The
biosphere Swabian Alb is located southeast from Stuttgart and attracts many
tourists with its variety and beauty of landscape and the many alternatives for
natural activities. In June 2009, the
area was declared biosphere reserve by the UNESCO. This obligates special care
for sustainable development. To push a sustainable tourism development,
touristic SMEs that actively support the sustainable maintenance of this area
will be recognized as official partner by the biosphere reserve. On the basis
of ambitious criteria concerning aspects like environment, service quality,
regional purchase of food etc., these hotels form the association of biosphere
hotels. The implementation of EMAS, as the European premium system in
environmental management, is precondition to become biosphere hotel.
Environmental management with EMAS
Environmental management with EMAS belongs to the standard of sustainable and committed working companies. The responsible usage of resources, legal compliance, the improved process organization and public information are the core elements of the system. Environmental management structures the environmental impact of a company and supports the continuous improvement of the environmental performance. To reconcile economy and ecology is one aim of the biosphere hotels. This is absolutely mandatory to preserve the region and to offer an added value to the clients.
Cluster training as success factor
In December 2009, eleven hoteliers in the cluster had their first EMASeasy Workshop. Since then they had several workshops and on-site visits. The data capture of environmental performance indicators was facilitated by avanti GreenSoftware. Above all, the team work and the exchange of experiences within the cluster helped the SMES to implement the ambitious system. Consulting was provided by the Centre for Ecology & Development –KATE Stuttgart. With 80% of the consulting costs this cluster was supported by the Baden-Wuerttemberg Ministry of Environment.
The following hotels and restaurants belong to the MOVE-it cluster and have successfully implemented environmental management:
- Hotel Gasthof Hermann, 72525 Münsingen
- Hotel Gasthof Krone, 89584 Ehingen-Dächingen
- Brauerei Gasthof Lamm GmbH, 72531 Hohenstein-Ödenwaldstetten
- Hotel Post, 89150 Laichingen-Feldstetten
- Hotel Gasthof Rössle, 72589 Westerheim
- Schmid’s Hotel- und Erlebnisgastronomie AG, 72574 Bad Urach
- Tress Gastronomie, Naturerlebnis Wimsener Höhle, 72534 Hayingen-Wimsen
- Landhotel Wittstaig, 72525 Münsingen-Gundelfingen
- Stausee-Hotel, 72555 Metzingen-Glems
- Hotel Restaurant Schwanen, 72555 Metzingen
- Flair Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, 72574 Bad Urach
Regarding the regional and touristic development of the Biosphere Reserve there are several important stakeholders:
- The biosphere reserve office
- Local authorities and municipalities
- Tourism organizations
- Touristic service providers: accommodation services, restaurants, other touristic attractions
Latest news | 05. January - Devin municipality in Bulgaria endorses local environmental Charter In the framework of the EMAS Easy MOVE-IT! project, 4 hotels in Devin (Bulgaria) - Ismena, Persenk, Orpheus, and Euridika, along with the municipality and the local Hunting and Fisherment Union will sign on January 13, 2012 the Charter for Sustainable SPA & Wellness destinations. |