Europe

Planning For Marine Ecotourism in the EU Atlantic Area: A Good Practice Guide
Geographic Scope: Europe
Sectors Covered: Marine areas
Description: A model of marine ecotourism good practice, setting out seven principles for “genuinely sustainable marine ecotourism” and a series of toolkits through which these principles can be implemented.
 

META Project Partners: University of the West of England, Bristol (UK), Torbay Council (UK), Marine Institute, Dublin (IR), and Escuela de Negrocios MBA Gran Canaria (ES).

http://www.tourism-research.org

PAN Parks®
Geographic Scope: Europe
Sectors Covered: National Parks, forest reserves
Description: PAN Parks guarantee nature protection for Europe's natural capital by certifying parks that pass verification carried out by independent experts in accordance with PAN Parks' core Principles, Criteria & Indicators. These principles cover relevant environmental, social, economic and cultural aspects and ensure new standards for conservation and sustainable development.

www.panparks.org

Green Tourism Business Scheme
Geographic Scope: Scotland and the United Kingdom
Sectors Covered: B&Bs, self-catering accommodation, hotels, guesthouses, youth hostels, holiday parks, visitor attractions, and tourism companies
Description: Since 1998, the Green Tourism Business Scheme eco-label has offered bronze, silver and gold awards to travel and tourism providers who fulfill the most important criteria in all of its environmental categories.

www.green-business.co.uk

Ibexes
Geographic Scope: Switzerland
Sectors Covered: hotels and restaurants
Description: The Ibex eco-label is reserved for Swiss hotels and restaurants engaged in environmentally, socially and economically responsible business practices. Sustainability is the core focus of this eco-label that rewards 1 to 5 Ibexes to companies that care for the well-being of their guests, of nature and of society.

www.oe-plus.ch

La Clef Verte
Geographic Scope: France
Sectors Covered: campgrounds
Description: Since 1999, La Clef Verte (The Green Key) has awarded its eco-label to campgrounds that adopt responsible business practices, maintain biodiversity and preserve their resources, guaranteeing that they respect the environment.

www.laclefverte.org

Legambiente Turismo
Geographic Scope: Italy
Sectors Covered: accommodations, hotels and campgrounds
Description: Since 1997, Legambiente Turismo has awarded its eco-label to eco-friendly accommodations committed to environmental protection and sustainable business practices.

www.legambienteturismo.it

The Green Key
Geographic Scope: Denmark, Estonia, Greenland, and Sweden
Sectors Covered: hotels, youth hostels, conference- and holiday centers, campgrounds, holiday homes, leisure facilities, and restaurants
Description: Since 1994, The Green Key has offered a "diploma" to responsible tourism providers who fulfill a long list of environmental criteria including those related to company policy and action plans. Frequent inspection visits help to ensure the credibility of this eco-label.

www.green-key.org
 
www.milieubarometer.com

STEP
Geographic Scope: International
Sectors Covered: Best practice/guidelines, accommodation, all tourism businesses
Description:  STI has developed the Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program, the world’s first comprehensive, global sustainable tourism eco-certification program offered by a non-profit organization.  It has been designed to be user friendly, educational in nature, practical as a measurement tool, and applicable to tourism businesses of all sizes.
 

Sustainable Travel International

http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org

Umweltzeichen
Geographic Scope: Austria
Sectors Covered: hotels, youth hostels, campgrounds, holiday apartments, guesthouses, and restaurants
Description: Since 1997, Austria has offered the "Hundertwasser" eco-label for the tourist industry. This is the Austrian symbol for environmental protection guaranteeing compliance with high environmental standards.

www.umweltzeichen.at

VISIT
Geographic Scope: Europe
Sectors Covered: accommodations, visitor attractions, and tourism operators
Description: VISIT is the joint European initiative for the promotion of eco-labels and sustainable tourism development. VISIT has a dual meaning. As an invitation to consumers, "Your VISIT makes the difference - the choice is yours!" and as an invitation to tourism providers to use VISIT as platform for "Voluntary Initiatives for Sustainability in Tourism".

www.yourvisit.info

Asia

Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program (NEAP)
Geographic Scope: Australia 
Sectors Covered: Accommodations, tours and attractions
Description: NEAP certifies eco-tourism products and tours, not operators.  Certification is backed by a commitment to best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and the provision of quality eco-tourism experiences.  NEAP is not being exported to the rest of the world as the International Eco-tourism Standard.

 Qualmark™
Geographic Scope: New Zealand
Sectors Covered: accommodations, transportation providers, and tourism businesses
Description: Qualmark™ is New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality. All accommodation and tourism businesses that have Qualmark™ certification have been independently assessed as professional and trustworthy based on quality, service, and cost. Ratings are based on one to five stars, and sustainable business practices are currently not evaluated as part of this program.

 www.qualmark.co.nz

 Travelers' Philanthropy.  Friends of Africa Foundation.