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Tourism in Flanders• Belgium is a federal state made up of three communities

• Policy matters regarding tourism are handled by the Communities

• The complete tourism policy for the Flemish Community is implemented by the Tourism Board of Flanders

• Belgium is probably not one of the countries immediately associated with thoughts of holiday and summertime leisure. Yet it is visited extensively by foreign holidaymakers esp ‘Art cities’

• In 2012 the National Institute for Statistics in Belgium recorded 35, 5 million overnight stays. The Flemish coast represents 31% of the overnight stays, followed by the art cities, 37%. The domestic market is the largest market in Belgium, with 53% of all overnight stays.

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Toerisme Vlaanderen and sustainable development

Toerisme Vlaanderen is civil service implementing the tourism policy and regulations of the Flemish Government

High quality tourism implies sustainable tourism

Sustainable development of tourism is a proces to achieve the right balance between the economic, socio-cultural and ecological aspects.

Toerisme Vlaanderen stimulates the sector to integrate sustainability

Flanders profiles itself as a sustainable tourism destination

Follow guidelines of UNWTO and EU Commission

Policy tools used for ecotourismby Visit Flanders (1)

Measurement instrumentsSustainability indicators and monitoring

List of indicators

Command and Controle instrumentsLegislation, regulation and licensing

attribute and controleLEEDS criteria for sustainable buildings

Land use planning and development control Advice on land use planning Provide infrastructure

Economic instrumentsFinancial incentives and agreements

Incentives to adopt environmental friendly inprovements at accommodations 3

Policy tools used for ecotourismby Visit Flanders (2)

Voluntary instrumentsVoluntary certification

Label bike friendly - accessibilityGreen key

Voluntary contributions Visitor payback systemCO2 compensation for air travel

Supporting instrumentsCapacity building

Courses, methodology, Campaigns to sensitize tourists

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What is the Green Key/Groene Sleutel? Ecolabel

Certification for a company that scores better than the environmental legal requirements

Communication & promotion tool for the tourist

+ Training program

Helpdesk Onsite visits, develop action plan, Workshops, company visit

Green Key in Flanders

A partnership between BBL and Tourism Flanders

Tourism Flanders developed a training program and a helpdesk for new candidates, organises workshops, info sessions and good practices.

BBL is responsible for the control visits, the jury, the press conference and the program itself (including the contact with the International Coordination and FEE international).

• Contract annual base: tasks & responsibilities • Annual budget: Toerisme Vlaanderen finances

Green Key in Flanders

• History

February 2007 launch of Groene Sleutel for campsites July 2007 first 9 campsites receive label December 2007 launch of Groene Sleutel for youth

accommodations April 2008 press conference Groene Sleutel November 2008 launch of Groene Sleutel for hotels, guest

rooms and holiday centers April 2009 press conference Groene Sleutel 2010 Groene Sleutel for tourist attractions Investigation possibilities of Groene Sleutel for conference

centers (March 09- Oktober 10)

Criteria ecolabel: obligatory & optional

• Environmental management• Staff involvement • Guest information

• Water• Energy • Waste

• Washing & cleaning • Food & beverages • Nature maintenance • Mobility • Green activities • Quality of life• For renovation or new building

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Advantages of The Green Key in FlandersGreen Key can:

• provide an effective alternative or complement to direct regulation, which may prove more difficult and time-consuming to implement

• facilitate the adoption of a flexible approach to monitoring the tourism industry, permitting organisations to proceed at the pace they feel most comfortable with, while encouraging them to develop innovative approaches

• enhance recognition of tourism in the country, national competitiveness and improve the country’s image in international markets

• provide consumers and tourists with a sustainable product

• offer an instrument that supplements existing classification of the accommodation sector to increase quality even further

No tourism without transport• Flanders is located in the heart of Europe, accessible by road,

train (good connection with Thalys and Eurostarr) and air.• International tourist attractions can be reached easily by train,

short distances• Most of our ‘art cities’ have done lot of efforts to stimulate

sustainable transport modes• Road congestion is however a big problem in Flanders

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Flanders, a sustainable tourism destination?

• Yes! Because Flanders …

• can be reached and explored without a car due to her outstanding public transport facilities

• has environmentally friendly accommodations and attractions (www.groenesleutel.be)

• has Green meeting locations• has a variety of soft recreational products• sophisticated network of cycling and hiking routes• electric water trips• has a well preserved cultural heritage patrimonium• has a top quality gastronomy based on local products

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Thanks and enjoy your stay in Flanders

• http://www.toerismevlaanderen.be/figures• www.green-key.org