Sustainable tourism is based on four pillars of development:
- Economic: ensuring the competitiveness of tourist destinations and businesses so they can develop successfully and bring long-term benefits;
- Environmental: reducing air, water, and soil pollution, decreasing waste, enhancing the quality and characteristics of the landscape, and protecting and preserving nature, plants, and animals;
- Socio-cultural: improving the quality of life in local communities, strengthening and respecting cultural and historical heritage, the uniqueness of tourist destinations, and traditions;
- Climate-related: reducing the impact of tourism on the climate and increasing tourism’s adaptation to climate change.
To ensure long-term sustainability, we strive to establish a proper balance between all pillars. We are aware that competitive tourism will be based on economic performance while also being considerate of the natural, cultural, and social environment.
The benefits of such sustainable practices include:
- Financial savings for businesses and tourist destinations that reduce costs through efficient energy use and the use of renewable energy sources;
- Greater attractiveness of sustainability-oriented businesses for investors;
- Better preparedness of sustainability-oriented businesses for changes in environmental legislation — environmentally certified providers have an advantage in co-financing calls;
- Higher quality products developed by tourism providers and destinations with a sustainable approach, aiming to provide guests with a higher quality experience;
- Stronger employee motivation and retention in companies that emphasize care for the natural and social environment and employee satisfaction;
- Greater visibility and reputation for tourism companies that have developed sustainable practices and verified them through environmental schemes.