The ecolabel for environmental friendly accommodations in Flanders Griet Geudens Toerisme Vlaanderen
Sustainable tourism policy in Flanders Sustainable development of tourism has been on the agenda since 2000 Vision: Tourism Flanders aims to develop a quality, sustainable tourism policy where Flanders can profile itself as a sustainable tourist destination. Role: to set an example and stimulate the sector Main actions concentrate on the integration of sustainability in the different subsectors of tourism
Certification in tourism Important tool for sustainable development and marketing Policy option for creating sustainability in tourism (supply) and stimulating demand Voluntary initiatives= to take action beyond legal obligations
Ecolabels in tourism
Why the Green Key? Green Key is a campaign in the FEE network International logo, widely recognised The Netherlands & France have got a Green Key label Independent jury Yearly certification, control Extra criteria on communication and education Administrative load for participants is limited
What is the Green Key/Groene Sleutel? Ecolabel Certification for a company that scores better than the environmental legal requirements Communication & promotion tool for the tourist Training program Helpdesk Onsite visits, develop action plan, Workshops, company visit +
Groene Sleutel in Flanders A partnership between BBL and Tourism Flanders Tourism Flanders developed a training program and a helpdesk for new candidates, organises workshops, info sessions and good practices. BBL is responsible for the control visits, the jury, the press conference and the program itself (including the contact with the International Coordination and FEE international).
Groene Sleutel in Flanders History February 2007 launch of Groene Sleutel for campsites July 2007 first 9 campsites receive label December 2007 launch of Groene Sleutel for youth accommodations April 2008 press conference Groene Sleutel November 2008 launch of Groene Sleutel for hotels, guest rooms and holiday centers April 2009 press conference Groene Sleutel 2010 Groene Sleutel for tourist attractions Investigation possibilities of Groene Sleutel for conference centers
Criteria ecolabel: obligatory & optional Environmental management Staff involvement Guest information Water Energy Waste Washing & cleaning Food & beverages Nature maintenance Mobility Green activities Quality of life For renovation or new building
Conditions and criteria: Conditions to apply for Groene Sleutel Registration of water consumption Registration of energy consumption Fulfill all required regulations Environmental (VLAREM..) Accommodation licensed by Toerisme Vlaanderen National Green Key criteria set = international baseline criteria + twenty percent national additions
Communication tools Plaket Groene Sleutel Yearly certificate (Dutch - English) Flag (optional) Brochure (Dutch, French, German and English) Visibility in different promotion tools of Tourism Flanders Website: www.groenesleutel.be NEW in 2010: arrangements by Tourism Flanders: Green Key accommodations + green activities in Flanders
Practical information Register for training program Registration is possible whole year through Fee = 100,00 for 3 years Registration module on www.groenesleutel.be Apply for the Groene Sleutel Yearly: call for candidates - controle jury Fee for ecolabel depends on size of accommodation (number of beds/rooms) Yearly distribution of Groene Sleutels press conference
Overview Groene Sleutels in Flanders 2007 2008 2009 campsites 7 7 15 bungalow parcs 2 2 2 youth accomm 11 21 hotels 5 holiday centers 1 guest rooms 7 ----------------------------------------------------------------- total 9 20 51
Overview participants training program 2007 2008 2009 campsites 12 21 21 bungalow parcs 2 2 2 youth accomm 44 58 hotels 23 holiday centers 1 guest rooms 13 attractions 6 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------- total 14 73 124
Green Key internationaal Belgium Flanders 51 Cyprus 2 Denmark 93 Estonia 20 France 227 Italy 7 Lithuania 8 Morocco 13 Portugal 21 Sweden 32 The Netherlands 197 Tunisia 3 Japan & Jamaica TOTAL 674
Groene Sleutels in Brussels Condition to participate: licence of Tourism Flanders Remarks Criteria Groene Sleutel less difficult to obtain than Label Entreprise eco-dynamique Brussel has less subsidy possibilities for environmental operations Subsidy scheme is not clear Difficult for business to fulfill environmental regulations Cities are confronted with regulations for historical monuments Participants in training program mai 2009 Hotel: NH Brussels Airport, Diegem Youth accommodation: De Waterman, Sint-Jans- Molenbeek Groene Sleutel in Wallonië? Inter Environment Wallonie partner of BBL
More information www.groenesleutel.be www.green-key.org Griet Geudens 02 5040329 griet.geudens@toerismevlaanderen.be