Join us on an exhilarating journey through the Western Balkans as we uncover the true essence of sustainable tourism in North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our YouTube videos are a testament to the inspiring stories of those leading the way towards a greener, more responsible future for tourism in the region.
Immerse yourself in the unfolding story of sustainable tourism in North Macedonia, focusing on the pioneering destination of Vevchani. Vevchani has earned its place among the Top 100 Good Practice Stories for 2022, showcasing its unwavering commitment to sustainable development. Celebrate with us as four local businesses in Vevchani receive the prestigious Good Travel Seal certification, highlighting their dedication to sustainability and community upliftment. Explore the intersection of outdoor adventure and nature protection in Vevchani, witnessing how sustainable tourism practices are preserving the region's natural beauty while empowering local communities.
Embark on an incredible adventure as we explore the first movers of responsible tourism development in Montenegro, nestled between the mountains and the seaside. Discover the wild beauty of the Komarnica Canyon. Explore the surrounding villages, Tivatska Solila birdlife haven, and the marine wildlife in the Bay of Kotor.
Beyond biodiversity and business, learn from the pioneers of Montenegro's sustainable tourism, and explore their purpose, principles, and remarkable achievements.
Dive into the heart of responsible tourism as you are guided through Bosnia and Herzegovina's southern gem—Trebinje. Trebinje isn't just a picturesque Mediterranean town; it's a beacon and pioneer of sustainable tourism. Explore the Via Dinarica Blue Route and Orjen Protected Area, where outdoor adventure harmonizes with nature protection.
Discover how Trebinje has fostered a thriving environment for local farming and urban communities. Learn about their strategies for sustainable development and environmental protection.
Join us for a captivating compilation video that weaves together the inspiring stories from North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Witness the collective efforts of communities, businesses, and individuals striving for a more sustainable future in the Western Balkans.
Be inspired by the diverse landscapes, and innovative practices. Listen to heartfelt commitments to preserving the beauty of the region while uplifting local communities.
Dive into our YouTube channel and be part of the sustainable tourism movement in the Western Balkans!
We're excited to 🌿 Introduce Balkan Green 🌍, a regional sustainable tourism initiative with partners Terena in Albania, Green Visions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, HYVÄ Coaching & Consulting in Montenegro, Mustseedonia in North Macedonia, and Good Place in Slovenia.
🤝 Our mission? To build a strong and reliable network of professionals dedicated to sustainable tourism development in the region.
As the official representative of Green Destinations and Good Travel Program in the region 🏆, we have the incredible opportunity and responsibility to work with destinations and businesses, providing education, coaching, advisory services, and certification in sustainable tourism practices.
In the next period we will share concrete examples on how to make your tourism business more sustainable. From understanding sustainability criteria and green product development, to marketing, we're dedicated to assisting you make your business more responsible every step of the way.
Let's join forces to make a difference! Together, we can elevate sustainable tourism in the Balkans and ensure a better future for our region. 🌿🌍💚
Eliminating single-use plastic in your tourism business is a great initiative that can contribute to environmental sustainability. Here are some steps:
1. Conduct a plastic audit: Assess your business's current plastic usage to understand the extent of the problem and identify areas for change.
2. Set goals and create a plan: Establish specific goals and develop an action plan with clear steps and timelines for reducing or eliminating single-use plastic.
3. Educate and train staff: Raise awareness among employees about the importance of reducing single-use plastic and provide training on alternative solutions.
4. Provide alternatives: Replace single-use plastic items with sustainable options, such as installing water stations instead of providing plastic bottles or offering paper, bamboo, or metal straws as alternatives.
5. Engage with suppliers: Communicate your commitment to plastic reduction to suppliers and encourage them to provide products with minimal packaging or in bulk.
6. Raise awareness among guests: Educate guests about the importance of reducing single-use plastic and suggest ways they can participate, such as bringing their own bags or using refillable toiletry dispensers.
7. Collaborate with local initiatives: Support local environmental initiatives and partner with organizations promoting sustainable practices to have a broader impact.
8. Track progress and celebrate successes: Regularly monitor and measure progress, celebrate milestones, and communicate achievements to staff and guests to inspire continued engagement and motivate others.
Remember that eliminating single-use plastic is an ongoing process. Continuously assess and improve your practices to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of your tourism business.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Supporting local products and services in your sustainable tourism business is an excellent way to contribute to the local economy, preserve cultural heritage, and minimize the environmental impact of your operations. Here are some strategies you can implement:
1. Prioritize sourcing products and services from local suppliers and businesses to support the local economy.
2. Engage with the local community, involve them in decision-making processes, and seek their input to foster cooperation and ownership.
3. Promote and support local cultural traditions, festivals, and events while educating tourists about their significance.
4. Provide training and employment opportunities to local residents to enhance their skills and create job opportunities.
5. Implement sustainable practices in your operations, such as waste reduction, water and energy conservation, and recycling.
6. Raise awareness among tourists about the importance of supporting local products and services and their positive impacts.
7. Collaborate with local businesses, tourism associations, and organizations to strengthen the local tourism ecosystem.
8. Continuously seek feedback and make necessary adjustments to improve sustainable practices and align with local needs and objectives.
Remember, the key is to develop long-term relationships with the local community and integrate sustainability into every aspect of your tourism business. By doing so, you can create a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy while providing an authentic and enriching experience for your guests.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
When conducting trips and activities, it is crucial to consult and engage with the local communities to avoid any adverse effects on their access to livelihoods and resources. Here are some steps you can take:
🌲 Identify in the local communities groups that may be affected by your business activities. This can include local residents, indigenous communities, fishermen, farmers, and other relevant groups.
🍀 Engage in meaningful dialogue with the local communities to understand their needs, concerns, and aspirations. Actively listen to their perspectives and involve them in decision-making processes related to your business activities.
🪴Assess the potential impacts of your business activities on local access to livelihoods, land, aquatic resources, rights-of-way, transport, and housing.
♻️ Identify and implement ways to minimize any adverse effects on local access to livelihoods and resources. This can include measures such as land or resource restoration, alternative livelihood opportunities, or compensation for any losses incurred.
❇️Support and collaborate with local initiatives that promote sustainable development, community empowerment, and the protection of local livelihoods.
💹Regularly monitor and evaluate the impacts of your business activities, addressing concerns and ensuring satisfaction within the local communities.
By following these steps and actively involving the local communities in decision-making processes, you can work towards minimizing adverse effects on local access to livelihoods and ensure sustainable development in the areas where you operate.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Why is it important for tourism operators to inform guests about key sustainability aspects in the destination?
– Guests who are aware of the environmental impact of their actions are more likely to make conscious choices that minimize harm to the destination's ecosystems, such as conserving water
, reducing waste
, and respecting local flora and fauna
.
– By informing guests about the destination's unique cultural traditions, heritage sites, and indigenous communities, operators can raise awareness about the importance of respecting local cultures and traditions. This helps preserve the authenticity of the destination and ensures that tourism activities do not negatively
impact local communities.
– Sustainable tourism aims to ensure the long-term viability of a destination by balancing 
economic, environmental, and social factors. By informing guests about sustainability aspects, operators can foster a sense of responsibility and encourage sustainable practices among visitors. This can help reduce the negative impacts of tourism, such as overconsumption of resources, overcrowding, and strain on local infrastructure.
– Increasingly, travelers are seeking out destinations and operators that prioritize sustainability
. By proactively addressing sustainability issues and informing guests about their efforts, tourism operators can build a positive reputation among environmentally and socially conscious travelers.
Ultimately, the success of our industry hinges on our ability to foster a deep sense of responsibility and stewardship among travelers
. By equipping guests with knowledge about sustainability and encouraging them to make conscious choices, we can collectively protect our fragile ecosystems, celebrate and preserve diverse cultures, and uplift local communities.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
🚵Low-impact activities , such as outdoor sports like walking, hiking, and cycling, rural tourism, wildlife watching, non-motorized water sports, and insightful cultural activities, are crucial for several reasons:
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
When tour operators cause damages to the activity area and community, it is crucial for them to take responsibility and implement measures to
repair, compensate, and prevent future harm caused. Here are some ways tour operators can achieve this:
Immediate action: Assess the extent of the damages and take steps to prevent further harm. This may involve halting the activity temporarily, removing any hazardous materials 
, or securing the area to prevent additional damage.
Community
involvement and support: Engage with the affected stakeholders and involve them in the repair, compensation, and prevention process. Seek their input and involve local residents in the restoration activities, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
Environmental restoration: Develop a comprehensive plan 
for restoring the natural environment or any damaged infrastructure. This may involve activities like replanting vegetation, repairing trails or pathways, cleaning up pollution, or restoring habitats for local wildlife.
Financial compensation: Work with local stakeholders to determine a fair and equitable compensation structure that considers the extent of the harm caused.
Long-term sustainability: Implement sustainable practices to minimize future damages, including training guides and staff on environmental conservation, adhering to responsible tourism practices, and monitoring the impact of activities on the area and community.
It's essential for tour operators to prioritize the well-being of the environment and local communities, and to take proactive steps to repair damages and provide fair compensation. By demonstrating responsible practices and fostering positive relationships 
, tour operators can help rebuild trust and contribute to the sustainable development of the activity area.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Eco-driving is a method to decrease fuel consumption and CO2 emissions without needing to upgrade a vehicle's technology. Driving behavior, along with factors like weather and road conditions, can have a significant impact on fuel efficiency. By adopting eco-driving habits, it is possible to save a noteworthy amount of fuel (up to 10-20% with professional training) while also improving road safety.
Additionally, eco-driving has the following benefits:
Use the following set of recommendations to create an eco-driving code for your drivers and transport companies
– Drive at the designated speed limit 🚫and use lower gears to save carbon emissions.
– Use the engine more consciously by letting go of the gas pedal in time.
– Check your route 🗺️ before leaving to avoid traffic and prevent getting lost.
– Adopt a relaxed and defensive driving style, and look ahead to avoid sudden stops (e.g., by anticipating traffic jams or red lights and easing off the gas pedal).
– Avoid idling; instead, switch off the engine when anticipating a long wait (e.g., at railroad tracks or checkpoints).
– Remove the roof rack or any unnecessary accessories when not in use.
– Check tire pressure before leaving.
– Use heating 🔥or air conditioning only when necessary.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
All employees of the company have an employment contract, including labor conditions and a job description. The company pays employees at least a living wage which is equal to or above the legal minimum.
A living wage is the remuneration a worker receives for a standard workweek. The amount should be sufficient to afford a decent standard of living for the worker and their family. Elements of a decent standard of living include food🍎, wate💦r, housing🏘️ , education📚, health care🏥 , transportation🚙, clothing, and other essential needs, including provision for unexpected events.
The living wage is often defined by law and redefined on a yearly basis; however, it can be incremented by companies to ensure their employees will earn enough to live, based on the real cost of living in their respective countries.
In the employment contracts, the salary/wage must be mentioned and be of an accepted level in your country.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
We love coffee ☕️, and we 😡hate these plastic spoons!
Can anyone help with a quick calculation? Let's take Montenegro as an example, considering only the inhabitants and not even counting the tourists’ consumption. Montenegro 🇲🇪has approximately 650,000 inhabitants, of which maybe half have one coffee per day in a cafe, restaurant, or at work. This amounts to 325,000 coffees per day.
If 90% of these coffees are served with a plastic spoon (which seems to be the case), it means there are 292,000 single-use plastic spoons used per day. Unfortunately, not all of them end up in the garbage; we find them in various places.
Let's assume there are 300 such days in a year, resulting in a total of 292,000 spoons multiplied by 300 days. This amounts to 87 million single-use plastic spoons per year, just in Montenegro. Over five years, this adds up to 439 million spoons 🥄🥄🥄or over 1,000 tonnes, which eventually end up in landfills, rivers, lakes, seas, and harm wildlife such as fish and birds. Ultimately, these microplastics affect all of us.
Therefore, let's go back to a coffee culture that embraces real spoons that can be washed 💦 and reused ♼, just like cups are.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Četiri događaja održivog turizma su organizovana u Trebinju, TIvtu, Vevčanima i Belshu u periodu od 30.marta do 6.aprila. Organizatori su pet Balkan Green partnera iz Albanije, Bosne i Hercegovine, Crne Gore, Sjeverne Makedonije i Slovenije. Četiri Roadshow događaja su podigla svijest među destinacijama, biznisima i drugim zainteresovanim o temam relevatnim za održivi turizam, a koje uključuju: Zašto, kako i ko u održivom turizmu – zašto se destinacije i biznisi trebaju uključiti, najglašavajući inicijative dobre prakse u regionu, naučene lekcije, trendove putovanja u periodu nakon pandemije, i druge.
Preko 125 učesnika koji dolaze iz destinacija, MSP-a, kao i individualnih pružaoca usluga u turizmu su prisustvovali Roadshow događajima tokom ova četiri dana.
Roadshow i druge Balkan Green aktivnosti su podržane od USAID Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth Project (EDGE).
Prvi dan Balkan Green Roadshow je posvećen održivosti i šta ona tačno znači u i za turizam. Po prvi put su javne institucije, biznisi i donosioci politika imali priliku da razgovaraju i preduzmu početne korake ka zajedničkoj strategiji za održivu budućnost turizma u BiH.
Učesnike je pozdravio i inspirisao g. Albert Salman, osnivač i Predsjednik Green Destinations-a, koji je predstavio okvir za unapređenje održivosti u turizmu u regionu. Trebinje, kao prva destinacija u BiH koja je prepoznata od strane Green Destinations, je podijelilo svoja iskustva i naučene lekcije.
Tokom dana pet novih destinacija (Bosanska Krupa, Konjic, Nacionalni park Kozara, Spomenik prirode Skakavac, and Šamac) je zvanično pristupilo Green Destinations Top 100 Good Practice Story 2023 takmičenju, dok je Trebinje pristupilo certifikacijskom programu Green Destinations Award & Certification Program.
Posebna sesija je posvećena Good Travel programu tokom kojeg je Balkan Green partner Green Visions razložio mogućnosti za biznise i ponudio detaljne informacije o procesima i zahtjevima, kao i o prednostima koje donosi certifikacija prema Good Travel Programu.
Na kraju punog dana učesnici su uživali u događaju u Hercegovačkoj kući, kooperativi koja promoviše i prodaje proizvode preko 120 lokalnih kompanija i proizvođača, tokom kojeg su imali priliku i za neformalno druženje i umrežavanje. Hercegovačka kuća je pobjednik takmičenja Top100 2021 održivih priča.
Tivat, Crna Gora, destinacija koja je dobila bronzanu Green Destinations nagradu 2022. godine za napore ka održivom razvoju i praćenju rezultata kroz proces u koji je Tivat krenuo još 2020. godine. Razgovor se fokusirao na opštinske programe podrške za revitalizaciju ruralnih područja i kako da takvi programi budu uspješni, a tokom poslijepodneva su učesnici imali priliku saznati detaljnije o praktičnim primjerima i izazovima sa kojima se suočilo selo Gornja Lašva. Danica Banjevic, direktorica Turističke organizacje Tivat, je podijelila interesantne podatke koji ukazuju na povećanje broja posjetilaca i noćenja u pred- i post-sezonskim terminima. Učesnici su također saznali o iskustvima u iznalaženju ravnoteže između zaštite prirodnih resursa i promocije i upravljanja odgovornim turizmom u Specijalnom prirodnom rezervatu Tivatska Solila, pobjedniku takmičenja Top100 Priče dobre prakse 2020 u kategoriji Priroda i ekoturizam ( Nature and Ecotourism).
Vevcani, najmanja makedonska opština, i prvi makednoski učesnik takmičenja Green Destinations Top 100 Priče, ugostila je Balkan Green Roadshow u Sjevernoj Makedoniji. Uz opštinu Vevčani, i četiri biznisa su krenula na putovanje održivog razvoja kroz Green Destinations Good Travel Program.
Dobrodošlicu u Vevčane poželio nam je gradonačelnik. Program smo počeli predstavčjanjem Balkan Green-a i Green Destinations-a, upoznavajuči prisutne sa programima, kao i putovanju i napretku koje je Vevčani do sada postiglo. Imali smo zadovoljstvo poslušati inspirativno obraćanje g. Alberta Salmana, osnivača i Predsjednika Green Destinations. Tokom pauze u radu uživali smo u tradicionalnim jelima koja su pripremili lokalni proizvođači. Interaktivna panel diskusija o tome Zašto, ko i kako i realnostima vezanim za održivi turizam tokom koje su sa nama podijelili svoja iskustva i saznanja Jasminka Varnalieva (USAID-EDGE), Jana Apih (Good Place, Slovenija), Natalija Angelova (MES-Macedonian Ecological Society), and Thierry Jourbert (Green Visions, Bosna i Hercegovina), koju je moderirao Aleksandar Donev iz Mustseedonia, doprinijela je živoj diskusiji učesnika iz privatnog sektora, destinacija, donatora i Balkan Green partnera koja je uslijedila.
Posljednju stanicu Roadshow-a je označilo učešće visokih gostiju kao što su gradonačelnik Belsha, Arif Tafani, Jasminka Varnalieva, Šef projekta USAID EDGE, glavnog finansijskog partnera Roadshow serije, te osnivača i Predsjednika Green Destinations-a, Alberta Salmana.
Učesnici su čuli informacije o centralnoj temi brendiranja i marketinga održivosti turizma. Jana Apih iz Good Place-a, organizacije koja je bila i još uvijek je instrumentalna u stvaranju i održanju programa “Slovenija Green” prezentovala je neke od najboljih praksi i naučenih lekcija slovenačkog uspješnog nacionalnog programa održivosti.
Poslijepodnevna sesija se fokusirala na javno-privatna partnerstva u razvoju turizma, sa živom panel diskusijom panelista: gradonačelnika Tefani, Elvisa Kotherja iz Elite Travel, Mirtjon Meta iz RisiAlbania, Fetah Elezi iz Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (Poljoprivredni univerzitet, Tirana) i Kastriot Beshiri i Dritan Kamani.
Dan je završen posjetom lokalnom Eko parku (https://www.instagram.com/dumrea_ecopark/).
Biciklistička tura Slovenia Green gastronomska ruta je više od pedalanja od jednog do drugog sela koje oduzima dah. Vožnja ovom stazom, koja pokriva svaki kutak zemlje, je o svim mjestima između. Radi se o biciklizmu uz vinograde koji se iznenada protežu preko horizonta. Radi se o sjedenju sa prijateljima za sjajno iskustvo sa Mišelinovim zvjezdicama… ili u lokalnom bistrou na obroku vašeg života od prirodne, organske hrane. Radi se o dolasku na panoramsku lokaciju sa Alpima iza vas i Jadranskim morem ispred. Slovenia Green gatsronomska ruta (SGGR) obuhvata kretanje (i ishranu) kroz jednu od najodrživijih zemalja na svijetu, dok uzima u obzir priče zajednice i uči o često ljudskom brzinom previđenoj kulturi.
SGGR, koja je pokrenuta prošle godine, savršena je tura za brzo evoluirajuće svjetske putnike koji zahtijevaju sve: zadovoljstvo, avanturu i odgovornost. Kombinujući hranu, zelene destinacije Slovenije, prelijepe i raznovrsne pejzaže, izazovne i bezbjedne biciklističke staze i „najodrživiju zemlju na svijetu“, SGGR ima ponešto za svakoga, ali nikada ne zaboravlja svoje korijene — zajednice raštrkane po ovoj prelijepoj i veličanstvenoj centralnoevropskoj državi.
Trasa obilazi samo zelene sertifikovane destinacije i prelazi skoro cijelu Sloveniju, koja je proglašena za Evropski gastronomski region za 2021.godinu. Staza pruža sve informacije koje su biciklistima potrebne da otkriju Sloveniju šumskim stazama i mirnim putevima. Zelena gastronomska ruta čini hranu i vino glavnim prioritetom i posjećuje restorane sa Mišelinovim zvjezdicama (Mišelin je Sloveniji dodijelio prve zvjezdice 2020.godine), sjajne lokalne bistroe, poljoprivrednike i vinarije. Trasa je napravljena kako bi putnicima pružila sve potrebne informacije o bogatoj istoriji vina ove zemlje i kako bi saznali više o njenoj ekspanzivnoj kulturi hrane.
SGGR počinje u glavnom gradu Slovenije, Ljubljani, i koristi pogodan sistem vozova do doline Soča, okružene Alpima. Biciklisti zatim pedalaju do Vipavske doline, ulaze u kraški region, a zatim idu drugim vozom na istok. Nakon otkrivanja regiona rijeke Save, putnici idu na sjever do Ptuja, duž rijeke Drave, do Maribora.
SGGR je ruta koja prirodu, hranu, odlično vino i zelene destinacije čini glavnim aktivnostima koje se moraju vidjeti. Ali, možda najvažniji aspekt ove nove trase je da čini ljude duž staze svojim najvažnijim sredstvom.
