Environmental Quality Label 2.0 - ECST phase II: end of the first external audits.

It is about a distinguishing mark assigned by the Park to the Cinque Terre's tourism enterprises who have been involved with quality voluntary pathway, respect for the environment, enhancement of culture and local identity, following the EUROPARC Federation strategy given the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST). Cinque Terre Marine Protected Area was awarded the recognition during the first implementation phase in 2015.

"ECST phase II is referring directly to tourism companies that will therefore become real actors. - Explains the Director Patrizio Scarpellini - The system of accession is not just a label about the environmental impact of the activities on the area, but it is also a real chance for companies to solve tourism problems and to create a collaboration with the Park."

The new system adopted by the Park could rely on evaluators who will examine the different candidacies. They are trained by Federparchi and detected among the representatives of other Italian Protected Area Charts. Examinations will be then a chance to strengthen the Park network engaged in sustainability. 

The audits, occurred in these days in 19 tourism companies of Cinque Terre have been carried out by Gianni Caregnato from Parco Regionale dei Colli Euganei and by Valerio Palasciano from Parco Regionale delle Dune Costiere from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo. They have underlined: "beyond the requirement check, visits into the structures aim at highlighting the relationship between the owners and the guests, essential to understand the area and its environmental and cultural heritage."

Reports will be examinated by Federparchi so as to lay the foundations of the conclusive phases of the System of accession to the Environmental Quality Label.

"Thanks to the working group of the Label - ECST and of Cea that helped the certifiers." The Director Scarpellini says.