The document represents an overview of different EcoLabels for Tourism (Hotels, Tourist Agencies and Tour Operators) with a special focus on how they apply to southern Mediterranean countries.
The document provides a general introduction to how tourism labels work, their advantages and a brief methodology on matching the right label with the right context. In addition, it analyses of the application of a sustainability label in the hospitality sector, especially valuable for the review of the most common and important labels for this area. For each label, the paper details several criteria such as its costs, audit frequency or the number of establishments currently in possession of the label. It also briefly lists other labels existent in Europe.
Finally there is a similar review of labels but oriented to the tour operators as well as the tourist agencies. All the information is complemented by examples and references.
The document sets a guideline on how to choose the right ecolabel, as well as exemplifies the relevance of it. This is very important to prove the added value in these types of tourism and tend to a more responsible tourism.
The New Sustainable Tourism Labels Guidebook
Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production
English
2017