We know how brutal the pandemic has been for tourism. It was not just during the lockdowns, when people stayed inside, but the long months after, when hotels and other venues closed. And even after places reopened, we know that the ongoing health and safety measures make it hard for people to take much-deserved holidays.
That is why the European Union wants to help. Tourism is a vital sector. We want it to recover, build resilience and become sustainable so it can survive future shocks and thrive. As part of the EU’s wider green recovery plan, the 2020 Industrial Strategy includes measures to help tourism meet climate and sustainability goals.
At the heart of this is the EU Ecolabel for tourism accommodation. The EU is carrying out a communication campaign to promote the EU Ecolabel, raising visibility with tour operators, associations and consumers. It could give you a competitive advantage, help you stand out on booking platforms and support your recovery from the pandemic.
The EU Ecolabel is a voluntary initiative for sustainable tourism. It is a certificate that shows hotels and other tourist accommodation meet key standards of environmental excellence. It covers areas like water heating systems, air conditioning, lighting, room temperature control and renewable energy sources. The EU Ecolabel is awarded by an independent environmental verifier and recognised by the authorities and the business community.
How can EU Ecolabel help your business?
Green reputation
Firstly, it will boost your image and reputation. Guests will recognise that you are going further to make your accommodation sustainable. That will also improve customer loyalty and engagement with the community as you sustain the quality of the environmental attractions in your area. Climate change matters for Europeans, who are ready to change their behaviour to cut emissions.
Sustainability is crucial for summer holiday spots such as seaside resorts which are vulnerable to climate change and other environmental issues.
Seaside resorts are Europe's most popular holiday destination, generating €183 billion in gross value added yearly and claiming 51% of hotel bed capacity. However, they are under threat as climate change erodes beaches through rising sea levels and fiercer storms. On current trends, Europe will lose up to 15,000 km of shoreline due to erosion by 2050, according to the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).
Marine litter is another concern. There are around 150 million tonnes of plastic in the ocean today, with millions more added each year. It hurts marine animals who ingest plastic particles – and it makes a mess of the seas and beaches.
A thriving environment, by contrast, is a vital tourist asset. With the EU Ecolabel, you can show you are addressing the issue.
Competitive advantage
Secondly, the EU Ecolabel will give you a competitive advantage. Sustainable practices are money savers. Optimised environmental management of your accommodation will not only cut your carbon footprint but will also reduce your energy consumption, water consumption, use of chemicals and pesticides, household and food waste.
How does it work? Take energy, for example. Inefficient installations overuse electricity, so when you replace them with energy-efficient alternatives, you cut your bills. EU Ecolabel accommodations save up to 50% more energy by using more efficient light bulbs and appliances.
Money is also saved when temperatures in common areas and rooms are regulated with automatic switch-off options. These money saving options are easy to adopt, and they fight climate change while protecting our seas, oceans and coasts.
There may also be funds available at the national and regional level to support EU Ecolabel accommodation: check with your national and regional authorities for more information.
Part of the solution
Thirdly, the EU Ecolabel can make you part of the solution. You can play your role in helping to restore the natural environment while sustaining your local community. The climate crisis affects us all, and it affects us in different ways. The EU Ecolabel is a win-win response: clean seas and healthy beaches are an essential asset for summer tourist destinations.
For example, fresh water is a scarce resource in seaside resorts, but a circular approach to water management – installing efficient taps, toilets and showers, recycling rainwater and reusing more towels – can make a big difference, saving up to half of the water use without sacrificing performance. Energy-efficient taps and showerheads can also cut energy consumption for water heating by almost 40%. Using renewable energy cuts the polluting and climate-changing effects of fossil fuels. Giving guests options for sustainable transport modes also helps fight climate change.
Solid waste, if poorly managed can end up in our seas and oceans, and on our beaches: the EU Ecolabel can show it is properly recycled or recovered. Plastic waste lingers for centuries: this is not just bad for the environment, but a turn-off for tourists. Sustainable approaches ensure no single-use packaging, disposable cutlery or toiletries: plastics are recycled, not spoiling the sandy shores or the seas too. You would also be cutting harmful chemical use in cleaning products and services: this will bring health benefits and prevent toxic substances from entering the environment.
So, the EU Ecolabel is your chance to become part of a movement. With this voluntary and strategic environmental scheme, you can give guests an eco-friendly and high-quality alternative to conventional hotels – while also engaging in a sustainable recovery. As travellers go green, you can lead the way in offering a sustainable hotel experience. Sign up now, to show your green credentials. Save money, and be part of the solution.