The engagement of local businesses is vital to the effective development and management of sustainable tourism.

They must be represented on the sustainable tourism forum and be involved in the preparation and implementation of the sustainable tourism strategy and action plan. While the above situation must pertain in all ECST Areas, a recommended development of the ECST, is to enable certain tourism businesses working in partnership with the protected area authority to receive individual recognition under the Part II of the ECST. Whilst the application to become a Sustainable Destination is processed and evaluated by the Federation, the development of ECST Part II and ECST part III is developed at national level by EUROPARC Sections.

Which are the benefits for businesses?

Businesses recognised and assessed for their sustainability practices receive the following benefits:

• Closer engagement with protected area authorities;
• Right to use the ECST logo;
• Visibility on ECST websites;
• Engagement with training and marketing opportunities as may be developed;
• Networking with other businesses recognised by the ECST;
• Possible engagement with projects and funding.

Part II is only available to businesses in areas that have been awarded the ECST under Part I. Recognising sustainable partners under the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism is only available to businesses in areas that are in an awarded ECST Area, which has in place agreed certification process.

Sustainable partners in Europe

The following map is continuously updated and shows the Sustainable Business Partners recognized under The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas.

Business that do not appear in the map yet, please contact sustainable.tourism@europarc.org.

In order to view only Sustainable Business Partners (in blue), click in the top left corner of the map and then select only ECST Part II.