About this Publication
Foreword
Europe
The European Union
Destinations
Table: core set of indicators
Eco-labelling tourism
The tourism market
The VISIT approach
The VISIT Standard
The VISIT eco-labels
The VISIT message
Easy access to eco-labelled products
The VISIT Association
Outlook 2010
Word of thanks

The VISIT eco-labels

Potential for harmonisation: VISIT eco-labels & the EU Flower

The VISIT eco-labels (for accommodation) have intensively collaborate with each other, and are developing relation with other initiatives for sustainable tourism, including the European Eco-label for tourist accommodation service (EU Flower).

The basis of joint efforts is a significant group of common criteria and a highly reliable verification procedure of all schemes.

Criteria overlap :

• 9 out of 11 VISIT eco-labels for accommodation already require same or similar criteria for 23 different environmental issues. These aspects also form part of the EU Flower.
• This “criteria overlap” allows the VISIT eco-labels and the EU Flower to agree on joint targets for the next revision of their criteria with the aim to have; for example, in 2008 a set of 20 mandatory criteria implemented at more than 1000 certified hotels and camping sites in Europe.
• This “common environmental quality” level should be communicated as added value by the tour operators and promotion and marketing organisation.

Verification procedure :

• The VISIT standard requires an “on-site visit” as part of the verification audit, at least once every 3 years. The degree of detail differs from scheme to scheme. The EU Flower does not yet make it obligatory, but recommends on-site audits to the national competent bodies, which are responsible for the verification.
• All the schemes wish to limit the cost – and thus the fee for the applicants. The experiences with the effectiveness and control of hundreds of environmental criteria should allow the eco-labels to agree on a short list of those criteria, which in any case are controlled on-site. Such a short list may minimise the audit cost without reducing the credibility of the results.
• On a national level the competent bodies responsible for the EU Flower can collab­orate with the VISIT eco-labels: such as linking auditing and marketing activities. For the applicant this would mean, limited cost and time and “two for one” benefits.

Promotion:

• Each eco-label has its own promotion and marketing approach. Based on a set of common criteria for accommodation services and with focus on their individual strengths, the VISIT eco-labels and the EU Flower, should have joint promotion for mutual benefits.

|