Sustainability certification in tourism

Sustainability certification is instrument for protection of the environment and resource efficiency in tourism sector. Moreover, certification contributes to combating climate change by decreasing greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions. Sustainability certification leads to the improved quality of services and guarantee experience of the destination, while preserving natural and cultural surroundings.

There is number of tourism certification schemes at national, regional and global level. The most valuable are those which are in line with ISO standards and widely recognized criteria of Global Council for Sustainable Tourism. It is important to mention that holding of certificate brings multiple benefits, most notably savings of the operational costs to the tourism entrepreneurs, further marketing advantages in highly competitive sector as well as improvement of the tourism image of the particular destination.

Number of criteria must be fulfilled to be awarded with ecological certificate: these are related to the: environmental protection principles and policy, cooperation with local communities, permanent staff trainings, joint actions with guests and visitors, efficient use of energy and water, sustainable transport measures and waste generation reduction. 

Ecological certification is efficient instrument of environmentally responsible operating in the tourism sector, particularly for hotels and apartments. There are clear benefits of eco-certification, such as:

1) increase the performance of accommodation facilities in terms of environmental protection;

2) efficient reduction of operating costs;

3) higher reputation among tourists and clients;

4) marketing benefits for better positioning on global map.

Project analysis  confirmed relevance of further introduction of Travelife and EU Eco Label certification schemes in Montenegro

Travelife - leading training, management and certification initiative for tourism companies committed to reach sustainability. Travelife is internationally recognized certification scheme, spread to more than 1,400 accommodations. The criteria for reaching the certificate are divided into 4 thematic groups: a) general management; b) environmental protection; c) labor rights, human right and cooperation with local communities and d) conditions in supply chain (vendors and guest).

It is important to highlight that leading tour operators such as TUI Travel, Thomas Cook, Neckermann increase demands for reaching i.a. Travelife certificate. Members of Travelife community have wide support through promotion at global platforms, such as booking.com and Expedia.

EU Ecolabel – considered as Europe's official environmental label. This scheme was established in 1992 by an EU Regulation, with more then 500 accommodations across Europe having this green stamp. It aims to help users and tourists to easily identify products and services which are less damaging to the environment. 

Putting the EU Ecolabel on tourist accommodation means that it has the following assets: a) limited energy consumption; b) limited water consumption; c) reduce waste production; d) preferring the use of renewable resources; and e) promoting environmental education and communication with employees, guests and partners.

EU Eco Label is appropriate for smaller accommodations and campsites, which practice individual and online booking.   

What we offer to the tourism accommodation sector:

1. Advisory services to the managers and responsible staff of the tourism accommodations in order to align with the listed certificate criteria; including technical visits, providing of the forms and templates and best practices.
2. Co-financing of the certification process costs, covering auditing costs, while awarded accommodation facilities will have to pay annual fees (2 years for Travelife and up to 5 years for EU Ecolabel).
3. Marketing and promotional support through local and national tourism promotional entities, events, traditional and social media. 

We are looking forward to your interest and initiative to join growing family of eco certified accommodation. For more information and cooperation please contact Viktor Subotić, Project Coordinator, viktor.subotic@undp.org.   

For detail information, please read the brochure below: