Regulation and bureaucracy system audit. As mentioned in the cross-destination competitiveness diagnosis, the adequacy of the regulation is essential to foster sustainable development. Regulations are to enforce the policies determined in the strategic development plan, and so whenever there is any strategic shift or new practices are to be implemented, the regulation has to adapt to these changes.
Carrying out a regulation audit is to detect gaps in the present regulations with regards to the intended policies. This may mean some needed changes in the regulations, adding new articles within the existing regulations, or in some cases elaborating new regulations. The audit should state what kinds of behaviors, undesired actions or practices are being permitted by the current regulation to justify a change, and what risks are assumed by the current gaps.
Furthermore, there should be auditing of the bureaucracy system concerning the starting up procedures for new businesses to detect inefficiencies and bottlenecks that cause unnecessary delays. An agile bureaucracy system is an important factor that enhances chances of entrepreneurs and investors choosing the destination to set up a new business.
Eco-label system. To help some operators set themselves apart in terms of sustainability management, the implementation of an eco-label system may also help to foster an eco-friendly culture among the destination operators. There should be different eco-labels depending on the environmental impact degree of the operator, describing precisely the obligations, practices and constraints to comply with for every label category. These would be different depending also on the type of operator.
To extend the implementation of this eco-label system, it would be convenient to design an incentive system consisting of both fiscal and marketing incentives. These last ones may consist of privileged position in both marketing materials and activities.
Eco-labels are especially convenient for destinations marketing ecotourism related products, and also when targeting geographical markets that are especially sensitive to environmental issues such as the Nordic Countries, Germany, Australia, Canada, etc. This is a must have program for destinations intending to approach the vision of Tourism 3.0, as it is an effective and visible way to reduce negative impacts in the environment, enhancing sustainability.
Which other programs would you consider to enforce sustainability policies and others?
