ceritifed hotels will meet quaterly to share knowledge 5.Certified hotels will set up a environmental scorecard 6.Hotels will be able to benchnmark on a national and international level Continuous Improvement Process

Thank you Patrick Grixti Manager Tourism Service Providers Malta Tourism Authority