Assessing the commitment of tourism stakeholders to sustainable tourism in Amiens
About this good practice
The Tourist Office wanted to promote slow tourism but had no objective method of doing so. A first calculation is now used to measure the commitment and ambitions, and a second calculation is used to calculate the emissions for a meal, a night or an activity - this is based on the carbon footprint method.
First, we focus on measuring engagement. The calculation is based on a questionnaire of around 70 questions. The questions are adapted to the type of activity (accommodation, catering, leisure). The topics covered are :
- Company commitments (ex : communication about commitment)
- Energy (ex : Estimated reduction in energy consumption)
- Building (ex : Use of ecological/ biosourced/ natural/ local materials)
- Equipment (ex : Average renewal time for small equipment)
- Purchasing (ex : Percentage of products purchased from suppliers based in France)
- Mobility (ex : Financial assistance for employees in their efforts to use soft mobility)
- Waste (ex : Limitation of individual packaged portions at meals...)
- Water (ex : limitation of water consumption)
Depending on the result, the provider is awarded a score that places it in a category designed to describe a level of commitment to sustainable development. The categories are : “on the way”, “voluntary”, “committed”, “exemplary”
The Tourist Office wants to use the categories to encourage stakeholders to do more to improve their category. It will also be able to offer tailored support in areas where there are shortcomings.
Expert opinion
Resources needed
A total of €100,000 has been earmarked for an expert consultancy to help build the tool and develop the marketing communications strategy.
Evidence of success
The tool is based on questionnaires filled in by professionals who report on their own practices. It's not the Tourist Office that measures actions, but the professionals themselves who value what they do. The Tourist Office then promotes the offer by specifying the sustainable actions implemented.
By 2023, 4 professionals had calculated their score, by 2025 there will be 20. The aim is to increase the number of service providers involved each year.
Potential for learning or transfer
The promotion of tourism offers is usually based on communication elements that vaguely reflect the company's values. The present tool allows you to communicate transparently on the actions carried out by professionals in favor of the environment. Promotion is therefore based on concrete, tangible elements.
The tool has been designed to be fully transposable to any destination. It can be reused as is, or enriched to address specific themes. The preliminary animation work that had to be carried out can also be a source of learning.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.