Sustainable Tourism: The Tour Operators' Contribution

environmental programme in detail and describing the checklist. An ECO symbol highlights the hotels
that have adopted ecological initiatives. The 33 questions in the checklist are numbered, and the number
appears next to the ECO symbol to indicate which actions have been implemented by each of the hotels
that completed the questionnaire, allowing clients to make comparisons and informed decisions when
selecting their accommodation.
Monitoring and evaluation of the effective implementation of the 33 criteria is conducted through
customer feedback forms and routine visits by Orizzonti staff to the contractors. A customer feedback
form (pre-addressed) is included in the brochure distributed with travel documents. The forms are
collected and evaluated by the Environmental Monitoring Office. When customers file negative
comments, Orizzonti requests explanations directly from the hotel manager. Technical support is
offered, by both Check Soluzioni per il Turismo and Orizzonti staff, for suppliers expressing an interest
in improving their environmental performance.
Benefits
The checklist has had a number of benefits, including greater awareness among stakeholders and an
increasing number of requests for accommodation that complies with ecological criteria. Orizzonti has
also received major press coverage for its action.
Comments
The main limitation to using a checklist is that it cannot include many criteria. The principal challenge for
Orizzonti is to deliver the correct message to clients, hence the use of the numbers in the brochures rather
than just the general ECO logo, to allow customers to know what each establishment does. Building
awareness is a long-term challenge for Orizzonti, because it takes time to engage both the supply side (in
this case the hoteliers) and the customers. Planned next steps for the environmental programme include
revising the 33 criteria to take into account developments in national legislation and removing those that
will already be required by law. Orizzonti will also build a database with which to assess annual progress
made by each establishment.
Box 1: The Orizzonti Environmental Checklist for Suppliers
Water and Energy Saving
The facility:
1. uses low-energy light bulbs.
2. uses a separate electrical circuit on each floor.
3. switches off the electrical system at night.
4. uses solar energy for the production of hot water.
5. can modify light intensity.
6. has a central vacuum system for cleaning the
environment.
7. has an air conditioning system with variable
capacity.
8. regularly maintains and cleans air conditioning
filters.
9. has air changing systems.
10. allows clients to change the room or apartment
temperature.
11. uses aerators in sink and/or shower taps.
12. has toilets with a flushing capacity of less than
12 litres.
13. collects and re-uses rain water.
14. waters green areas during the night.
15. waters green areas with grey water.
16. checks light and water consumption periodically.
Pollution
The facility:
1. has used non-toxic paints in internal decoration.
2. has sound-proof rooms.
3. is sound proof throughout.
4. has given preference to wooden furniture.
5. changes sheets and towels on request.
6. uses low environmental impact products.
7. analyses wastewater quality.
8. has a separate green area for the clients.
9. has analysed internal air quality.
10. collects solid waste separately.
11. collects glass separately.
12. collects plastic separately.
13. collects aluminium separately.
14. collects paper and cardboard separately.
15. has built the facility using mostly local inputs.
16. raises client awareness by written notes.
17. has separate smoking areas.
Sustainable Tourism: The Tour Operators’ Contribution 3
2. Supply Chain Management