Certifiering av hållbara turismdestinationer -Verktyg för ett Nordiskt certifieringssystem

Sammanfattning: The tourism industry is growing each year and according to the United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) there will be one billion international trips during 2012. A sustainable tourism destination is a place that focus on all the different levels, a collaboration for sustainability include all stakeholders. Sustainability is shown through three aspects: socio/ cultural, economic and environmental. The Nordic Council of Ministers stated in 2001: ”Nordic countries should have implemented a common branding initiative by 2004, which focuses on the sustainability tourism in the Nordic countries as a destination along with its distinctive characteristics”. This thesis is addressing different principles, criteria and certification systems regarding sustainable tourism destinations. The aim is to discuss pros and cons for a Nordic certification scheme. Certification systems are often used in eco-labeling, but not as explored when it comes to sustainable destinations. Criteria and indicators addressed in this research, possibly to be used when creating a certification system, are established by i.a. UNWTO, The Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the Tourism Sustainability Group. Certification schemes regarding tourism destinations studied are: Earth Check (Global), Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (Global), Destination 21 (Danish), and Bærekraftig reiseliv (Norwegian). This study shows that the Nordic countries already have a common ground regarding sustainable tourism. Based on similar culture, nature assets and an already existing cooperation between the countries in the Swan eco-labeling scheme, a mutual certification system for sustainable tourism destination can be very successful. One alternative can be to prepare for a joint system while waiting for results of the Norwegian certification program; if successful the collaboration may use the same model.