Tour Operators and Travel Agencies

Project Information Sheet

INTOUR

Programme area: Tourism

Coordinator: Naut Kusters European Centre for Eco and Agro Tourism, Netherlands [email protected] +31 20 46513189 Partners: ABTA – Association of British Travel Agencies (UK) ASR - Alliance of Independent Travel Traders Germany R.A. (GER) ANVR – Dutch Tour operator association (NL) ACTA – Culture Environment and Tourism Association (IT) ALTSO- Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TR) The Austrian Federal Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management (AU) KOAN Consulting, S.L (SP)

Website: www.travelife.eu, www.travelife.org

Benefits Existing industry sustainability standards for the tour operator sector will be linked with EMAS and EU Ecolabel. Big leverage through travel associations.

Keywords: Tourism, environmental management, supply chain approach Sector: Green Business Type of solution Management process, market driven

Duration: 01/10/2010 – 30/09/2013 Budget: € 1.732.850 (EU contribution: 48%) Contract number: ECO/09/256189 INTOUR

Summary INTOUR integrates the common European travel industry sustainability approach (Travelife) with the EU instruments EMAS IIII and EU Ecolabel. The EU instruments will provide credibility and direction to the efforts of European tour operators and travel agencies while the innovative approach of European travel industry will mainstream environmental management and certification. INTOUR implements the following: Tour operators and travel agencies 1. Sector specific management system for tour operators and travel agencies. Integrating EMAS III within the existing sector-wide European sustainability management system for travel companies. Introducing a step- up and cluster methodology to EMAS III. 2. Market replication. Applying and testing the sector specific EMAS III system amongst 1.100+ tour operators and travel agencies, member of 11 trade associations. Suppliers 3. Harmonizing common industry hotel standards, criteria and tools with the EU Ecolabel for accommodations; industry-wide standards for transport services, animal welfare and nature based activities. 4. Market replication. Encourage eco-certified accommodation services in European destinations through a market-led supply chain approach among 12.000 hotels contracted by tour operators. Specific approach in Austria, Turkey and Italy.

Expected and/or achieved results 1. An EMAS III tourism sector specific management system supported by 11 European travel trade associations; an innovative step by step approach to EMAS III; a grading and audit system; 200+ best practices and an online reporting system for travel agencies. 2. An individual consultation methodology; implementation of EMAS III step-up approach among 1.100+ tour operators and travel agencies (certified sustainability co-ordinator, environmental policy, action plan and reporting). 40+ EMAS III registered travel companies. 3. Harmonised industry sustainability criteria for accommodations with the EU Ecolabel criteria and assessment system. European guidelines for sustainable tour packages; and a suppliers’ handbook for integrating the EU Flower criteria. 4. A central European database with 12.000 by tour operator contracted suppliers (e.g. hotels); 300+ tour operators evaluate their suppliers through a direct approach; 40 trained auditors; 900+ awarded suppliers of which 50+ EU Flower certified; 1.800+ award logos in tour operator brochures and the travel agencies’ information systems and booking platforms.