Europe has a large number of “eco” certification programmes. The certificates and awards cover all types of tourism suppliers including accommodation, beaches, protected areas, tour packages.

Tourism should get certified because

• tourists expect environmental quality
• ecolabels shall give a “better choice” to the consumers
• standards assure the quality of ecolabels

The ideal ecolabel requires a set of criteria for “better environmental performance”, which

• goes beyond what is required by law (national or regional), and
• is achievable by a significant proportion of the target group of tourism providers in order to provide a real “better choice” to the consumer.

In principle, a tourism ecolabel needs a homogeneous product group. This should have clear and common components or services for better comparing the environmental impacts.

Below, you will find some information about ecolabels:

• Eco-Label Guide for SMEs
• Eco-Label Guide for protected areas’ manager