EMAS in the tourism sector : EMAS, performance - credibility - transparency; May 2013 (first edition)

Tourism is the third largest economic activity in the EU and the sector continues to grow. Although it has a broadly positive impact on economic growth and employment, it is also a resource-intensive industry that leaves a big footprint on the environment. Apart from tourism's substantial contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, major challenges for the sector include excessive water consumption, discharge of untreated water, generation of waste, degradation of land and ecosystems, and damage to local terrestrial and marine biodiversity. But with strategic environmental management systems, tour operators, destinations and accommodation facilities are becoming increasingly sustainable. Already about 300 hotels, camping grounds, nature reserves and other leisure and accommodation facilities in Europe are using EMAS to improve their environmental performance. Among them are such prestigious names as the Ritz Carlton and Scandic hotels in Berlin and educational tours operator Studiosus. Protecting the natural resources and biodiversity that are the basis for most tourism products and services pays financially, ensures the long-term success of tourism operations and is an indispensable marketing tool nowadays.