Today, the West Sweden Tourist Board is taking the first step towards launching the Sustainability Step, a collective initiative for a sustainable tourism industry. The Sustainability Step encourages both public and private actors in West Sweden's tourism industry to work together to transform into a sustainable society. The website hallbarhetsklivet.se is being launched today, October 2nd, and the entire Sustainability Step will be officially launched on November 17th.
From an international perspective, the destination of Western Sweden is already highly regarded in sustainable tourism.
– We want to take advantage of our prominent position in sustainable tourism and we are pleased that we already have around 150 businesses that have joined the Sustainability Step. They have all contributed their own examples of initiatives on hallbarhetsklivet.se. Be inspired, get ideas and join in yourself by contributing your own progress, says Fredrik Linden, CEO of the West Sweden Tourist Board.
Four principles
The sustainability step is based on four fundamental principles. Affiliated businesses take the following principles into account in their own business's future development and marketing efforts.
- As little unnecessary environmental impact as possible.
- Good for both residents and visitors.
- More visitors when and where it is not full.
- More full-time jobs and more robust businesses.
Website with all initiatives
On sustainabilitystep.se The West Sweden Tourist Board has collected initiatives from West Swedish tourism companies and municipalities, who tell us how they themselves work with sustainability in their operations. Via the site, you can submit your examples of sustainability initiatives – no initiative is too small. It is important to point out that the Sustainability Step is not a certification or entails any financial commitments – but instead is a statement for a sustainable tourism industry.
– A certain form of governance is required to achieve a sustainable tourism industry, and everyone must do their part. Different types of businesses can do different things. We want as many people as possible to join and participate in the Sustainability Step based on the conditions of their own business, says Fredrik Lindén.
