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Sustainability label for Nordic tourist destinations

01.07.14 | Fréttir
A Nordic sustainability certification for tourist destinations is a way to protect the environment in the future while creating growth, according to the Nordic Council Environment and Natural Resources Committee, which recently met in Lofoten in Norway.

Ann-Kristine Johansson of the Nordic Council Environment and Natural Resources Committee is one of the social democrats in the Nordic Council behind the member's proposal for a sustainability certification. Johansson stresses that certification would look after vulnerable natural areas as tourism increases while also having economic benefits.

"Sustainable tourism would bring life to the countryside, increase revenue and provide more jobs. The Nordic countries are known as "green countries" and a common certification would also help to establish the region as a place with sustainable tourist destinations", says Ann-Kristine Johansson.

"The advantage of a common Nordic environment and sustainable certification is particularly great as we like to visit each other's countries on holiday. To have a symbol that is recognised in all the Nordic countries would be a great advantage for all businesses that take responsibility for a sustainable environment", continued Johansson.

Build on Norwegian experiences

Ingunn Sørnes from Innovasjon Norge, who presented the organisation's experiences with developing a Norwegian destination labelling for the Environment and Natural Resources Committee's meeting on Tuesday, sees clear benefits for developing a common Nordic certification.

"The Nordic countries have a lot in common to build on, including common (sustainability) values", says Sørnes. 

The Chairperson of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Christina Gestrin from the Nordic Council's Centre Group, sees possibilities for leveraging the excellent experience from the Nordic Ecolabel.

"Nature and a clean environment offer huge opportunities for tourism. Nature is, however, often delicate and vulnerable if there is a large influx of tourists, for example, the Arctic environment. Therefore we want to stress how important it is to put great emphasis on maintaining a clean environment and protecting nature. Environmental labelling will involve the local community and the tourist industry to achieve these goals", said Gestrin.

Final proposal expected in October

The proposal will now be sent on an opinion round to the authorities and relevant bodies in the Nordic countries. Christina Gestrin expects that a proposal for a Nordic sustainability certification for tourist destinations will be presented at the Nordic Council Session in October.  

"I expect broad support so that we can put this idea into practice", said Gestrin.

The Nordic Council Environment and Natural Resources Committee held its summer meeting in Lofoten from 30 June - 2 July. The main topic for discussion was sustainable tourism.