Published 16. July 2019.
Croatian tourism leader Valamar Riviera is the first national tourism company to have received the EU Ecolabel for tourist accommodation for as many as six campsites: Istra Premium Camping Resort 5* in Funtana, Ježevac Premium Camping Resort 4* and Krk Premium Camping Resort 5* on Krk, Lanterna Premium Camping Resort 4* and Solaris Camping Resort 3* in Tar and Orsera Camping Resort 3* in Vrsar.
The EU Ecolabel promotes environmental excellence and helps identify products and services that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from the extraction of raw material through to production, use and disposal. This label focuses entirely on environmental sustainability. The awarding criteria have been developed and agreed upon by scientists, NGOs and stakeholders, while EU Ecolabel products and services are assessed by independent experts to secure the achievement of high standards regarding reduced environmental impact.
“EU Ecolabel conveys a clear message to all travelers and tourists that the accommodation they use respects the environment and is energy-efficient. I am certain that with these six campsites holding this label, we are directly increasing our competitive edge on the large and significant European market that recognizes green products and services,” said Environmental Protection and Energy Minister Tomislav Ćorić.
According to the awarding requirements, tourist accommodation needs to be compliant with each of the 22 compulsory criteria covering general management, energy efficiency, use of renewable sources of energy, rational use of water, waste and wastewater reduction and management and other criteria. It also needs to be compliant with a sufficient number of the remaining 45 criteria to receive the required points.
The criteria aim at promoting the use of renewable energy sources, energy and water saving, waste reduction and the improvement of the local environment.
“Valamar systematically applies high standards to protect the environment as the key resource in tourism. The prestigious EU Ecolabel has a dual purpose: it assures that our products and services comply with high environmental protection standards and motivates our guests and partners to make a greener choice when choosing among the products and services on the market,” said Željko Kukurin, CEO at Valamar Riviera. “Green Valamar” is one of the nine CSR umbrella programs at the company. This program includes energy efficiency projects and various environmental protection initiatives in the context of everyday operations as well as awareness-raising activities among guests, employees and the local community that stress the importance of preserving the Adriatic coast and sea. Overall, HRK 22 million were invested in 2018 in projects included in this program.