The necessary steps in order to obtain the CETS from the PNAT

The Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano in 2015 initiated the process to obtain the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (CETS), deciding to invest in the development of a true sustainable tourism development strategy, shared with various stakeholders involved in the project.

In 2015, the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano implemented all the initial stages for obtaining the Charter:
1) Submission of the application to Europarc Federation;
2) Creation and management of Forums, which can be viewed in streaming;
3) Creation of the Diagnostic Report;
4) Development, in collaboration with municipalities, businesses, associations, and private citizens, of the Five-Year Action Plan: on December 14, 2015, the final forum of the sustainable tourism certification process for the Park was held, where the involved parties (including Infoelba) approved and signed the commitment to implement the 45 operational actions included in the Action Plan, which focus on three major areas:

• Sustainable mobility
• Training and information for tourists and residents
• Enhancement of typical local products

5) All collected and signed material was sent to Brussels to the Europarc Federation to allow the verifiers to validate the work done during these months and decide on the certification of the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano.

In 2016, the Europarc Federation evaluation committee, after carefully studying the application and the reports of the evaluators who conducted their onsite verification in the spring-summer, issued its "verdict," approving the work carried out and mentored by Federparchi.

The Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano was thus accredited with the CETS. Along with other Italian protected areas, it obtained the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (Phase I), which was celebrated in Brussels at the European Parliament in December during the usual official award ceremony.

Once the positive evaluation was obtained from the Europarc Federation, all the actors involved in the process of obtaining the Charter must implement the Action Plan, continuously monitor the results achieved, and report them to the European evaluation commission.

Our company, INFOELBA srl, has been and will be a partner in the project, with the objective of: Information and enhancement of the territory.

In March 2021, following extensive collaboration and participation between the Park Authority, private businesses, local administrations, associations, and consortia, the 2021-2025 Action Plan was unanimously approved. The Park has therefore achieved another important milestone with the Phase II certification of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, which directly involves the area’s tourism operators.

In 2025, following the renewal of certifications and new memberships, there are 37 accommodation facilities – across Elba, Capraia, and Giglio – that are part of the Park’s sustainable tourism network, helping promote hospitality that respects the environment and the natural and cultural heritage of the Archipelago.