Focus on the VESTAS number 11: LIJEPA NASA

LIJEPA NASA is one of the first European certification agencies to join with the VESTAS and nominate their chosen members for a 2011 VESTA award

In this eleventh focus on the VESTAS: Vision European Sustainable Tourism Awards LIJEPA NASA introduces itself and its aims

The first VESTA winners will be announced at ITB Berlin in 2011 at the Responsible Tourism Networking event on Friday 11 March.

20 of the approximately 50 eligible certification agencies have now partnered with the VESTA awards.

Marinka Kute of LIJEPA NASA talks to Valere Tjolle of Vision on Sustainable Tourism:

Valere Tjolle: Could you give me the full name of your certification and its history (when did it start? Who are the guiding team and what do they do?)
Marinka Kute: the name of our Association is Lijepa naša. Association Lijepa naša was founded in 1990. with the mission to promote ecological awarness, especially education of children and youth. Since 1997. Association Lijepa naša is member of FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education).

Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation aiming to promote sustainable development through environmental education (formal school education, training of staff and general awareness raising).

FEE (Kopenhagen, Denmark) is mainly active through our five environmental education programmes: Blue Flag, Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment, Learning about Forests and Green Key. FEE is an international umbrella organisation with one national member organisation per country representing FEE on the national level and in charge of implementing FEE programmes nationally. FEE has member organisations in 60 countries worldwide.

VT: What organizations are certified? Where are they? What are they certified for?
MK: The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development at beaches and marinas through publicly awarding sites that meet strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services. A few of the issues covered in the criteria include cleanliness, provisions for waste and recycling, zoning of activities, and environmental education activities for a variety of people. The Programme has also recently started a voluntary scheme for private boat owners called the Individual Blue Flag, which boaters can fly if they have signed and agreed to follow an environmental code of conduct. 

VT: In your view, what has your and other certification programmes achieved so far and what have they failed to achieve?
MK: The Blue Flag programme started in 1987 in 10 European countries. Since then the number of awarded sites and number of participating countries in Europe have increased.  In 2010 more than 3450 beaches and marinas in 41 countries worldwide were awarded with Blue flag.

VT: Which best practices have you nominated for the VESTAS and why?
MK: In the Blue  Flag programm in Croatia in 2010. were include more than 130 beaches and marinas. We hope that in 2011. number of awarded beach and marinas will grow. Blue Flag programme helps us to protect our sea, seaside and enviroment.

Beaches and marinas which we have nominated for Vestas were nominated because they are the best at conducting Blue Flag programme  and have special care for environment.

See all the nominations HERE at VESTAS

See the

VESTA STORY

Valere Tjolle

Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 latest special offer at www.travelmole.com/stories/1146423.php