The European Card of Eco-Friendly Tourism (CETS)

The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas (CETS) is a certification for nature conservation, territorial development, and dialogue between parks, local businesses, and tour operators.

The central element of the Charter is the collaboration between all stakeholders: while the Park Authority is the promoter of the implementation of the principles of sustainable tourism outlined in the Charter, its realization also requires the support of tourism businesses.

The Charter commits signatories to implement a local strategy for "durable tourism" through mutual commitments between the Park and tourism businesses. The main objectives are:

• Increase knowledge and support for European protected areas as a fundamental part of our heritage, to be preserved for the enjoyment of current and future generations.
• Improve sustainable development and tourism management in protected areas, respecting the needs of the environment, residents, local businesses, and visitors.

The 10 principles outlined by the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism refer to specific actions that must be promoted by the Park and other participants in the process:

1. Work in partnership: involve those engaged in the tourism sector of the protected area for its development and management.
2. Develop and implement a strategy.
3. Protect and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area through tourism, while simultaneously protecting it from inappropriate tourism development.
4. Ensure visitors a high level of quality at all stages of their visit, also by implementing initiatives to verify and analyze visitor satisfaction.
5. Communicate effectively to visitors the unique characteristics of the area.
6. Specific local tourism products: Encourage tourism linked to specific products that help visitors learn about and discover the local territory.
7. Improve knowledge of the protected area and sustainability aspects among all tourism sector actors.
8. Ensure that supporting tourism does not result in costs for the quality of life of local communities.
9. Increase economic benefits for the local economy generated by tourism.
10. Monitor visitor flows directing them toward reducing negative impacts.

The procedure to obtain the Charter is divided into three phases:
I. Certification for the protected area
II. Certification for local tourism businesses
III. Certification for tour operators

To obtain the certification for the protected area (Phase I), the following steps are required:
1) Submit an application to the Europarc Federation, which, with the support of national sections (in Italy, Federparchi – Europarc Italia), manages the procedure for granting the Charter and coordinates the network of certified areas.
2) Create and manage Forums (working groups) with partners with whom the Park collaborates to obtain the Charter.
3) Prepare a Diagnostic Report in order to gain a better understanding of the territory, including natural, tourist, social, and economic aspects.
4) Develop, with the Forum, a strategy and a five-year action plan.
5) Obtain a positive evaluation from the Europarc Federation on the ongoing process and Action Plan, which must be implemented by all stakeholders involved in the Charter acquisition process.

Once the Park receives the Charter Park recognition, it is required to implement the Action Plan, continuously monitor the results achieved, and report them to the European evaluation commission.

The Charter is valid for five years and can be renewed.

Protected areas that have obtained the Charter may, in turn, decide to complete PHASE II and III of the Charter, going beyond the simple involvement of tourism businesses, allowing them to receive individual recognition as signatories of the Charter.