Tourism2030 - Europe

European tools for SME Sustainability

2022-07-10T12:21:25Z

Climate Change topic tools

European Policy for the Development of Sustainable Tourism

2022-11-12T16:54:22Z

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European Chapter

Gordon Sillence, Cinzia de Marzo and Herbert Hamele

Policy Guidelines and Strategies for the Development of Sustainable Tourism

The European Union has positioned itself as a global leader in sustainable tourism, but it is their overall sustainable development strategies that provide an overarching policy framework for the European tourism sector to be developed in a sustainable and responsible manner. This report chapter restricts itself to identifying those policies that specifically relate to MSME (Micro Small and Medium Enterprise) sustainability at European level. Furthermore, it takes into account the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and its devastation of the industry, seeking to emphasise practical measures tourism stakeholders can take to support the European MSME transition from unsustainable practices to greener and more socially equitable economic performance.

Owing to the many and diverse sectoral and thematic issues related to sustainable tourism, relevant policy guidelines and strategies are produced by several directorates, following almost two decades of economic, environmental and culturally oriented policy lines that link the EU to the UN global agenda for sustainable development (originally conceived as Agenda 21 in 1992 and now reformulated in 2015 as the 2030 Agenda with is widely published 17 Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs]). Europe has embraced these goals and strives to reflect them in the renewal of existing policies that are applicable to the current socio- economic climate.

For the purposes of this MSME-focused report, the EU’s contemporary overarching guidelines and strategies are best viewed via the implementation of three current key pillars of EU policy interventions at this point of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, namely:

the European support for the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,
the European Green Deal and
the EU’s Post-COVID-19 Recovery

All three give guidance to member states on how national stakeholders apply the EU’s structural funds set aside for European regional development, and other EU sector- or thematic-specific programmes which have been fully augmented by the EUs socio-economic support strategies for its sectors, regions and citizens.

Additionally, there are several cross-cutting sectoral and thematic policies that affect tourism SME recovery opportunities, and readers of this report should be aware of the multiple sustainability implementation opportunities of combining tourism with all other economic sectors in order to use sustainable tourism development as a vector of overall sustainable development. Policies for tourism sustainability can involve key regional policies as well as sector and thematic issues. The following list offers a non-exhaustive range of policy areas that can be combined with planning and implementing sustainable tourism activity.

Sectoral

Agriculture farming and food policy

Communications - digital economy ICT (Information and Communications Technology)
Construction – built environment and spatial planning
Energy – renewables
Transport – inter modal systems
Waste management - circular economy
Education and training for entrepreneurial development – EU knowledge economy

Thematic

Environmental concerns regarding pollution, climate change and biodiversity,
Labelling and certification for sustainability
Social inclusiveness
Trans-boundary developments in the EU

A selection of policies and initiatives covering these issues are highlighted in more detail in the following section on activities and instruments for sustainable tourism, where this report attempts to bring together EU guidance that will allow tourism SMEs to recover from the sudden and unforeseen collapse of the sector in March 2019 at the outset of the global pandemic, when border closers, citizen lock downs and restrictions. Knowledge of such policies will provide greater insight into how to shape regional economies and sector development in the coming decade in a more coherent, joined up manner.

Key Stakeholders

This policy guidance is aimed at those with an interest in the sustainable development of tourism, i.e. the stakeholders in the industries and destinations where tourism takes place. At the heart of tourism sustainability are the tourism related MSMEs themselves, which are centreed in but not confined to the tourism sector alone, as, for example, food suppliers, energy providers, transport companies, etc, are all connected to tourism sector development. Therefore, it is useful to take a territorial as well as sectoral approach to identifying which stakeholders are key to boosting tourism SME sustainability, and a cross-section of destination stakeholders provide the mosaic of activities that EU policy targets.

Importantly in this mix of stakeholder interests, given the nature of the task of sustainable development implementation and how it has been defined by the COSME process, sustainability information providers in the training and education sectors must be included in such a listing, alongside private and public sector business support organizations. To include such a diverse grouping of actors, the ETGG Going Green 2030 project has defined a tourism SCP certification cluster development methodology that identifies such stakeholders and brings them together at the appropriate territorial level.

The following generic listing of stakeholders reflects those public institutions and organizations who would best endorse and represent such a cluster at the EU level.

EU Commission (DG Growth, DG Regio, DG Environment, DG Mare, DG Education and Culture, DG Clima, DG Connect, DG Transport

Regional Policy Macro regions (Adriatic and Ionian, Baltic, Danube, Alpine) and other related policies such as Mediterranean, EaP countries (Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia) and Black Sea area.

Country Level

National Economic Ministries
National Environmental and ecological transition Ministries
National Training & Education systems
National Ministries of technology and digital transition
Protected Area Management Bodies
Certification bodies (public and private)
National Councils for Sustainable development
Regional Coordinating Committees
Local Authorities
Chambers of commerce
MSMEs
Travelers and visitors
Researchers, experts, consultants,
NGOs

Specifically, the following bodies reflect the European stakeholder dealing with different type of tourism (sustainable, rural, maritime, cultural, eco-tourism, accessible, wellness &spa, nautical, city and transport) across Europe, which can be complementary with the others listing above:

European Travel Commission – ETC (lead of European Tourism Manifesto)
European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations – ECTAA
European tourism association – ETOA
EUROCHAMBRES
Professional Association of experienced Tour Managers – IATM
The European Technology and Travel Services Association – ETTSAµ
European Network for rural development- ENRD
EUROGITES
European Network for accessible tourism- ENAT
European Alliance for Responsible Tourism and Hospitality – EARTH
OITS – Organisation international du tourisme social
European SPA association- ESPA
Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions - CPRM
Cruise Lines International associations- CLIA
Insular European network of chambers of commerce- INSULEUR
Baltic Sea Tourism Forum
FARNET
Observatory on tourism for islands economy- OTIE
EUROPA NOSTRA
International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism – IGCAT
European Cultural Tourism Network - ECTN
EUROCITIES
IRU
The European Cycle route network- EUROVELO
EUROPARC FEDERATION
Network of european Regions for a Sustainable and Competitive Tourism- NECSTOUR
MEDPAN (Mediterranean Protected Area Network)

Activities and Instruments for sustainable tourism at European Level

The following section identifies and lists key policies that can be used by destination and business administrators and civil society to formulate national, regional and local approaches to MSME support. The name, source, date, reference, and a brief description are given for each policy.

COVID-19 Recovery

Name of Policy: Establishing a European Union Recovery Instrument to support the recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis

Source of Policy: Council Regulation Date of publication: 14.12.2020 URL link to policy source

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘The support under the instrument established by this Regulation (the ‘Instrument’) should in particular focus on measures to restore labour markets and social protection as well as health care systems, to reinvigorate potential for sustainable growth and employment and support their transition towards a green and digital economy, to provide support to businesses affected by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as support for investment in activities that are essential for strengthening sustainable growth in the Union including direct financial investment in enterprises, measures for research and innovation in response to the COVID-19 crisis, for capacity building at Union level to enhance future crisis preparedness, for maintaining efforts to ensure a just transition to a climate-neutral economy, and support for agriculture and development in rural areas in addressing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.’

This plan aligns all the following instruments and polices to meet the immediate pandemic crisis whilst also continuing to develop medium- and long-term sustainability through the following policies:

Sustainable Development Policies

Name of Policy: Next steps for a sustainable European future: European action for sustainability

Source of Policy: Commission Communication

Date of publication: 22.11.2016

URL link to policy source: COM (2016)739

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘The circular economy (SDG 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) offers a transformative agenda with significant new jobs and growth potential and stimulating sustainable consumption and production patterns. Focus on resource efficiency and minimising waste in a context of rapid global resource depletion gives the EU a competitive edge and stimulates innovation. It creates local jobs, at all skills levels and with opportunities for social integration. The transition to the circular economy offers a chance for Europe to modernise its economy, making it more future proof, green and competitive.’

Name of Policy: Key European action supporting the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals

Source of Policy: Commission Staff Working document

Date of publication: 22.11.2016

URL link to policy source: SWD (2016) 390 final

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘With its circular economy package, the EU aims to address economic and environmental concerns by maximizing efficiency in the use of resources, covering the whole value chain and through innovation, thereby enabling the development of new markets and business models. As such it contributes to sustainable economic growth.’

NB The overarching sustainable development policy line has recently been updated in the EU Sustainable development report 2020

Name of Policy: Setting up the multi-stakeholder platform on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU

Source of Policy: Commission Decision

Date of publication: 22.05.2017

URL link to policy source: C (2017) 2941 final

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘The multi stakeholder platform provide a forum for exchange of experience and best practice on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals across sectors and at local, regional, national and Union level, where stakeholders can engage in debates about sustainable development and provide information about related successful initiatives, mobilising expertise of key sectors.’

Environmental Policies

Name of Policy: The European Green Deal Source of Policy: Commission Communication Date of publication: 11.12.2019

URL link to policy source: COM (2019) 640 final

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘The EU has the collective ability to transform its economy and society to put it on a more sustainable path. It can build on its strengths as a global leader on climate and environmental measures, consumer protection, and workers’ rights. While the circular economy action plan will guide the transition of all sectors, action will focus in particular on resource-intensive sectors such as textiles (including tourism), construction, electronics and plastics. Reliable, comparable and verifiable information also plays an important part in enabling buyers to make more sustainable decisions and reduces the risk of ‘green washing’. Companies making ‘green claims’ should substantiate these against a standard methodology to assess their impact on the environment, setting circular economy standards, including efficiency standards and standards for less waste and greater re-use. An expansive view of circularity might suggest that it comprises transformations towards sustainable energy and jobs as well as towards sustainable food, land and ocean. The Circular Economy Action Plan sets the right priorities covering product design, production, marketing, waste and recycling. It aims to integrate a broad range of existing policy instruments, including the Eco-design Directive, the EU Ecolabel, and EU Green Public Procurement criteria.’

Name of Policy: Closing the loop - An EU action plan for the Circular Economy

Source of Policy: European Commission Communication

Date of publication: 02.02.2015

URL link to policy source: COM (2015) 614 final

Brief description in relation to MSME green development

‘The circular economy will boost the EU's competitiveness by protecting businesses against scarcity of resources and volatile prices, helping to create new business opportunities and innovative, more efficient ways of producing and consuming. Food waste takes place all along the value chain: during production and distribution, in shops, restaurants, catering facilities, and at home. Addressing the measurement issue is an important step towards a better understanding of the problem, a coherent monitoring and reporting as well as effective exchange of good practices across the EU. Awareness campaigns are needed to change behaviour. The Commission supports awareness raising at national, regional and local levels and the dissemination of good practices in food waste prevention.’

Climate Change & Tourism

Name of Policy: Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition investing in a climate-neutral future for the benefit of our people

Source of Policy: Commission Communication

Date of publication: 17.09.2020

URL link to policy source: COM (2020) 562 final

Brief description in relation to MSME green development

Achieving 55% greenhouse gas emissions reductions will require actions in all sectors, including tourism. EU policies have been put in place, or are being reoriented to contribute to the ‘do no harm’ principle and the transition to climate neutrality. Mainstreaming of climate policy objectives into other EU policies is a key enabler and will allow for an inclusive transformation based on a just transition. EU citizens, businesses and social partners require increased certainty and predictability on the pathway towards climate neutrality. Therefore, the Commission is amending its proposal for the first European Climate Law today, adding a 2030 target of at least 55% net greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to 1990.

Name of Policy: Climate friendly travel

Source of Policy: Annual ambitious report: Baseline 2020 for climate neutral 2050

Date of publication: September 2019

URL link to policy source

Brief description in relation to MSME green development

‘To drive the agenda forward, goals and ambitions at the global and sector level are essential. With this in mind, SUNx will produce a Registry of Climate Friendly Travel – an inventory of climate neutrality systems used by the international community generally and by Travel & Tourism organisations specifically to move to a 1.5°C target in 2050. The Registry will show community and company plans for greenhouse gas reduction as well as changes over time while the annual report will highlight good practice examples of systems and programmes.

Name of Policy: A Clean Planet for all A European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy

Source of Policy: Commission Communication

Date of publication: 28.11.2018

URL link to policy source: COM (2018) 773 final

Brief description in relation to SME green development

The transition also requires further scaling-up of technological innovations in energy, buildings, transport, industry and agriculture sectors. It can be accelerated by breakthroughs in digitalisation, information and communications, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. The expansion of new systems and processes, with cooperation across sectors, is also required. A good example of such system-oriented approaches is the circular economy, which will harness

a range of advanced solutions and foster new business models. It will also require cooperation at different levels among regions and among Member States to maximise synergies by pooling resources and knowledge together.

Name of Policy: Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action

Source of Policy: Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Date of publication: 11.12.2018

URL link to policy source: Official Journal of the European Union L 328/1

Brief description in relation to SME green development

Article 11: Multilevel climate and energy dialogue - Each Member State shall establish a multilevel climate and energy dialogue pursuant to national rules, in which local authorities, civil society organisations, business community, investors and other relevant stakeholders and the general public are able actively to engage and discuss the different scenarios envisaged for energy and climate policies, including for the long term, and review progress, unless it already has a structure which serves the same purpose. Integrated national energy and climate plans may be discussed within the framework of such a dialogue.

Environment – Biodiversity

Name of Policy: LIFE Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)

Source of Policy DG Environment LIFE-2021-2024

Date: July 2021

URL: Circular Economy and Quality of Life - Standard Action Projects (SAP) (LIFE-2021-SAP- ENV)

Nature & Biodiversity - Standard Action Projects (SAP) (LIFE-2021-SAP-NAT)

The LIFE Programme covers both Nature and Biodiversity and s climate change though measures taken to create the circular economy: ‘The aim is to facilitate the transition toward a sustainable, circular, toxic-free, energy-efficient/climate-resilient economy and toward a toxic- free environment as well as to protect, restore The LIFE Programme also covers Nature and Biodiversity and improve the quality of the environment.’

Tourism Sector-Specific Policy

Name of Policy: EU strategy for sustainable tourism Source of Policy: European Parliament Resolution Date of publication: 25.03.2021

URL link to policy source: (2020/2038(INI))

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘The EU Parliament calls on the Commission to encourage Member States to temporarily set reduced VAT rates on travel and tourism services, accompanied by a special stimulus package

for all micro enterprises and SMEs for the 2020-2024 period to foster the transition towards a more digital and sustainable tourism ecosystem. Furthermore, it calls on the Commission, together with the European Investment Bank, to establish sufficient dedicated support for the decarbonisation of the tourism sector, for digitalisation and for innovative projects, and the conditions of access for micro enterprises and SMEs to InvestEU, so that new skills can be acquired and more quality jobs created and notes that their uptake requires adequate funding for tourism establishments, in particular micro enterprises and SMEs.’

NB Please note there is a full tourism funding online guide at

https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/tourism/funding-guide_en

‘This online guide highlights the wide range of funding programmes financed by the new budget, Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, and Next Generation EU. With these resources and this guide, we're supporting the move towards a more digital, sustainable and inclusive EU. The guide will help you find appropriate funding. It contains links to relevant EU programme websites with the latest developments (such as annual work programmes or call for proposals) and further details per programme. For inspiration, you can also see concrete project examples funded by previous EU programmes.’

Regionally-based Cluster Policy

Name of Policy: Recommendation Report

Source of Policy: Commission Communication – European Expert group on cluster development

Date of publication: 2021

URL link to policy source: http://www.europa.eu; Homepage | European Cluster Collaboration Platform

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘Many traditional SMEs are less successful in adopting green business models than larger companies. They suffer from limited capacities, resources, time and available knowledge to invest and deal with the related regulations and standards. At the same time, many innovative SMEs have a strong potential to develop breakthrough green solutions, but they often have difficulties in finding the right financing and partners Clusters can be useful in helping SMEs to meet the above challenges. They can support SMEs in finding the right funding in terms of debt (loans, guarantees) and equity instruments. They can assist in opening the doors to new markets (both within Europe and globally), and in partnering with multinationals and large corporates to develop demonstration projects of their green solutions. Clusters can also help innovative SMEs exploit the business opportunities based on the increasing demand for green products, technologies, services and business models

Transport Policy

Name of Policy: Tourism and transport in 2020 and beyond

Source of Policy: Commission Communication

Date of publication: 13.05.2020

URL link to policy source: COM (2020) 550 final

Brief description in relation to MSME green development

Within the sustainable and digital transition, SMEs will need particular attention. As announced in the recent SME Strategy, the Commission will work with networks across Europe such as the Enterprise Europe Network, the European Clusters Alliance and European Digital Innovation Hubs to support sustainability and digitalisation and help local tourism companies become more resilient and competitive. This requires cross-sectoral linkages, interdisciplinary knowledge flow, stronger connections and capacity building to ensure accelerated uptake of product, services and process innovations. These networks shall also connect tourism with other industries to accelerate uptake of new solutions, foster cross sectoral investments in tourism ecosystem with ICT, renewable energies, health and life sciences, agri-food, maritime, cultural and creative industries, including the media sector.

Transboundary, Cross-border Policy

Name of Policy: Europe's moment: Repair and Prepare for the Next Generation

Source of Policy: Commission Communication

Date of publication: 27.05.2020

URL link to policy source: COM (2020) 456 final

Brief description in relation to SME green development

Europe must focus on enhancing its strategic autonomy, economic security and potential for job creation. The Commission is proposing a new Strategic Investment Facility to support cross-border investments to help strengthen and build European strategic value chains. It will incentivise European industrial and business leadership in several key ecosystems, notably those linked to the twin green and digital transition. This will strengthen the Single Market, underpin the new EU industrial strategy4 and contribute to a more circular economy.

Certification, labelling and benchmarking

Name of Policy: Reference document on best environmental management practice - BEMP, sector environmental performance indicators and benchmarks of excellence for the tourism sector under Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations in a community ecomanagement and audit scheme (EMAS).

Source of Policy: Commission Decision

Date of publication: 15.04.2016

URL link to policy source: Official Journal of the European Union L 104/27

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘Best Environmental Management Planning - BEMP - is to undertake an assessment of the most important direct and indirect environmental aspects associated with the organisation,

and to apply relevant performance indicators and compare with relevant benchmarks of excellence. Applicability This BEMP is applicable to all tourism actors, including destination managers, tour operators, accommodation providers, food and drink providers, transport operators and activity providers. This BEMP is also fully applicable to small enterprises.’

Name of Policy: Research for TRAN Committee - European Tourism Labelling

Source of Policy: European Parliament- TRAN Committee

Date of publication: 2018

URL link to policy source: Research for TRAN Committee - European Tourism Labelling - Think Tank (europa.eu)

Brief description in relation to MSME green development

‘Quality labelling in the EU Currently, there is no database on quality labelling schemes in the EU. Based on the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) study for the EC, it is reasonable to estimate that there are up to 100 labels related to quality in the EU, covering aspects such as culture, recreation, hygiene, and other elements along the quality value chain. Quality labels have been created in the tourism sector both by public authorities and by private organisations. It is possible to identify some general trends in the criteria for quality labelling. These tend mainly to concern services provided rather than organisational issues, with customer satisfaction surveys seen as very important in improving quality standards. Human resource policies are also seen as a significant element of the criteria for quality labelling.

Name of Policy : The implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan

Source of Policy : European Commission Report

Date of publication : 26.1.2017

URL link to policy source : COM (2017) 33 final

Brief description in relation to SME green development

Food waste is a key area in the circular economy and should be addressed at many levels along the value chain. The Commission launched a stakeholder’s platform on food waste prevention, made progress in developing an EU methodology to measure food waste, and prepared EU guidelines to facilitate food donations and the use former foodstuff as feed. The platform will be the key forum at EU level to support all players in identifying and taking actions needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals commitment to halve food waste per capita by 2030. It gathers 70 members representing public authorities and all actors along the food value chain, including food banks and other NGOs.

3.3.1 Initiatives and projects

European level tourism SME sustainability initiatives and projects are largely driven by European Commission funding programmes, although many private sector initiatives also exist, specifically in the field of corporate social responsibility and risk assessment. DG Grow, DG

Regio, DG Education and Culture and DG Environment stimulate several projects and initiatives which can be found via their programme project lists.

Commission’s Regional SME support

The Commission’s DG GROW and REGIO has been making the horizontal links between many of these Directorate’s programmes, and the COSME programme is specifically focused on support MSME sustainability. Fostering synergies with Eurostat via the Commissions Virtual Tourism Observatory work can be seen in the Cluster Collaboration Platform, which supports MSME development through specific regionally based clustering of multi-sector stakeholders to develop improved MSME supply chain and market access.

COVID 19 Resilience for the tourism ecosystem

Currently a commission consultation is in process based on the Staff Working Document “Scenarios towards co-creation of transition pathway for tourism for a more resilient, innovative and sustainable ecosystem”. Stakeholders have been invited to reflect and contribute to the scenarios for 2030 and list key enablers for the transition of the tourism ecosystem. (cf DG GROW website until 15 September 2021 see also their online survey.)

CSR - Responsibility and Reporting Requirements

Name of Initiative: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards corporate sustainability report

Source: Commission Communication

Date of publication: 21.04.2021

URL link to policy source: COM (2021) 189 final

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘The Non-Financial Reporting Directive (Directive 2014/95/EU, the NFRD), amending the Accounting Directive, was adopted in 2014. The European Commission committed itself to proposing a revision of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive in the European Green Deal and its 2020 Work Programme.6 The European Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy with no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. Better data from companies about the sustainability risks they are exposed to, and their own impact on people and the environment, is essential for the successful implementation of the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Finance Action Plan. By making companies more accountable for and transparent about their impact on people and the environment, this proposal can also help strengthen relations between business and society. It will also create opportunities for companies, investors, civil society and other stakeholders to radically improve the way sustainability information is reported and used thanks to digital technologies.

Multi-stakeholder collaboration across European Member States – the Tourism Manifesto

Name of Initiative: Call for action: accelerate social and economic recovery by investing in sustainable tourism development

Source: European Travel Commission- Tourism Manifesto

Date of publication: 9.02.2021

URL link to policy source

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘The “renovation wave of tourism businesses” - Support the development (e.g. consultancy assistance and support) of tourism businesses' roadmaps, introducing science based targets – setting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in line with climate science – to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and secure future-proof growth (with a focus on aviation, cruises, tour vehicles, leisure activity providers, accommodation and offices, including retail facilities). In parallel, pilot and upscale next generation technologies to drive both a sustainable as well as a digital transformation.

International Action for Agenda 2030

Name of Initiative: Proposal for a new European Consensus on Development Our World, our Dignity, our Future

Source of Policy: Commission Communication

Date of publication: 22.11.2016

URL link to policy source: COM (2016) 740 final

Brief description in relation to SME green development

‘The EU and its Member States will work with the domestic and international private sector, including employers' and workers' organisations, to promote responsible, sustainable and effective approaches. The private sector should engage in responsible and sustainable activities that contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The EU and its Member States will promote the mobilisation of private resources for development in areas with significant transformation potential for sustainable development, including sustainable agriculture, clean energy, resilient infrastructure, health, green and circular economy and digitalisation.

Clustering Policy

Figure 2: The Tourcoop cluster being developed at the EU level to Support SME Sustainability through the COSME programme

Initiative TourCoop

To diversify the EU tourism offer, the European Commission has offered co-funding through the COSME programme to sustainable transnational tourism products. Six projects are being co-financed under the 2019 call for proposals ‘Boosting sustainable tourism development and capacity of tourism SMEs through transnational cooperation and knowledge transfer’ (COS- TOURCOOP-2019-3-01). To make best use of the EU funding and to create synergies these projects are working towards:

sharing research into post COVID-19 sustainable tourism sharing tools and good practice examples
sharing dissemination channels and events
agreeing in country strategies where necessary
formulating a common set of tools and services in a post project clustering process
and piloting the European Sustainable Tourism Cluster as a driver for achieving the SDGs

3.3.2 Certificates and Awards Operating in Europe

This section lists those certificates that can be used by SME and destination stakeholders operating in Europe (see also Certification chapter in “European Tourism Labelling”)

Table 2: Sustainable tourism labels in Europe for accommodation and camping [2017] (Hamele/ECOTRANS, 2017)

Name	No. certified in Europe (estimated)	GSTC recognised¹	GSTC approved²
GLOBAL	9,598	8	2
Biosphere Responsible Tourism	30	1	1
EarthCheck	150	1	1
eco hotels certified	115	-	-
Green Globe	150	1	-
Green Growth 2050 - Travel	15	1	-
Green Key	1,500	1	-
Green Pearls Unique Places	50	-	-
Green Tourism	1,200	-	-
GT Active	33	1	-
TourCert	5	1	-
Travelife	350	1	-
TripAdvisor Green Leaders	7,000	-	-
EUROPEAN	2,946	-	-
BioHotels	90	-	-
Blaue Schwalbe	100	-	-
Certified Green Hotel	107	-	-
ECEAT Quality Label	1,300	-	-
ECOCAMPING	240	-	-
European Ecolabel for tourist	789	-	-
Green Brands	10	-	-
GreenSign	60	-	-
Nordic Swan	120	-	-

NATIONAL	3,904	3	-
Austrian Ecolabel for Tourism	220	1	-
Bio-Siegel Germany	100	-	-
David Bellamy Conservation, U.K.	587	-	-
DEHOGA Umweltcheck, Germany	88	-	-
ECO Certification, Malta	22	1	-
écogîte France	644	-	-
Ecolabel Czech Republic	9	-	-
EcoLabel Luxembourg	40	-	-
Eco-Lighthouse, Norway	1,200	-	-
Eco-Romania	45	-	-
Ecotourism Norway	1	-	-
Gites Panda, France	227	-	-
Green Certificate, Latvia	89	-	-
Green Choice, Greece	7	-	-
Green Star Certificate, Turkey	121	-	-
HI Quality & Sustainability	3	1	-
ibex fairstay, Switzerland	57	-	-
Legambiente Turismo, Italy	300	-	-
Slovenia Green	14	-	-
Small and family run „ECO	4	-	-
VIABONO, Germany	126	-	-
TOTAL	16,684	13	2
¹ GSTC recognized: “GSTC regonized means that a sustainable tourism standard has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel, and deemed equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism.” (GSTC 2021) ² GSTC approved: “GSTC accredited means that a Certification Body (CB) awards certification according to processes that comply with international standards and good practices.” (GSTC 2021)

Going Green 2030 Certification Cluster Europe

2023-06-30T07:11:46Z

About

Training

Coaching

Certification

Market Place

Clustering

Clustering stakeholders on all levels

See the Ostbayern Example!

Sharing information and services

Stakeholders

Cluster members: governmental, non-governmental, academic, businesses

Governance & Policy

Tourism sustainability management, cluster policy,
by sector

Going Green
Support Services

Information, training & education, certification, funding, promotion and marketing support

Certification &
mapping

Certification Quickfinder
Going Green Mapping Service
Green Travel Maps & Apps

Market Place

Travel Green Europe
European regions, e.g. Mediterranean, Alps; landscape types

Monitoring & reporting

Monitoring,
Reporting and
Benchmarking systems,
Tourism2030 Countdown Clock

Pilot cluster pages

(under development)

	Global to Local Sustainable Tourism Certification Cluster
	Working in this section? Enter the Cluster Office Space (restricted)!

European Stakeholders

2023-08-22T10:23:15Z

ETGG2030 Countries

Austria

2023-08-22T10:21:28Z

About

Training

Coaching

Certification

Market Place

Clustering

Find stakeholders

Search for who-is-who on the maps of local to global stakeholders and actors

Find resources

Search for useful certificates, training courses, guidelines, publications etc in our resources tool

Find Good Practice

Search for exemplary achievements oftourism businesses with their contributions to the SDGs

Find Topics

Search the 10 action fields in Tourism2030 for making SMEs more sustainable

Find Tourism2030 Tools

Search the portal for tools developed for Going Green in the Agenda 2030

Find News & Events

Search for latest news and upcoming events through the Tourism2030 news buletin and calendar

Bulgaria

2023-08-22T10:18:02Z

Find stakeholders

Search for who-is-who on the maps of local to global stakeholders and actors

Find resources

Search for useful certificates, training courses, guidelines, publications etc in our resources tool

Find Good Practice

Search for exemplary achievements oftourism businesses with their contributions to the SDGs

Find Topics

Search the 10 action fields in Tourism2030 for making tourism more sustainable

Find Tourism2030 Tools

Search the portal for tools developed for Going Green in the Agenda 2030

Find News & Events

Search for latest news and upcoming events through the Tourism2030 news buletin and calendar

Croatia

2023-08-22T10:18:50Z

Find stakeholders

Search for who-is-who on the maps of local to global stakeholders and actors

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Find Good Practice

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Germany

2025-07-25T12:23:03Z

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Search for latest news and upcoming events through the Tourism2030 news buletin and calendar

Italy

2025-07-25T12:32:40Z

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Find Good Practice

Search for exemplary achievements oftourism businesses with their contributions to the SDGs

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Search the portal for tools developed for Going Green in the Agenda 2030

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Romania

2023-08-22T10:20:34Z

Find stakeholders

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Find Good Practice

Search for exemplary achievements oftourism businesses with their contributions to the SDGs

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Search the 10 action fields in Tourism2030 for making tourism more sustainable

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Search the portal for tools developed for Going Green in the Agenda 2030

Find News & Events

Search for latest news and upcoming events through the Tourism2030 news buletin and calendar

Albania

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Andorra

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Belarus

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Belgium

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Bosnia and Herzegovina

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Cyprus

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Czech Republic

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Denmark

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Estonia

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Faroe Islands

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Finland

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

France

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Gibraltar

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Greece

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Guernsey

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Hungary

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Iceland

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Ireland

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Isle of Man

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Jersey

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Latvia

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Liechtenstein

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Lithuania

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Luxembourg

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Malta

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Moldova

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Monaco

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Montenegro

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Netherlands

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Norway

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Poland

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Portugal

2021-08-11T09:33:56Z

UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Stakeholders Governments & Administrations NGOs, partnerships, networks Education, Research, Consultancy Destinations Businesses Individuals		Useful Resources Policies/Good Governance Funding/Investment Learning/Training Promotion/Marketing Monitoring/Reporting

Tourism2030 Tools Best Practice Browser Certification Quick finder SME Sustainability Training System Global Sustainable Tourism Marketplace Cluster Collaboration Tool Tourism 2030 Countdown Clock Travel Green Planet App Other Tools		Topics Knowledge Base Natural Heritage & Biodiversity Human Rights & Labour Rights Good Governance & CSR Travel, Transport & Mobility Destination Management Knowledge Networking, Training, Education Climate Change- Energy & Resource Efficiency Cultural Heritage, Life Styles & Diversity Value Chain Management & Fair Trade Certification & Marketing

News & Events		Join & Share

Certification Cluster (Generic Page)

Russian Federation

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

San Marino

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Serbia

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Slovakia

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Slovenia

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Spain

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Svalbard and Jan Mayen

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Sweden

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Switzerland

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Ukraine

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

United Kingdom

2018-01-30T17:37:08Z

Vatican City

2015-03-10T12:32:37Z

MANAGEMENT

2022-03-07T12:40:23Z

test designs

Find stakeholders
Search for partners through the local to global stakeholders maps Find ResourcesSearch for useful certificates, courses, guidelines, publications etc in our resources section Find Good PracticeSearch for exemplary achievements of tourism businesses with their contributions to the SDGs Find TopicsSearch for practical solutions through the Tourism2030 topics knowledge base Find Tourism2030 Tools Search for the portal tools developed for Going Green in the Agenda 2030 Find News & EventsSearch for latest news and upcoming events through the Tourism2030 news buletin and calendar