GREEN CHOICE (SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STANDARD) CU GREEN CHOICE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STANDARD

Transcription

1 GREEN CHOICE (SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STANDARD) CU GREEN CHOICE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STANDARD

2 INTRODUCTION Sustainable or ecological tourism is an area of the tourist activity that is increasing when choosing a destination. This is a consequence of the environmental awareness and preservation of the biodiversity that several movements and organizations at a global scale, have achieved and thus, allowed the conservation and suitable use of the resources. Although it is true that the climatic change is one of the topics of major political, economic and social importance, it also allows the diffusion of some policies and good practices in the use of the resources, contributing to the globalization of a clear term: sustainability. Sustainability includes the satisfaction of the needs of the populations, assuring the supply of resources to the future generations. It is also involved the balance of the resources, the application of suitable practices and the respect to them. On the other hand, it is essential to be provided with a stamp or guarantee that should endorse the application of the concepts of sustainability, the use of good practices, the conservation of biodiversity and the contribution to the local communities in the development of the tourist operations. In this context, the certification of the sustainable tourist activity is a key element that will allow its recognition and commercialization. Taking this into account, Green Choice was developed: A standard of certification of Sustainable Tourism. 2

3 OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE The objective of the Standard of Sustainable Tourism is to provide a standard based on already established policies of sustainable tourism at global scale, adapted to locally conditions. The Certification of Sustainable Tourism is a verifiable process based on evidence. Its requirements are applicable to the tourist services developed under suitable social, environmental and economic conditions, thus, reinforcing the image of the tourist sector and promoting a responsible development of it. The Certification of Sustainable Tourism can be granted to tourist agencies, operators, accommodations or another offering tourist services. 3

4 NORMATIVE ELEMENTS The standards of Sustainable Tourism are based on national and international rules and policies. To develop this document, the following instruments were used: Mohonk Agreement: Proposal for an International Certification Program for Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism. Managing Tourism & Biodiversity. User Manual on the Convention on Biological Diversity. Baseline Criteria. Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas. Manual de Buenas Prácticas Ambientales para el Guía de Turismo del Plan Nacional de Calidad Turística del Perú - CALTUR. (Peru National Plan of Quality Tourism, Good Environmental Practices for the Tour Guide) PROMPERU: Manual de Buenas Prácticas para Turismo Sostenible. (User Manual on Good Practices for Sustainable Tourism) 4

5 PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM 5

6 PRINCIPLE 1 GENERAL INFORMATION / POLICIES AND ESTRATEGIES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TOURISM The sustainable tourism must be part of the strategy and policy of development of the company, in order to demonstrate, its commitment with the environmental protection and the existence of rules promoting the saving of all resources Criteria: The Company defines and makes public its position in relation to the sustainable use of the natural resources MAJOR REQUEST. A Policy of the company exists where it is established their commitments towards the environmental protection and social development. It contains a mission, vision, clear targets and goals defined at specific periods of time, in relation to: a. Management of the water resource b. Management of flora and fauna c. Air and sonorous contamination d. Management of Waste (solid, liquid, poisonous, etc.) This policy is spread among clients, employees, owners, visitors, etc Criteria: An assessment of the environmental and social risks has been made, based on a technical study where the impacts caused by the tourist activity and the measures to be taken against them, are identified MAJOR REQUEST The assessment of the environmental and social risks must contain at least, the following information: a. Physic map or plan of the place showing and reflecting the company's area and facilities, and the land and adjacent activities; b. flowchart of all the activities of the company; c. general characteristics of the ecosystems within the company s activities; d. assessment of the impacts (positive and negative) related to each activity, among them are: the use of resources, extraction, damage or destruction of ecosystems and habitat, increase of erosion, changes in the behaviour of local and wild species and impact during the mating seasons of endangered or critically endangered species, increase of risks for fires, irrational consumption of flora and fauna, water quality in decline, eutrophication of the aquatic habitat, entry of pathogenic, handling of solid garbage, contamination of land and water, noise. e. Social diagnostic, having information about the educational, occupational or employment s level of the local population, systems of traditional production and their areas of action (fishing river/lakes, agriculture land, cattle - grasslands), information of health (illnesses, endemic, epidemics, etc.) f. analysis of the possible changes in the social dynamics of the zone, 6

7 MAJOR REQUEST. There is a plan of action in place, specifying the measures to be taken against the impacts identified in item 1.2.1, showing the time to implement them, persons in charge and an assessment of effectiveness Criteria: All applicable policies and national regulations are accomplished MAJOR REQUEST. The company knows and accomplishes all national regulations related to health, safety, labour and environmental aspects. All relative documents such as operating license, employee s contracts and health cards, etc. are provided Criteria: If participating in social or environmental protection programs, these are spread and are in accordance with the Environmental Policy of the company. I.4.1. MAJOR REQUEST Means of communication, to spread the company's activities and its relation with the environment and with the local population, are provided. 7

8 PRINCIPLE 2 ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY All developed activities must take into consideration the maintenance of ecological essential processes, the less impact to the environment and the preservation of biodiversity Criteria: Protection of the flora and fauna MAJOR REQUEST. No wild animals are kept in captivity except for breeding and rescue centres (zoo farms), rescue or re-entry, in accordance to law and good practices. Products or endangered species or those from non sustainable practices, are not consumed, sold, trafficking or exhibited MAJOR REQUEST. If the company consumes the flora and/or fauna from the zone, it must make sure that such resources are not threatened and a system to prevent their extinction/to recover them is in place MAJOR REQUEST. If inside the area in which the company develops its activities some threatened species of flora and/or fauna are found, the company cooperates with the existing projects of recovery. In case such projects have not been implemented yet, it promotes measures for recovery (individually or jointly with the institutions of the zone) MAJOR REQUEST. There are measures adopted to prevent the company s noise and lighting from affecting the wild life In sensitive areas, measures are taken to avoid the entry of plagues and exotic species Criteria: Handling of residues and solid garbage MAJOR REQUEST. At each stage of activity of the company, there is a system of classification and treatment of the waste and residues generated. Special attention is brought to the toxic waste (batteries, fuels, residues from cleanness, etc). The organic residues produced by the company, are used in a program of management such as: compost, manufacture of fertilizers, soil cover/mulching, food for domestic animals and other If exist, the company supports and participates on recycling programs Criteria: Handling of liquid residues MAJOR REQUEST. The company is provided with a system of wastewater treatment or with sanitary facilities that reduce or eliminate the generation of sewage (e.g. composting toilets, Biodigesters, etc) Criteria: Handling of soil contamination products MAJOR REQUEST. There are adequate areas to store fuels, lubricants and other poisonous materials and to prevent possible filtrations. The same consideration applies to places where maintenance of the 8

9 company's vehicles and/or equipments is made Detergents or cleaning products in general and cosmetics used, are Biodegradable and not eutrophic. In case these were not available, the company must be have in place a system of water treatment to make sure that contamination of the soil is avoided Criteria: Handling of air pollutant products Measures are adopted to reduce the gas emission, pollutant aerosols, disagreeable noises and unpleasant smells Criteria: Preventing acoustic noise The vehicles and/or equipments pertaining to the company are in good condition for their suitable functioning and without producing noises or excessive gas emissions The company is provided with adequate facilities that isolate the noise, produced by equipments and/or machineries, which could disturb the peace and quiet of the environment Clear norms of conduct are provided to the tourists in relation to the noise production (time schedules, levels, authorized equipment, etc.), in order to not disturb the natural ambience and the other visitors quiet. 9

10 PRINCIPLE 3 FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT The hotel facilities must not broke harmonization with the surrounding environment and must meet suitable conditions on safety and hygiene Criteria: Type and design of the accommodations The design must preserve the harmony of the surrounding landscape. Where possible, resources available in the area must be used for construction of the facilities, always assuring their recovery Criteria: Infrastructure, safety and hygiene In case of catastrophes and/or emergencies being them medical, environmental or on safety, there are specific evacuation procedures provided At least, a first-aid kit and suitable equipment are available for responding to an emergency If the construction of toilet facilities is not possible, places for basic services and sanitation must be clearly identified and signposted, as well as they must be known by the company's personnel and the tourists Facilities are kept in perfect conditions of hygiene and cleaning, notwithstanding the category of the tourist services The infrastructure must be adapted to the environmental characteristics and climatic phenomena of the area where the activities are developed The personnel of the company are qualified and equipped to respond to the most common emergencies of the zone and are aware of the evacuation procedures, if necessary Clear hygienic rules when handling food are established by the company, and the personnel are aware and apply such norms The company makes sure that the water used for direct consumption or food preparations fits for human consumption. Periodic water analyses are executed The company ensures that their equipment and facilities are in good condition as to offer suitable and safe services generating the least environmental impact The company establishes and clearly signposts all areas assigned to activities and services offered by them, showing details and considerations necessary to be taken into account when using any of them. 10

11 MAJOR REQUEST. The required preventive measures are implemented to guarantee the safety of the tourist and the company's personnel, during the execution of their activities Criteria: Handling of resources The company uses all available technological resources at hand for energy saving The company establishes the most effective mechanisms to raise the tourist and the personnel s awareness on saving energy and resources The areas of major consumption of water and energy are identified and controlled. When possible, suitable meters are installed, otherwise, there are other mechanisms of measurement to execute control. 3.4Criteria: Carrying capacity of the hotel (facilities) and othe services provided There have been technical evaluations about the carrying capacity of the most vulnerable areas within the company s activities and about the capacity of the company s facilities for customer service. 11

12 PRINCIPLE 4 ECONOMIC AND SOLICAL CONDITIONS At long term, the sustainable tourism must maintain or raise the social and economic welfare of the workers and of the local communities Criteria: Local development The company must give priority to the recruitment of local staff and to the consumption of products and services within the zone, in order to promote the development of the local economy The company maintains a harmonious and fluid relationship with the local communities, which facilitates developing joint protective mechanisms against threats, being them of natural or social nature MAJOR REQUEST. Policies against commercial sexual exploitation, in special, of children and adolescents are adopted and spread Criteria: Dealing with workers There is a harmonious and motivational working environment which contributes to the personal development of the workers No type of social, sexual or racial discrimination is adopted, nor supported There are policies in place and specific actions implemented for the training of the personnel on: environmental matters related to the company s activities, socio-cultural and operative aspects, as well as the quality system and emergency response actions. 12

13 PRINCIPLE 5 ECONOMIC VIABILITY Sustainable tourism assures a quality service, viable and of long term in order to generate and to maintain the economic development of the company and of the local populations. 5.1Criteria: Accounting, Marketing and Administration The company has clearly established mechanisms and/or procedures for reservations, accounting, marketing and administration The company promotes their services with truthful information The company is profitable or has a business plan in place towards profitability. 13

14 PRINCIPLE 6 CULTURAL ASPECTS The activities of sustainable tourism must be developed in compliance with the rights and cultural expressions of the local and/or indigenous populations Criteria: Respect for local populations MAJOR REQUEST. There is no conflict between the company and the local population Criteria: Contributing to development / cultural heritage Means for information and protection of the local culture are implemented Laws, norms, rules and regulations for the protection of the historical and cultural patrimony of the sites, are complied with Criteria: Contributing to health The company encourages healthy habits in the local population. 14

15 PRINCIPLE 7 EDUCATION AND REPLICABILITY OF GOOD PRACTICES 7.1. Criteria: Developing programs of environmental education The company spreads their environmental achievements in order to sensitize the local population and to replicate an environmentally friendly behavior The company participates and/or promotes a joint work with the educational local institutions on environmental topics, in order to raise environmental awareness of the clients, employees, owners, children and young people in the zone Criteria: Developing relationships between the company and main local institutions The company participates and/or stimulates a space for dialogue with the main institutions of the area where their activities are developed Criteria: Suppliers / inputs-raw materials There is a policy giving preference to certified suppliers or to those who make use of good environmental and social practices Criteria: Continuous progress There is a mechanism in place for the receipt of assessments, complaints and comments of the clients. There is a record of them and of the corrective actions taken, as well. 15