Tourism ecolabelling : certification and promotion of sustainable management

Abstract The use of ecolabels and certification schemes in the tourist industry is reviewed. Over 70 schemes are described, from the developed countries of the Northern Hemisphere and Australia. Ways for widening the applicability and hence validity of these ecolables are suggested in conclusion. The book is divided into an introductory section (Chapters 1-2) and four parts. Part 1 discusses the contexts of tourism ecolabels (Chapters 3-6). Part 2 presents the practical approach of ecolabels development (Chapters 7-12). Part 3 reviews the recent changes in ecolabels and their current developments (Chapters 13-15). A strategic analysis of tourism ecolabels is presented in Chapter 16. Part 4 presents a directory of current ecolabels. Ecolabels are viewed as marketing tools that promote good environmental performance. The book is indexed. There is currently immense interest in measuring the sustainability of tourism in general, and of ecotourism in particular. Hitherto, it has been difficult for consumers to know whether claims of tourism destinations and products being "ecologically sustainable" are based on hard evidence. The tourism industry has therefore been developing methods to measure these objectively in the form of ecolabels. This book is the first substantial book to review this subject. Emphasis is placed on the criteria used in ecolabels to determine sustainability, the marketing of ecologically-labelled tourism products and the management of current ecolabels and awards. Hitherto, it has been difficult for consumers to know whether claims of tourism destinations and products being ''ecological and sustainable'' are based on hard evidence. This book reviews the subject.