There are a large number of sustainable travel labels. They may concern a wide variety of sectors: destinations, accommodation, transport, activities, restaurants... But they all have one thing in common: to obtain one, you have to comply with strict specifications. The presence of a sustainable tourism label offers travelers certain guarantees, and helps them to see more clearly between commercial promises and genuine environmental commitments. Discover the 15 labels you need to know to travel sustainably!
1. Green resorts
The Stations Vertes sustainable tourism label is awarded to tourist resorts that have put in place a policy to promote rural tourism, and thus help travelers to travel sustainably.
These are communities with a well-preserved natural setting, located in the mountains, by the sea or in the countryside. To obtain this label, they must tick a certain number of boxes, such as having a population of less than 10,000, carrying out actions to raise awareness and preserve the environment, or offering alternative means of transport..
2. Cycle tourism town
If a town displays this label, you can be sure that it's doing all it can to make life pleasant for cyclists ! To obtain this sustainable tourism label, a town must meet a set of specifications, and offer cycle routes, bicycle parking, service points(whether for rental, information or repair) and at least one discovery tour of the area by bike.
3. The Green Key
The Clé Verte is awarded to accommodations that make concrete efforts to protect the environment. One of the great advantages of this label is that it operates internationally, and can be found in 60 countries. This makes it the leading sustainable travel label for accommodation!
To obtain the Green Key, an establishment must meet comprehensive criteria, divided into 7 different themes, such as water management, responsible purchasing and waste management.
4. Accueil Vélo
Accueil Vélo aims tohelp cyclists on their travels. The label can be awarded to a wide range of establishments: accommodation, bike rental and repair outlets, restaurants, tourist offices and even tourist sites.
But no matter who it's awarded to, the Accueil Vélo label always offers the same guarantees:
- The establishment is less than 5 km from a cycle route
- It hasfacilities for cyclists
- A warm welcome, with information and advice
- The establishment provides practical services for cyclists, such as luggage transfer, bike washing or laundry.
5. The European ecolabel
The European ecolabel can be found throughout the European Union. It can be awarded to a wide range of products and services, from tourist accommodation to consumer products.
To obtain this sustainable travel label, you have to sign a strict set of specifications that includes over 60 criteria guaranteeing complete respect for the environment, from renewable energies to waste management.
6. LPO refuge
An LPO refuge is a public or private green space where the owner undertakes to respect nature. It can be obtained by municipal parks, balconies or gardens of private owners or companies, as well as by hotels.
To obtain it, the owner of the green space must sign a charter, making certain commitments to demonstrate that his or her green space is managed in harmony with biodiversity. These include installing nesting boxes and diversifying the landscaping to provide different shelters for living creatures.
7. Green Globe
This international sustainable tourism label, recognized by the World Tourism Organization, applies to all players in the tourism sector: accommodation, transport, cruise operators, restaurateurs, sites for sightseeing and tourist activities, etc. It is based on the pillars of sustainable development, and thus guarantees that the service provider implements a series of environmental, social, economic and cultural criteria.
8. Gîtes Panda
Gîtes Panda has been distributed since 1993 by the NGO WWF, whose logo is a panda. The logo is a panda. To obtain it, they must respect four pillars:
- Protection of ecosystems and biodiversity
- Inventory of plant and animal species on site
- Creation and maintenance of natural areas
- Reception of wildlife
9. Ecogites
Once again, this sustainable tourism label is aimed at gîtes! It certifies that the gîte has adopted a global ecotourism approach and is committed to reducing its environmental impact. To do so, it must sign a set of specifications structured around various themes, such as the presence of natural environments, the use of local and ecological materials, good management of energy, water and waste, and environmental education.
10. Ecotable
If you see the Ecotable label on an establishment, you can be sure that the restaurant is committed to eco-responsible eating. Écotable is a structure that supports restaurants in their ecological transition, and awards them a label divided into 3 levels (1, 2 or 3 écotables) according to their degree of commitment. The criteria for obtaining the label are extremely varied, covering a wide range of issues from greenhouse gas reductions to water, energy and waste management.
11. Green Food
This independent sustainable travel label is also aimed at restaurants. To obtain it, an establishment must comply with the Green Food charter, and may be subject to controls. The charter comprises 10 criteria:
- Use of local and organic products
- Implementation of selective sorting
- Use of environmentally-friendly cleaning products
- Reuse of unsold products
- Reuse of organic waste
- Just-in-time inventory management
- Reduced energy consumption
- Take-away containers for leftovers
- Availability of at least one vegetarian menu
- Use of renewable energies
12. Welcome to the Farm
Bienvenue à la Ferme is a very useful label for lovers of slow travel and agritourism enthusiasts. It is a network of farms that offer direct sales of their products, as well as tourist services. This label therefore indicates the possibilities for buying farm products and staying on the farm.
13. Blue Flag
The Blue Flag, directly represented by an azure flag floating above the site concerned, is awarded to sustainable beaches and harbors. It indicates respect for the environment, good water quality, sustainable waste management and efforts to raise public awareness.
14. Grand Site de France
The Grands Sites de France network, set up by the French Ministry of Ecology, is aimed at a handful of rare natural sites. To qualify, they must not only be of exceptional quality, but also implement a policy of environmental preservation. The Grands Sites de France are often subject to heavy visitor numbers, and must therefore take measures to protect themselves.
15. Valeurs Parc
The Valeurs Parc sustainable travel label only applies to businesses operating within one of France's nature parks. They must not only represent their heritage and culture, but also make conservation efforts. In other words, Valeurs Parc label holders are ambassadors for the natural park!
