NEWS

05. Februar 2007
Umweltleistungen im Tourismus:
Erste Benchmarks für Hotels und Campingplätze in Europa vorgestellt !

Auf dem "Reisepavillon 2007" in Hannover wurden am vergangenen Samstag erstmals internationale Kennzahlen von über 450 Beherbergungsbetrieben in 15 europäischen Ländern vorgestellt, die im Rahmen der Europäischen Projekte „TourBench“ und „SUTOUR“ erarbeitet wurden:

Mehr > Pressemitteilung (pdf, 150 kb)

more > press release (pdf, 150 kb)



The Royal Accommodation Award 2006



The Royal Awards for Sustainability - under the patronage of the Prince of Denmark and the Prince of Spain - have been established to recognise excellence and to promote examples of best practice within sustainable development.

The prize awarding ceremony of the Royal Accommodation Award 2006 took place at the Rhodes Tourism Forum addressing addressing Sustainable Tourism Development on 10 November 2006:
More than 420 delegates´ applause welcomed the five winners from Germany, Sweden, Czech Republic, and Portugal in the category:

Bed & Breakfast: Pension a Camp Javorice, Telc (CZ)
hotel/guesthouse: Hotel Mürz Wellness and Golf, Bad Füssing (DE)
camping: Campingplatz Elbsee, Aitrang (DE)
holiday homes/apartments: AlmaVerde Village and Spa, Luz Lagos (PT)
group accommodation: Gröveljöns Fjällstation, Idre (ES)

 For further information, please click here!

PRESS RELEASE (de) (en)



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REISEPAVILLON 2006

ECOTRANS EVENT
3rd February 2006, 13.30 - 15.00 hrs / Reisepavillon fairgrounds Hanover/Germany, hall 2, room Prag



Making Tourism More Sustainable - helpful instruments and examples of good practice in Europe

In 2005, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), together with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), published the guide for policy makers "Making Tourism More Sustainable", which is applicable world wide.

It is a "bible" for all decision-makers who are encouraged to be actively involved in the development of an environmentally and socially responsible tourism, which creates long-term economical benefits for businesses and destinations.

Experts have given presentations (see all presentations) and detailed (background) information about instruments and model examples in tourism in Europe with respect to the following questions:

The presentation has been of special interest for destinations, decision-makers in administrations, tourism suppliers and academics.

Speakers:
Herbert Hamele, ECOTRANS
Eugenio Yunis, Sustainable Development of Tourism, UNWTO
Manfred Pils, member of the EU "Tourism Sustainability Group"
Dr. Christian Baumgartner, Nature Friends International
Peter Zimmer, FUTOUR
Gordon Sillence, Janela Alberta 21
Marion Hammerl, Bodensee-Stiftung
Dagmar Diwok, ACTA

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Reisepavillion - Presseartikel
Das gute Gewissen ist immer im Gepäck
Von Gerhard Fitzthum
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European Specialist Conference, Vienna/AT
"Ecologically Sound Travel in Europe. Challenges and Innovations Facing Environment, Transport and Tourism"
30. - 31. Jänner 2006 in Vienna/Austria


VISIT
Voluntary Initiatives for Sustainability in Tourism

 

Europäischer Preis für Nachhaltigen Tourismus
(Erstmalige Vergabe 2003)
 ECOTRANS / VISIT: 1. Preisträger
in der Kategorie "Private Initiativen"

European Prize for Sustainable Tourism
1st edition 2003
ECOTRANS with its project VISIT:
1st WINNER in the category "private initiatives"

 

 

 

 

 

Europäischer Preis für Nachhaltigen Tourismus
"Carmen Diaz de Rivera"
Erstmalige Vergabe: 2003

1. Preis in der Kategorie "Private Initiativen":
ECOTRANS e.V. mit dem Projekt VISIT


Am 25. März 2003 erhielt ECOTRANS die Nachricht, dass das Europäische Netzwerk ECOTRANS zusammen mit dem Projekt VISIT den erstmals vergebenen "Europäischen Preis für Nachhaltigen Tourismus" gewonnen hat. Die Preisverleihung fand am 26. März 2003 in der Festhalle im Rathaus der Stadt Calviá statt.

Mit einem Schreiben an den Präsidenten der Regionalregierung der Balearischen Inseln, Herrn Francesc Antich, an den Tourismusminister der Balearen, an die Bürgermeisterin von Calviá und an alle Teilnehmer der Preiszeremonie brachte Herbert Hamele. Präsident von ECOTRANS, seine Dankbarkeit über den gewonnenen Preis zum Ausdruck:

"Der Europäische Preis für nachhaltigen Tourismus ist für uns eine wertvolle Anerkennung unserer 10jährigen Arbeit als europäisches Netzwerk: Erst durch das wachsende Verständnis zwischen unseren Mitgliedern konnten wir zahlreiche und dauerhafte Kontakte zu Hunderten von beispielhaften Projekten und Initiativen weltweit knüpfen". Viele dieser Beispiele stellt ECOTRANS mit seiner Datenbank ECO-TIP im Internet dem Fachpublikum vor. "Mit diesem Verständnis konnte ein so ambitioniertes Projekt wie VISIT konzipiert und erfolgreich auf den Weg gebracht werden."

"Dieser Preis ist gleichzeitig eine hohe Anerkennung der Zusammenarbeit aller am Projekt VISIT beteiligten Ecolabels. Zusammen mit seinen Projektpartnern hat ECOTRANS eine Plattform für die Zusammenarbeit zwischen europäischen Umweltzeichen aufgebaut. Die Arbeit der in VISIT engagierten Organisationen besteht darin, eine breite Grundlage für nachhaltigen Tourismus in Europa zu schaffen. Ein weiteres Ziel ist, den Tourismusmarkt als Ganzes in Richtung Nachhaltigkeit zu bewegen. Daher bietet jedes der Umweltzeichen dem Urlauber eine breite Palette an zertifizierten nachhaltigen Produkten an.

Der Preis bedeutet darüber hinaus eine Ermutigung für uns und für viele andere, die innerhalb Europas im Bereich des nachhaltigen Tourismus tätig sind. Alle engagierten Initiativen sollten sich VISIT oder Netzwerken wie ECOTRANS anschließen, um noch stärker die damit verbundenen Synergieeffekte solchen Plattformen wie nützen zu können. Denn zusammen erreichen wir mehr!"

Herbert Hamele unterstreicht, dass die Stadt Calviá, mit ihrer Agenda 21, und die Regierung der Balearen, mit Maßnahmen wie z.B. der vieldiskutierten "Ecotaxa" Mut und Ausdauer zeigen, die notwendig sind, um langfristig eine nachhaltige Entwicklung zu etablieren. "Es ist wichtig in einer weltweit führenden Tourismusregion die richtigen Weichen für eine umweltverträgliche, sozial verantwortliche und wirtschaftlich sinnvolle Entwicklung zu stellen. Mit diesem Engagement nehmen Sie die Vorbildfunktion für viele andere Regionen wahr. Zu dieser außergewöhnlichen Leistung gratulieren wir Ihnen herzlich !" ECOTRANS wird die Entwicklungen in Calvía und der "Ecotaxa" mit großem Interesse weiter verfolgen. "Wir wünschen Ihnen auf diesem Weg viel Erfolg für Ihre Initiative und würden uns sehr freuen, wenn wir als Europäisches Expertennetz auch zu Ihrer Arbeit etwas beitragen könnten, z.B. mit einer gemeinsamen Zukunftswerkstatt "Balearen 2013".

In Namen aller ECOTRANS Mitglieder und von allen VISIT Partnern und Umweltzeichen bedankt sich der Vorsitzende von ECOTRANS herzlich für die Auszeichnung und beendet seinen Brief mit einem Zitat von Nelson Mandela:

"A vision without action is just a dream.
Action without vision is just a waste of time.
A vision with action is able to change the world !"


More information on the European Prize on Sustainable Tourism and www.tourism-observatory.org
ECOTRANS: www.ecotrans.org · VISIT initiative: www.yourvisit.info

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European Prize for Sustainable Tourism
„Carmen Diaz de Rivera“
1st edition 2003

ECOTRANS e.V. with the VISIT-project:
1st winner in category “private initiatives”

On 25th March 2003 ECOTRANS received the message that the European ECOTRANS network, along with the VISIT Project, has been honoured with the 1st edition of the “European Prize for Sustainable Tourism”. The Award Ceremony took place in the Exhibition Hall of the Calvià City Council on 26th March 2003.

With his letter to the president of the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands Mr. Francesc Antich, the Regional Minister of Tourism and the Major of Calviá and the audience of the ceremony Herbert Hamele - chairman of ECOTRANS, expressed his gratefulness at winning this Award:

“The prize means the recognition of ten years’ hard work as a European Network. The increasing understanding between the members of ECOTRANS has allowed them to establish numerous and lasting contacts with hundreds of exemplary initiatives and projects throughout the world, many of them performed on ECO-TIP, on the Internet. Without this understanding, it would have been impossible to conceive of - or launch - a project as ambitious as the VISIT Project. This Award also signifies a high degree of recognition for the co-operation between all the Eco-labels working together in the VISIT Project. Together with its project partners, ECOTRANS has established a platform for co-operation between all European eco-labels. The aim of co-operation in the VISIT platform is to create a broad base for Sustainable Tourism Development in Europe. A further goal is to direct the tourism market as a whole towards sustainability. Therefore each of the eco-labels offers a broad range of certified, sustainable products to the tourist. As a whole, the Prize provides great encouragement for us, and for the many others who are working to improve the sustainability of tourism in Europe. All committed initiatives should join together in such platforms as VISIT, or networks like ECOTRANS, in order to take full advantage of the synergy effects. Together we are stronger !”

Herbert Hamele underlines that the municipality of Calviá - with its Agenda 21, and the Government of the Balearic Islands - with measures that have been strongly debated and discussed such as, for example, the “Ecotaxa” - show the courage and endurance that are necessary to establish long-term sustainable development. “It is important for world’s leading tourism destinations to set the course towards an environmentally-friendly, socially responsible and economically profitable way of developing tourism. Through their engagement, both the municipality of Calviá, as well as the Government of the Balearic Islands, have taken a leading role for many other tourism destinations. We congratulate both of them for their extraordinary achievements !” ECOTRANS will follow the future developments in Calviá, and concerning the “Ecotaxa”, with great interest. “We would like to wish both of them good luck, and we, as a European network of experts, would be pleased to support your work. For example, we could join forces, and arrange a Workshop on the ‘Balearic Islands 2013’”.

In the name of all members and of all VISIT partners and Ecolabels the chairman of ECOTRANS thanks very much for the Award and concludes with a word from Nelson Mandela:

“A vision without action is just a dream.
Action without vision is just a waste of time.
A vision with action is able to change the world !”

More information on the European Prize on Sustainable Tourism and www.tourism-observatory.org
ECOTRANS: www.ecotrans.org; VISIT initiative: www.yourvisit.info

Javier Bustamente (city of Calviá) presents the letter from Herbert Hamele (ECOTRANS)
to participants of the the Award Ceremony.

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ITB Berlin 7 March 2003


A vision without action is just a dream


ECOTRANS presents model projects and actions for sustainable future tourism development in Europe.

During the down-to-earth world summit on sustainability of last September in Johannesburg, professor Klaus Töpfer, managing director of the United Nations Environmental Program, demanded that words should no longer be words, but they should become verifiable and self accountable actions. At this years International Tourism Fair ITB in Berlin ECOTRANS, the international network for sustainable tourism development, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, presented 10 encouraging and achievable targets on sustainability for the coming ten years.

Accountable Suppliers and Networks
Up till now there is only one Tourism Operator in Europe that adopted the European Eco-Management Audit Scheme (EMAS) and linked it to its own quality system in a successful way: Studiosus Reisen in Germany. 80% of all products that are used to prepare the dishes and drinks in Rhönshafhotel "Krone" are produced in the local surroundings (radius of 20 km) of the hotel. Visitors even seem to prefer the local Apple Sherry over the imported drinks. And the Health Spa Nieheim shows that a small cheese as a cornerstone in the tourism concept can create a real exiting atmosphere.

Engaged suppliers come together to achieve even more: ECOCAMPING has over 50 member campsites throughout Germany at this particular moment. The owners of the campsites are continuously busy to improve the environmental quality of their sites. The European Network for Sustainable Transport (NETS) shows that arriving to a destination without the use of a car can be worth a try. NETS increased the number of arrivals by train in Werfenweng/Salzburger Land with 300%. And then there is the world wide Project LIVING LAKES. For this project several partners take concrete steps to ensure biodiversity and recuperation quality in and in the surroundings of 23 Lakes throughout the world.

VISIT - Eco-label for tourism and its offers
"Caring for the environment is caring for the visitor". With this slogan ten leading eco-labels have united their forces and are now co-operating in the VISIT project. They all fulfil the VISIT Standard for demanding and reliable eco-labels throughout Europe. This year the VISIT Holiday Guide with 1000 awarded Hotels and Campsites from Scotland to Italy was published for the first time (www.yourvisit.info).

European Agenda 21 and measurable Indicators for Target areas
In order to increase the number of Best Practise examples an "European Agenda 21 for Tourism" should point in a clear direction. Reinhard Klein from the European Commission DG Enterprise department of tourism, expresses the responsibility of the tourism branch itself: environmentally friendly products should be given preference in the development stage, and also be bought and sold with a clear sign to its consumer. It will absolutely be worth the investment since German tourists expect high environmental quality - no matter where they are travelling.
Manfred Pils, general secretary of the International Nature Friends, proposes to process a catalogue with indicators for holiday destinations, which can be used to measure ecological, economical and socio-cultural developments of the destinations year after year.

10 stimulating "Messages from the ITB 2013"

During the coming 10 years ECOTRANS is especially interested in contributing to the following "ten messages on 'sustainable tourism' at the ITB 2013":

  1. The world wide co-operation of international networks has led to several public-private partnerships with obliging commitments. This would not have been achieved without the special commitment of the initiative "Light on Sustainable Development" (www.monitoring-globalisation.net).
  2. After the announcement and acceptation of the "European Agenda 21 for tourism" finally politicians, tourism suppliers and society are co-operating in the fight for sustainability.
  3. 30% of all holiday destinations are putting into practice "Integrated Quality Management" and apart from that take part in the "European Monitoring for Sustainable Development".
  4. The national organisations of Tour Operators in Europe have obliged themselves and their members to a continuing increase of the percentage of "Green Holiday Trips", already 20% of all package deals are "green".
  5. The participation on the European Monitoring and Benchmarking System for small and middle size tourism companies "Tourbench" is paying off: in the past 5 years 30% off all businesses have reduced their environmental consumption and environmental costs with over 20%.
  6. 20% of all leisure and tourism businesses from Finland to Portugal are in the possession of the desired EMAS certification of the European Union. With this certificate they are not only given preferential treatment by their partners, but also by the insurance companies.
  7. Within 10 years from 1 to 10: 10% of all tourist accommodations in Europe are awarded with a national or international eco-label.
  8. All certifications for "green" leisure and tourism offers have joined the international VISIT platform. All together they were able to improve all frame-conditions of their work during the past ten years.
  9. "The best vacation is..." After the overwhelming support of mass media for an international image campaign finally Tour Operators and Booking Services have put "the Green Travel Market" on the first place in their marketing strategies.
  10. Environmentally friendly, socially trustworthy and economically beneficial: the targets and contents of sustainable tourism supplies and travel conducts have been integrated in all educational systems and plans.

With these statements (or similar ones) being reality by the year 2013, ECOTRANS will be able to draw the following cheerful conclusion for its 20th anniversary:
"Thanks to many actions our vision has become more reality than a nightmare".

For further information please contact:

Mr. Herbert Hamele
Chairman of ECOTRANS, Co-ordinator of VISIT
Futterstrasse 17-19, 66111 Saarbrücken, Germany
Telephone: 0049 - (0)681 - 37 46 79
herbert.hamele@ecotrans.de www.ecotrans.de

Ecotrans is a European Network with currently 25 experts and organisation members throughout 12 European countries. They all are engaged with subjects related to tourism, regional development and the environment, so that with practical attempts and initiatives long-term sustainable and sustainable tourism can be developed. This charitable and independent organisation was found on the ITB in 1993.

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