EU Project
Travelife was created with the support of the EU LIFE – Environment funded project Tour-Link. TOUR-LINK demonstrated how an integrated ecolabeling and tour operating supply chain management strategy can foster sustainability in tourism. The project ran from July 2004 to December 2007.
Objectives
So far there was hardly any co-ordinated and strategic co-operation between eco-labels, tour operators and suppliers (e.g. accommodations, transport carriers). In 2003 the existing European eco-labels joined forces within the VISIT association while the EU eco-label for tourism makes certification available all over Europe. In 2003 the Dutch and United Kingdom tour operator associations committed themselves to introduce a sustainability management approach among their members which would create a stronger demand for certified suppliers at the holiday destinations.
The TOUR-LINK project aimed to test and demonstrate the effectiveness of a common co-ordinated approach by:
• Supporting tour operators in the introduction of a common and widely accepted sustainable supply chain management system.
• Creating synergies between the VISIT platform for tourism eco-labels, EU Eco-label and the tour operators environmental inspection systems for suppliers (leading to more certified supply).
• Testing common actions of a strong group of tour operators (market pressure) in two exemplary destinations to promote sustainable development (e.g. foster certification of accommodations).
• To develop and test a common, clear and attractive tour operator consumer communication strategy to promote green purchasing.
• To disseminate the tested model for “linking tourism suppliers and Eco-labels with tour operators” (TOUR-LINK) to tour operators, suppliers and destinations in all EU member states.
Activities
TOUR-LINK was realised in 9 interrelated tasks:
1. Assess existing sustainable supply chain management experiences for tour operators. Tour operator associations, together with other stakeholders and experts agree on a common European supply chain management model based on the EMAS methodology. Practical tools and training packages will be developed based on research and existing good practises to implement the model and methodology.
2. Create agreements and common networks with more than 75 partner tour operators. Provide workshops, certified training and individual coaching to implement supply chain management systems at more than 75 tour operators (baseline study, policy and action plan and monitoring system). Monitoring and analysing of environmental effects based on agreed indicators.
3. Development, agreement and testing of harmonised tour operator suppliers inspection systems. Find and implement co-operation on standards, communication and marketing between VISIT Ecolabels and the EU Ecolabel based on pilot destinations in Catalonia and Austria. Agree on widely accepted criteria for sustainable tour packages.
4. Co-ordinated approach of tour operators in destinations (Catalonia and Austria). Development of a common strategy between tour operators and local stakeholders (hotel associations, tourism boards, local governments) related to individual destination based tour operator action plans for more sustainable supply.
5. Pilot online business to business matching service for tour operators and “green suppliers” : database with 2.000 tour operators and all ecolabeled tourism products in Europe. Develop a model for integrating sustainability in tour operators contracts with suppliers.
6. Compilation of a consumer and customers communication manual for tour operators based on best practices in the promotion of sustainable tourism products to consumers. Test actions through communication channels of partner tour operators including a common logo for certified products in catalogues. Free publicity campaign to promote sustainable holiday packages from the pilot destinations Catalonia and Austria.
7. Dissemination of good practices in sustainability actions and policies to the tour operator sector, and suppliers, Ecolabels and other stakeholders. Presentations at fairs, conferences. Web site, press releases, mailings, e-mail newsletter. Final project event issuing the “Royal Award for sustainability” for best tour operator practice.
8. Management and reporting to the EC. Meetings of project partners, supporters and Advisory Committee. Seeking synergy effects with other LIFE projects.
9. Monitoring and (self)evaluation of the project.
Results
1. A tested and broadly accepted European sustainable tourism supply chain management model. Practical and tested training strategy, curricula, manuals and tools for different tour operator staff members and product groups.
2. Implementation of sustainable supply chain management systems at 75 + tour operators from more than five countries. Proven environmental benefits based on common indicators.
3. Standardised tour operators’ checklists and inspection systems (for their tourism suppliers). Solid co-operation in standards and marketing between the EU Ecolabel and VISIT (the European platform for Tourism Ecolabels..
4. Common tour operator destination approach methodology. More certified hotels and other suppliers in Catalonia and Austria.
5. European Business to Business matching service for certified suppliers and tour operators. Tourism businesses in Europe which are well informed about tour operators expectations. European tour operators which are aware of available certified tourism products. Sustainability as a factor in purchasing and contracting.
6. Tour operators communication channels promote green products and raise consumers’ awareness. Sustainability images and messages in tour operators catalogues. Common logo for certified products.
Project partners
• European Centre for Eco and Agro Tourism – Projects, Netherlands
• Association of ANVR Tour operators, Netherlands
• Federation of Tour Operators, UK
• Leeds Metropolitan University , UK
• Lund University , Sweden
• Catalan Ministry of Environment, Spain
• Austrian Ministry of Environment, Austria
• Royal Award Foundation, Denmark
• Dutch Alps Platform, Netherlands
For more information and the final project report please contact the project manager Naut Kusters at n.kusters@eceat-projects.org
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