University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...

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Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature Ecotel - launched in the year 1994 by the private promoter concerned mostly about accommodation (water use etc.). On the regional level the Blue Flag promoted by NGO since 1985 is the most visible scheme. They focus on sustainable use of marinas (localities) and beaches. Currently, over 1,800 beaches and over 600 marinas are accredited. Accreditation must be re-earned every year (Buckley, 2001). (See the criteria on the Blue flag web sites - http://www.blueflag.org). In the Asian/pacific region Green Leaf is another regional example, which was started by the Pacific Asia Travel Association in 1997. Buckley wrote in 2001 that they are now to be integrated with the Green Globe 21. But according to their web site they are apparently still independent (www.greenleafthai.org). On the national level there are many schemes which are mostly concerned with accommodation. For example Green Key in Denmark - They are checking for water use in washing and bathing. In Germany there is Environmental Squirrel concerned about the catering and accommodation. In France the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas was found out by the NGO to regulate the tourism in the protected areas within France. On the sub-national level there are some schemes which only work in part of the country, for example - Ecotour (Balearic Islands) or Green Tourism Business Scheme (Scotland) (UNEP, 1998). In the appendix 1 there is a calendar of events relevant to ecolabels in ecotourism. 26
Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature 2.5.4. Structural framework of ecolabel schemes In the following parts, we will mention some organisational aspects of ecolabel schemes. Human resources: some of them run by volunteers (NGO), private associations, or they are part of a bigger association with broader interests. For example the Green Leaf recently now. Financial resources: financing of the ecolabel schemes are provided mostly by the membership fees. The fees are related to: • annual turnover of the applicants • physical size of the applicant's operation • type of accommodation (hotels, hostels etc.) • geographical origin -hotels in developed countries pay double price comparing to developing countries (UNEP, 1998). For example the fees of the Green Globe 21 members are based on an annual turnover with a fee of US$ 5,000 for a turnover more than US$ 30 millions per operating unit (UNEP, 1998). The National Ecotourism Accreditation Program follows the same system, where the members pay Aus$ 1,325 for turnover over Aus$ 3 millions (UNEP, 1998). 2.5.5. Ecolabels as a future for ecotourism regulation The field of tourism ecolabels is still a bit confusing because of the different approaches (wide or very narrow), different promoters (NGOs, private and industry associations and public authorities) and different levels 27
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University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...

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