The Eco certification SchemeThe Eco certification Scheme

Product Planning & Development Directorate

Malta Tourism Authority

2nd May 2003

1. Eco Labels in the EU1. Eco Labels in the EU

4. The Maltese Scheme4. The Maltese Scheme

5. The process 5. The process

6. The set up6. The set up

2. From Alcudia to Malta 2. From Alcudia to Malta

7. Continous Improvement 7. Continous Improvement ProcessProcess

3. Methodology3. Methodology

3

8

25

34

39

46

53

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000

Eco labels in the EUEco labels in the EU

Criteria of AlcudiaCriteria of Alcudia

First reviewFirst review

First test in 12 Maltese First test in 12 Maltese hotelshotels

403 guests survey in Malta403 guests survey in Malta

AnalysisAnalysis

Final versionFinal version

From Alcudia to MaltaFrom Alcudia to Malta

A questionnaire with 134 standards was used to evaluate the hotel environmental performance.

•A semi structured questionnaire was used to discuss issues related to the eco-certification implementation..

•The GM, the F&B manager and the engineer were present at differents stage of the interview.

MethodologyMethodology

First test in 12 hotels: positive findingsFirst test in 12 hotels: positive findings

• The eco-certification initiative has been seen as a realistic and profitable tool to implement.

•The questionnaire has been seen as a valuable tool to reduce operating costs in energy, water and waste.

•The eco-certification process has been seen as a very good opportunity to raise environmental awareness among employees.

•Benchmarking with others hotels, especially with hotels from abroad, appreciated options.

•Information on legal and government environmental initiatives has been identified as an urgent need.

•There is no relevant difference between hotel categories.

First test in 12 hotels: negative findingsFirst test in 12 hotels: negative findings

•The Environmental Management System has performed very low, which confirms the early stage in the awareness phase.

•There are issues in waste management that improve environmental management

•Information to guests has performed very low which confirm the low level of management awareness.

•The guest environmental awareness is not a management priority.

“A guest questionnaire was conducted with a view to evaluate perceptions on tourism and the environment”

Nowadays, tourists prefer hotels which take measures to protect the environment

3% 1%9%

56%

31%

don't know

totally disagree

disagree

agree

totally agree

In the near future, more and more tourists would prefer hotels which take measures to protect the environment

0% 5%

51%

43%

1%

don't know

totally disagree

disagree

agree

totally agree

Willingness to pay extraWillingness to pay extra

14

3738

10 0.49

0%

1-3%

3-5%

5-10%

no answer

“Eco certified accommodation could determine the choice of hotels and possibly even the choice of the destination”

“The Eco certification scheme is one of a number of initiatives undertaken by MTA in conjunction with Eco tourism year”

“The Eco-certification will eventually be extended to the Catering sector”

• Voluntary Scheme targeting the tourism accommodation sector

• 130 compulsory and voluntary criteria based on an established model adopted in the Balearic Islands

• Accreditation awarded to hotels fulfilling 65% of the criteria

The SchemeThe Scheme

Obtaining the eco-certification in year 1Obtaining the eco-certification in year 1

1. Hotels must fulfill the 44 compulsory criteria and a minimum of 50% of the 130 criteria.

2. One employee has to attend a one day training session and pass the exam.

3. The management has to abide to the Green Policy as established by the Green Commission.

44 Compulsory 86 Recommended

2

Step 1:- Designation of coordinator for the project

Step 2:- Self-assessment to ensure hotel meets criteria

Step 3:- Application once required criteria are fulfilled

Step 4:- Independent audit carried out and improvement plan developed

Step 5:- Eco-Certification awarded for 1 year and Continuous Improvement Process begins

Step 6:- On-going improvement, as well as audit and re- application on a yearly basis

ProcessProcess

Best practicesBest practicesGood Will

Eco-certificationEco-certificationThird Party audits

Third party criteria

Benchmarking

Marketing support

Technical support

Continuous Improvement

ISO-14001ISO-14001Worlwide recognition

Worlwide marketing

Accreditaded third party to audit

International Standard Orgnaization

Document managemnt

Green suppliers

Internal Audits

Legal compliance

From Good Practices to ... ISO 14000From Good Practices to ... ISO 14000

+-

Time and resources

Green CommissionGreen Commission

CertificationCertification

Life eventLife event SupportSupport

WebsiteWebsite

Knowledge base

FAQ EMS software

Technical Marketing Financial

Conference

Quarterly meeting

Training

Sub-sectors Employees

The Set upThe Set up

We will help hotels to set-up realistic targets and support them to achieve them at the lowest cost through the Continuous Improvement

1. Hotel coordinators will receive training on CIP tools

2. Certified hotels will receive a software to assist them

3. Each certified hotels will organize a monthly internal meeting

4. All ceritifed hotels will meet quaterly to share knowledge

5. Certified hotels will set up a environmental scorecard

6. Hotels will be able to benchnmark on a national and international level

Continuous Improvement ProcessContinuous Improvement Process

Thank you

Patrick Grixti

Manager

Tourism Service Providers

Malta Tourism Authority

eco-certification@maltatourismauthority.com

www.maltatourismauthority.com