The European Eco-label EU Ecolabel for tourist accommodation services Martin Büchele European Commission, DG Environment, G2

What is the EU Ecolabel? Establishes EU-wide environmental standards for products and services Voluntary EU environmental policy tool – implementation is joint responsibility of the Commission and the Member States Criteria development in a transparent process involving the Commission, the Parliament, the Member States and stakeholders

What is the EU Ecolabel? Benchmark for companies Reliable information for consumers More than 20 product groups covered Services: tourist accomodations and campsites

Scope of application since 2003 for tourist accommodation service... sheltered overnight accommodation in appropriately equipped rooms including at least one bed since 2005 for campsite services

EU Ecolabel at present At present (summer 2007) more than 90 hotels and more than 20 campsites licensed in Europe

Europes first EU Eco-labelled hotel Sunwing Resort Kallithea, Greece Family Resort hotel in Rhodes Awarded with EU Eco-label since April 2003

Environmental focus Energy and water saving Use of renewable resources Staff training Information for guests No dangerous chemical substances Environmental procurement Local food products

How to get the EU Eco-label Get in contact with your Competent Body Application documents Eco-Check Meet open requirements of criteria Verification and Payment of application fee Official award Right to use the brand for your marketing

The EU Eco-label Benefits of implementation -What is the benefit for the hotel -What do the guests say -Marketing benefits -Cost benefits – best practice

What is the benefit for a hotel? EU-wide brand with strong and reliable criteria Common standard in Europe Signal for quality and environmental care at a glance Message: we care for the environment and health EU-wide marketing support National marketing support Positive cost-benefit-ratio: finding saving potentials during the application procedure

What do guests say? Surveys in different countries indicate that many guests really care about environmentally-friendly accommodations and the quality of the environment and nature at their holiday destinations.

Experience with EU Eco-label EU Ecolabel since January 2005 Hotel Jardim Atlântico How to save consumption (money) without compromising the quality

consumption per night per person Examples Average of similar resort hotels on Madeira island Fresh water364 lt289 lt283 lt267 lt 480 – 1,170 lt Energy17,00 Kw10,53 Kw8,89 Kw9.36 kw 17,8 - 22,87 Kw Gas1,95 Kg1,09 Kg0,94 Kg0.81 kg1,15 - 2,07 Kg Solid waste2,25 Kg1,16 Kg0,85 Kg0.80 kg 2,15 - 3,55 Kg Hotel Jardim: Saving examples

Where we want to go together is … … towards a sustainable development of tourism industry in harmony with nature by means of a strong Europe-wide EU Ecolabel.

Martin Büchele European Commission DG Environment, G2 Tel.: