REPORTONEUROPEANSUSTAINABILITY SCHEMES andtheir Rolein Promoting SustainabilityandCompetitivenessin European Tourism An internalreport produced forthe European Travel Commissionby JLag Brussels, June 2019ETCMarketIntelligence Report European Sustainability Schemesand their Role inPromotingSustainabilityand Competitiveness in EuropeanTourism All rights reserved. The contents of this report may bequoted, provided the source is givenaccurately andclearly.Distribution or reproduction in full is permitted forown or internal use only. While we encourage distribution via publicly accessiblewebsites, this should be done via a link to ETC’scorporatewebsite,www.etc-corporate.org. Data sources: This report is based on research conducted by JLag andshould beinterpreted by users according to their needs. Published by the European Travel CommissionRue du Marché aux Herbes, 61,1000 Brussels, BelgiumWebsite:www.etc-corporate.orgEmail:info@visiteurope.com Cover: People Hands Cupping Plant Nurture Environmental-ImageImage ID: 646067692Copyright: Rawpixel.com FOREWORD..........................................................................................................................................................5ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................................................6EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.........................................................................................................................................7 1.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................................................81.2 Policy background and rationale.....................................................................................................................81.3 Methodology................................................................................................................................................10 2.1 An overview of the current state of sustainability schemes across Europe....................................................112.1.1 What are sustainability schemes?..............................................................................................................112.1.2 Sustainability schemes aimed at the private sector....................................................................................122.2. Sustainable Schemes Information Cards.......................................................................................................15Sustainability Information Scheme Card: European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN )......................................16Sustainability Information Scheme Card: European Capital of Smart Tourism.....................................................19Sustainability Information Scheme Card: Green destinations..............................................................................23Sustainability Information Scheme Card: European Green Capital Award (EGCA) and European Green Leaf Award26Sustainability Information Scheme Card: Green Key...........................................................................................30Sustainability Information Scheme Card: Blue Flag..............................................................................................34Sustainability Scheme Information Card: The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas......36Sustainability Information Scheme Card: World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Tourism for TomorrowAwards................................................................................................................................................................39Sustainability Scheme Information Card: European Tourism Indicator System (ETIS)..........................................41Sustainability Information Scheme Card: Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)........................................46Sustainability Certification Information Scheme Card: TourCert..........................................................................49Sustainability Scheme Information Card: One Planet Living.................................................................................53Sustainability Scheme Information Card: EarthCheck Destination Certification...................................................562.3 NTOs and sustainability schemes: results of research survey........................................................................60 3.1 Slovenia........................................................................................................................................................653.2 Portugal........................................................................................................................................................703.3 Ireland................................................................................................................