Sustainable tourism in rural areas By P.C. Galema (Pieter) in co-operation with J. van Oene (Jan) RIGA date January
Contents Overijssel - Latvia Rural matters Environment projects for accommodation tourism Milieubarometer Finally
Co-operation Overijssel - Latvia Co-operation fields: The ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Rural Tourism: Lauku Celotajs Regional tourism-development: Kurzeme (KTA) Sustainable tourism
About Overijssel - I Garden of the Netherlands 1 million inhabitants Main activities during holidays: cycling walking swimming boating (relaxing)
About Overijssel - II Accommodations hotels / guesthouses / B&B242 leisureparks (bungalows) 51 campsites295 small-scale campsites (farms)172 groupaccommodations 93 yacht basins 46
Statistic figures about tourism Number of holidays % of holidays in the Netherlands 9% Number of overnight stays Origin tourist in Overijssel 90%Netherlands 10% foreign Employment (full- and partime) people
Themes of environmental care Acidification Eutrophication Dehydration Waste Reduction
Consequences Farmers stop Small villages die Liveability of the country
Rating tourism of GNP Agriculture 4% Transport 5% Tourism 6% Occupied area Agriculture 60% Tourism 2-3% Pleading for a minister of State for tourism
Environmental projects Stimulation instead of legislation Improvement Volunteering Part of entrepreneurship
The environmental project in Overijssel (started in 1996) Scan Subsidy Group meetings Monitoring Certification (milieubarometer)
Themes: Energy Water Waste Chemicals Sustainable purchasing and building Wildlife and countryside
Theme Energy: Reduction (measurement) Efficiency Renewable sources
Theme Water: Reduction (measurement) Sources (rain/pool water) Efficiency (flow)
Theme Waste: Reduction (payment) Separation Recycling
Theme Chemicals: Disinfectants and detergents (less damage to the environment) Reduction
Theme Sustainable purchasing and building: Office equipment Sustainable renovation Sustainable building (new)
Theme Wildlife and countryside: Native regional plantation Green wall Information to the guests Profit to flora and fauna
Three stages in the environment project Stage 1: Energy, water and waste management Stage 2: Sustainable purchasing and sustainable building management Stage 3: Landscape management
Three stages in the environment project:
About landscape management Recreation companies need 30% more land Expansion only when sustainable Milieubarometer Environmental plan Profit to flora and fauna More than 140 companies participate in environmental-plan projects
Environmental plan
Overview participators environment projects In totality almost 400 campsites, bungalow parks and group- accommodations in 11 provinces.
The Milieubarometer Grow model: Bronze, Silver and Gold Milieukeur (the Gold level is acknowledged by the Dutch Competent Body) European standard (VISIT) 2002: over 200 MB
Expansion of Barometer target groups Hotels (restaurants) Small campsites (at the farm) Day trip (attraction) parks
The Milieubarometer Compulsory measures Environmental archive Information to the guests Measures of reducing energy, water and waste Optional measures Renewable sources Environmental plan Education employees Environmental activities for guests
Historical overview
Milieubarometers, in bronze, silver and gold.
Index numbers per overnight stay Water:0,20 m 3 0,10 m 3 Electricity:4,50 kWh 3,00 kWh Gas:1,00 m 3 0,60 m 3 Waste:2,00 kg1,50 kg
Motivation To be the best Profit Sustainability is a part of quality Common Subsidy / Support Philosophy
Environment example companies Now: campsite De Papillon New: outdoor park Expected: bungalow park
Tourism as a solution ? Only if: More sustainable Regulated Improvement to flora and fauna
With thanks to: Sylvia van Itegem Jan van Oene