Green Certificate – Putting in Practice the Green Philosophy

Agnese Jakoviča

Latvian Country Tourism Association “Lauku ceļotājs”

Green CertificateGreen Certificate – Putting in – Putting in Practice the Green PhilosophyPractice the Green Philosophy

Project Project “Development of the criteria for the

Green CertificateGreen Certificate, implementation and control in rural areas and small towns of Latvia”

Implementing authority: Latvian Country Tourism Association

Project co-financers: EC LIFE Environment programmeLatvian Environment Protection FundLatvian Country Tourism Association

Project partner: Ministry of Environment of Latvia

Project duration: 01.10.2001 - 30.09.2004

Project GoalsProject Goals

Development of environmentally friendly tourism in Latvia’s rural areas, ensuring:

• Protection of ecosystems and biological diversity

• Preservation of natural landscapes, cultural and historical heritage

• Rational use of natural resources

• Monitoring and preventing pollution

• Improvement of the life quality of local communities

What is the Green Certificate?What is the Green Certificate?

Eco-label assigned to: Country houses

Vacation cottages

Guest houses

Camping

in the countryside and small towns of Latvia.

Target AudienceTarget Audience

Providers Tourists

Public Sector

Awarding the Green CertificateAwarding the Green Certificate

Providers

• 3 categories of criteria

• Inspections by “Lauku ceļotājs”

• Decision by National Eco-labelling Commission

• Period of validity: 18 months

• Environmental plan within 1 year

• Currently 53 Green Certificates assigned

www.eco.traveller.lv

Demonstration SitesDemonstration Sites

Providers • 4 different types of accommodations

• Samples of the project, examples for other providers

• Opening ceremonies – with the Minister of Environment

• Great reflection in mass media

• Training film

TrainingTraining

Providers • Newsletter

• Seminars

• 5 training materials

• Training film

Green Certificate BenefitsGreen Certificate Benefits

Providers

Recognition Economy of

resources

Training Support

Sustainability

Green Holidays Green Holidays BBrandrand

• Clean rural environment

• Traditional farms, natural materials

• Activities in nature

• Ecologically clean, local food

• Information about things to see

• Celebration of traditional holidays

• Play areas and pets for the children

• High-quality tourism services

Tourists

Green Holidays in PublicationsGreen Holidays in Publications

Tourists

Annual catalogue

“Country Holidays”

Guidebook“Countryside Bounty” 2003

Map “Worth Seeing”

2002, 2003

Active tourism guide 2004

Coming soon!

Green Holidays on the InternetGreen Holidays on the Internet

Touristswww.traveller.lv

Green Holidays at the FacilitiesGreen Holidays at the Facilities

Tourists

• Information stands

• Drawings

International RecognitionInternational Recognition

Public Sector• Joining the European initiative of eco-labels VISIT

• Following the EC eco-labelling activities

• Organizing national and international conferences

• Recognition of the organization

Sustainability oSustainability off Results Results

Reliable system for officials

“Best of the best” group for providers

Recognized brand for tourists

Green Certificate

agnese@celotajs.lvwww.eco.traveller.lv

We’ll be happy to share our We’ll be happy to share our experience!experience!