Tour operators and destinations could make a difference to biodiversity if they tried

Over 20 international and national labels and awards of sustainable tourism in Germany could considerably improve their standards

More than 20 international and national labels and awards of sustainable tourism in Germany could considerably improve their standards concerning biodiversity and consequently boost their contribution to the promotion of species diversity, says new report.

Recommendations highlight in detail how responsible tourism companies, destinations and tour operators can make a difference.

The indicator report 2014 of the Federal Statistical Office on "Sustainable Development in Germany" reveals that species diversity lags far behind targets, with an increase in recreational activities e.g. along coastal regions, aggravating the threat to ecosystems.

Says the report, the tourism sector in Germany has a range of opportunities to mitigate such threats and to contribute to the strengthening of biodiversity in coastal regions and mountainous areas, in the countryside as well as in urban environments.

The 20+ national and international certificates and awards for environmental responsible and sustainable tourism could leverage their influence across a host of stakeholders in Germany that seek such recognition, e.g. companies, destinations and tour operators.

By strengthening their biodiversity criteria, these labels and awards could give much needed orientation for thousands of tourism providers and in doing so fulfil their responsibility in supporting sustainable development in general and species diversity in particular.

Says the report, standard organisations should:

• clearly define their terms in the field of action with regards to biodiversity · strive to cover all fundamental aspects of biodiversity with their criteria
• follow the no-net-loss target
• determine their impacts on biodiversity
• and offer training for certifiers and certified organisations on biodiversity

The main recommendations inc;lude three lists for certification of companies, destinations and tour operators, respectively. Each list covers both priority as well as auxiliary recommendations, which should be integrated by organisations into their  criteria for certificates or assessment. The recommendations relate to legal compliance in the context of nature and biodiversity protection, but also go beyond regulations.

In order to support participating standard organisations, a workshop for national and international certifiers and auditors will be offered in January 2015. With appropriate integration of the recommendations their certified and awarded hotels and campsites, destinations and tour operators will be included in a "green travel map".

The report (Integration of biodiversity into CRS processes in the tourism industry Biodiversity criteria in tourism: Recommendations for standards, labels and awards) was created by the European network of experts ECOTRANS in cooperation with Global Nature Fund and consulting firm Adelphi has published hands-on recommendations. The project was supported by the German Federal Agency for Nature Protection (BfN) with financial resources from the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Protection, Construction and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).

Download the report HERE:

Valere Tjolle

This weeks special offers:

Book massive sustainable exposure at ITB:

Dramatic 2015 reductions on tourism guides and reports: