1. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org Making tourism more sustainable: International initiatives, tools, examples Herbert Hamele ECOTRANS e.V. European Network for Sustainable Tourism Development Saarbrücken/ Germany AER, PRESERVE, Brussels, 05 February 2009

2. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org 1.Integrate environmental, social and economic sustainability goals into local/regional policies and decision making processes 2.Help tourism suppliers and intermediaries to make their services more sustainable 3.Help environmentally sustainable tourism (SME) to reach the demand 4.Monitor progress and make decisions for continuous improvement Needed -Access to state of the art information on Sustainable Tourism: initiatives, tools, examples, … The central role of regions

3. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org Since October 2008 a set of “Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria” is recommended by UNWTO, UNEP, UN Foundation, CBD, Rainforest Alliance a.o. 1.The GSTC are the result of a comprehensive analysis of more than 4500 single criteria (> 60 ST guidelines, codes, certification systems) 2.The GSTC consist of four sections: Management Social - Economic Culture Environment 3.The GSTC shall give guidance to tourism suppliers (hotels, etc.) and tour operators, as well as to education bodies, destinations, regions, intermediaries, NGOs, ST related projects and initiatives, … 4.Regions: The GSTC can be used e.g. to define aims, set up an action programme, monitor progress, exchange and networking, … What does “Sustainable Tourism” mean?

4. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org A. Sustainable Management A.1. Management System A.2. Legal Compliance A.3. Employee Training A.4. Customer Satisfaction A.5. Marketing Accuracy * A.6.1. Zoning * A.6.2. Design and Siting * A.6.3. Sustainable Construction * A.6.4. Special Needs Access A.7. Interpretation B. Social/Economic B.1 Community Development B.2. Local Employment B.3 Fair-Trade B.4 Local Entrepreneurs B.5. Indigenous Communities B.6. Exploitation B.7. Equitable Hiring B.8 Employee Protection B.9. Basic Services C. Cultural Heritage C.1. Code of Behavior C.2. Historical Artifacts C.3. Protection of Sites C.4. Incorporation of Culture D. Environment D.1.1. Purchasing Policy D.1.2. Consumable Goods D.1.3. Energy Consumption D.1.4. Water Consumption D.2.1. Greenhouse Gas D.2.2. Wastewater D.2.3. Waste Management Plan D.2.4. Harmful Substances D.2.5. Other Pollutants D.3.1. Wildlife Species D.3.2. Wildlife in Captivity D.3.3. Landscaping D.3.4. Biodiversity Conservation D.3.5. Interactions with Wildlife Tourism suppliers: compliance with the GSTC?

5. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org Demand: environmental qualities of tourism

6. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org Challenge: to reduce environmental consumption Energy and water consumption in hotels in Europe Average + benchmarks / overnight stay Energy 2-3*: Av.: 90 kWh > Benchmark: 45 kWh 4-5*: Av.: 76 kWh > Benchmark: 33 kWh Water 2*: Av.: 454 l > Benchmark: 283 l 3*: Av.: 424 l > Benchmark: 210 l 4*: Av.: 335 l > Benchmark: 201 l 5*: Av.: 594 l > Benchmark: 310 l Pool: ca. 60l/overnight stay Best practice example Hotel Victoria, Freiburg 5* stars Certificates: EMAS, Viabono Input energy: 33 kWh -eco-power system -wood pellets Output CO2: 1kg Other 5* hotels: > 10kg Saving potential: > 90 % Source: Environmental initiatives by European tourism businesses, ECOTRANS/IER, 2006

7. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org Offer: Eco-certified tourism Global initiative: STSC The „Sustainable Tourism stewardship Council“ is to accredit certificates whith -Criteria in compliance with the GSTC -Reliable verification procedure (on site audit,…) Certificates for: accommodation businesses, restaurants, marinas, beaches, canoeing, local destinations, protected areas, ecotourism packages, golf courses, … All Sustainable tourism certificates on DestiNet http://destinet.ew.eea.europa.eu

8. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org “Innovation in Tourism: how to create a Tourism Learning Area” (EC Tourism Unit, 2006) e.g. set up a “TLA for Sustainable Consumption and Production” as regional online platform 1.Give easy access to existing information Stakeholders in a region: administration, NGOs, businesses, educational bodies, partnerships Aims and Topics: climate change, biodiversity, … Available Instruments: financial, certificates, control, marketing, publications, … Good practices: transport, accommodation, restaurants, activities, attractions, packages Calendar with Events, News Bulletin 2.Co-ordinate a learning and training platform to match offer & demand 3.Monitor progress of actions and exchange with other regions Challenge: continuous innovation

9. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org Online tool for regions: DestiNet Advantages Hosted by European Environment Agency Free access to quality assessed ST information Easy administration Designed for TLA SCP, exchange and networking Regions: Restricted sections available DestiNet is a UN Type II Partnership of EEA, UNWTO, UNEP, ECOTRANS registered with the UN CSD http://destinet.ew.eea.europa.eu DestiNet

10. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org Market: from the offer to the demand (Example) Tour operators Travel agencies Information & booking services Journalists Educational bodies Destinations … 200 - Hotels - Camping sites - Restaurants - Travel packages (!) e.g. Austria: Sustainable tourism policies > programmes > tools > eco-label > training > fulfil criteria > certification > use DestiNet as independent information platform > to reach the demand

11. Herbert Hamelewww.ecotrans.org Thank you for your attention! Herbert Hamele herbert.hamele@ecotrans.de ECOTRANS e.V. www.ecotrans.org DestiNet http://destinet.ew.eea.europa.eu „In future our main concern will no longer be whether we can travel to every place on earth. Our main interest will be whether it is worthwhile arriving there.“ Hermann Löns, German poet, 1908