Green Certificate Putting in Practice the Green

Green Certificate – Putting in Practice the Green Philosophy Agnese Jakoviča Latvian Country Tourism Association “Lauku ceļotājs”

Project “Development of the criteria for the Green Certificate, implementation and control in Certificate rural areas and small towns of Latvia” Implementing authority: Latvian Country Tourism Association Project co-financers: EC LIFE Environment programme Latvian Environment Protection Fund Latvian Country Tourism Association Project partner: Ministry of Environment of Latvia Project duration: 01. 10. 2001 - 30. 09. 2004

Project 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? Eco-label assigned to: Country houses Vacation cottages Guest houses Camping in the countryside and small towns of Latvia.

Target Audience Providers Tourists Public Sector

Awarding 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 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

Training Providers • Newsletter • Seminars • 5 training materials • Training film

Green Certificate Benefits Providers Recognition Economy of Training resources Sustainability Support

Tourists Green Holidays Brand • 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

Green Holidays in Publications Tourists Map “Worth Seeing” 2002, 2003 Active tourism guide 2004 Coming soon! Annual catalogue “Country Holidays” Guidebook “Countryside Bounty” 2003

Green Holidays on the Internet Tourists www. traveller. lv

Green Holidays at the Facilities Tourists • Information stands • Drawings

International 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

Reliable system for officials “Best of the best” group for providers Recognized brand for tourists Green Certificate Sustainability of Results

We’ll be happy to share our experience! agnese@celotajs. lv www. eco. traveller. lv