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Definition of Ecotourism
Ecotourism Kenya defines Ecotourism as,
“the involvement of travelers in environmental conservation practices that address local human development needs while promoting equitable sharing of benefits accrued from tourism with the local communities. “
What are Standards & Best Practices?
Standards refers to a principle or rule considered by an authority or by general consent as a basis of comparison; an approved model
Best practice refers to highest quality, excellence or superior practices in a particular field.
Why Have Standards & Best Practices?
Increasing greenhouse gases emissions, CO2, N2O, CFCS, CH4,
Increasing level of pollution Climate change (affecting destinations,
businesses and Tourism Industry) Decreasing in availability of resources Increasing habitat destruction (direct &
indirect)
Overview of Eco-rating
EK developed a voluntary Eco-rating Certification Scheme in the year 2002 for accommodation facilities as a mechanism for assessing and certifying facilities that satisfy the criteria set by the scheme.
The criteria focus on best practices in four aspects namely:
(i) Conservation, (ii) Community; (iii) Culture; (iv) Business practices
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
THE ECO-RATING CERTIFICATION CYCLE
1. Applicant receives questionnaire, fills and
sends back (Within 2weeks)
6. Applicant renews Eco-rating certification
3 Months before the
expiry date
5. Eco-rating certification awarded
to facility lasting 2 years
4. Eco-rating committee assessment and
recommendations for Eco-rating Certification
3. Final assessment and report produced by
auditors
2. Questionnaire assessed and site audit
conducted
3 Months Prior IROPRprior
1 Month
Approx 1 Month
Approx 1 Month
Bronze Eco-Rating is the entry level, and is awarded to facilities that demonstrate awareness of and commitment to environmental conservation, responsible resource use and socio-economic investment.
Silver Eco-rating is an intermediary level that is awarded to facilities that demonstrate innovation - progress towards achieving excellence in environmental conservation, responsible resource use and socio-economic investment.
Gold Eco-rating is the highest level of certification. It indicates that a facility has outstanding best practices in responsible resource use, environmental conservation and socio-economic investment.
Eco-Rating Certification Scheme
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Focus on the Criteria: Conservation
Compliance with all Relevant legal requirements (national and international)
Environmental policies (Existence of adequate environmental management system)
Environmental conservation (activities aimed at preserving, protecting, maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the sustainable use and management of the environment/natural resources).
Effective and efficient Solid waste and Waste water management
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Focus on the Criteria: Conservation Effective and efficient Solid waste and
Waste water management Pollution minimization from all potential
sources (chemical, light, heat, air, noise; solid waste and waste water)
Effective and efficient resource use management (Water and Energy)
Visitor and staff awareness and education about conservation, environmental policies; efficient resource use etc
Architectural designLinking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Focus on the Criteria: Community Facility Promotes/supports sale or use of goods and
services from the local community Employment policy (indicating the % of staff drawn from
the local area) Community empowerment (clear plan to uplift the
welfare of the local community) Facility supports the development of socio economic
infrastructure of the communities around it in conjunction with the local government agencies/NGOs etc
For facilities in communally owned and privately owned lands, formal and legally binding agreements that clearly stipulate rights and obligations of the parties concerned are in place.
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Focus on the Criteria: Culture Preservation/protection of local sites that
are important with regard to the culture, history of the local communities around the facility including any archeological sites
Architectural design (Facility designs, architecture and art incorporate local culture
Facility promotes local culture among its customers and has developed materials that adequately inform and communicate this to the clients
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Focus on the Criteria: Business Practices
Legal Requirements (Compliance with all applicable local and international regulations)
Procurement/Purchasing and supplies (business has a purchasing policy that encourages goods produced sustainably, stimulates growth of local micro-economies and reduces negative environmental impacts. This applies to all products including building materials, goods, food and consumables
Health and Safety (Presence of effective/adequate and suitable health and safety management plan that demonstrates concern for a safe environment both to staff and guests.)
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Focus on the Criteria: Business Practices Employment and remuneration (Existence of
evidence that employees are respected, are paid at least a sustainable wage and local residents/disadvantaged groups are given equal opportunity for employment)
Staff education and awareness training (All staff receive periodic guidance and training regarding their roles and responsibilities with respect to environmental conservation, socio cultural and socio economic aspects)
Financial obligations (relevant financial obligations of the business to the other parties are adequately met in a fair, transparent and equitable way including absence of complaints from the relevant business stakeholders)Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Linking Tourism Communities and Conservation
Our Foremost Commitment…… is to our people.… that they equitably benefit for tourism development and environmental conservation
Our Greatest Resource…
… is our biodiversity
…and its our business to protect it.
