Recommendations for businesses
Sustainable and environmentally aware activities involve all areas of a business. We have created a practical toolbox for tourism entrepreneurs, which should help both those taking their first steps as well as experienced entrepreneurs looking for new product development ideas.
Sustainability is here to stay. We see the future Tallinn as a welcoming, internationally known and valued sustainable destination. In order to achieve this goal, both local entrepreneurs as well as the city’s inhabitants can contribute. We know that Tallinn has clean air, tasty food, countless parks and a long shoreline, interesting cultural heritage and exciting museums. Let’s maintain our heritage and environment so that the following generations can also be part of it.
Tallinn tourism strategy and development fields for the forthcoming years (in Estonian)
“Tallinn 2035” envisions Tallinn as an attractive tourist destination that exceeds visitors’ expectations.
Tallinn’s tourism is sustainable. This means that: tourism is sustainable for the local environment, history, and cultural heritage and creates value for the local community. Therefore the capital’s tourism development will focus on Tallinn being an internationally appealing destination where tourism positively affects the wellbeing of locals. Sustainable tourism in Tallinn considers current and upcoming economic and social and environmental impacts, satisfying the needs of visitors, the tourism industry and those of the local environment and community.
Since the year 2021, Tallinn city has been taking part in the Global Destination Sustainability Index sustainable tourism destination auditing program.
Environmental management instruments and labels
Environmental management is the organisation of environmental activity according to a plan, which helps organisations approach environmental issues holistically and integrate the guidelines of environmental sustainability naturally into their activity plan and everyday activities. An environmental management instrument is part of an organisation’s management instruments that sets the basis for systematic and documented environmental activity.
More generally, environmental management instruments can be divided into standardised environmental management instruments (e.g. in line with standards ISO 14401 or the European Union’s EMAS regulation) and the so called simplified environmental management instruments (e.g. green office, green museum, green key, green school).
An environmental management label is above all a tool for self-regulation and control. A label will give knowledge and assurance that the company’s business processes have been well led, goal-oriented and environmentally sustainable.
Labels and standards most widely used in Estonia
Green Key – for accommodation and catering services and attractions
Green Destinations – for destinations
Travelife – for travel bureaus and trip organisers
Estonian Eco label – for catering businesses
Green Museum – for museums
ISO 14001:2015 – for tourism businesses
Courses and self-assessment
HEAK seminars on inspirational hospitality
Visit Estonia’s sustainable entrepreneur pacesetter
Visit Estonia’s self-assessment form will help formulate and understand how much an entrepreneur is already using sustainable practices in their everyday work.
It’s important to consider which metrics can be used to assess your goals and activities.
Sustainable communications
Visit Estonia’s communication strategy is in English so that it’s easier for entrepreneurs to use the ideas and text in their marketing. Instructions (in Estonian) have been created that provide guidelines for texts, content and image material.
We recommend using the material on your business’s website when marketing sustainable products and services. Make sure that your sustainable communications are available in both Estonian and English.
International organisations and action plans
Global Sustainable Tourism Council
European Commission – the green transition of tourism
UNTWO (World Tourism Organization) – The Glasgow Declaration on climate action in tourism