Tourism destinations

Based on the European Tourism Indicator System (ETIS) and the internationally recognised criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the present set of criteria for an Ecolabel certification was developed in a comprehensive discussion process with experts from the tourism industry and 19 pilot destinations.

With this sustainability certification for tourism destinations as a supplement to the existing Ecolabels for businesses and travel offers, an essential part in the certification chain of tourism offers is closed. Download Guideline UZ 82 Tourism Destinations

Austrian Ecolabel and EU Ecolabel awarded to 27 tourism businesses in Salonplafonds. Copyright by Enzo Holey.

First tourism destinations Seefeld and Wagrain-Kleinarl as well as 27 tourism businesses receive awards

Together, Austria's tourism industry is sending a strong signal for sustainability and future security: 27 companies from tourism and gastronomy received the Austrian Ecolabel from Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler and Tourism State Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler at a festive award ceremony on 6 September. 13 of the award-winning companies also received the European equivalent, the EU Ecolabel. For the first time, 2 tourism regions were certified in addition to companies.

Bloggers in Seefeld before Berg. Copyright by Elena Paschinger.

Exploring the Austrian Ecolabel destination Seefeld

In June 2023, the Seefeld region in Tyrol, together with Wagrain-Kleinarl in Salzburg, became the first destinations in Austria to be awarded the Ecolabel for Tourism Destinations. Read here how travel bloggers experienced the region.

Exploring the Austrian Ecolabel destination Seefeld

How to certify destinations?

"Positioning Austria as a "green" destination" is the big line of the "Master Plan for Tourism". The new criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel for tourism destinations show in which form an environmental or sustainability certification for tourism destinations can be implemented.

From the Guidelines Workshop: Tourism destinations with Ecolabel

What would you expect from a holiday region if you want to holiday sustainably? These and similar questions are currently being asked by our VKI experts together with some pilot destinations and external experts.