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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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🚵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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Four sustainable tourism events in Trebinje, Tivat, Vevcani and Belsh, were organized from 30 March to 6 April by the five Balkan Green partners from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia. The Roadshow raised awareness among destinations, businesses, and stakeholders on sustainable tourism topics, including: the Why, the How, and the Who on sustainability in tourism – Why should destinations and businesses get involved, highlighting regional good practice initiatives, lessons learned, post-pandemic travel trends, and more.
Over all 125+ participants from destinations, SMEs, and individual service providers attended the Roadshow over the course of four days.
The Roadshow and other Balkan Green activities are supported by the USAID Economic Development, Governance and Enterprise Growth Project (EDGE).
The first day of the BG Roadshow was dedicated to sustainability and what it means in tourism. For the first time public institutions, businesses, and policy makers had an opportunity to discuss and take initial steps toward a joint strategy for a sustainable future of BiH tourism.
The participants were welcomed and inspired by Mr. Albert Salman, founder and President of Green Destinations, who provided a framework for advancing sustainability in tourism in the region. Trebinje, as the first BiH destination to receive the Green Destinations recognition, shared experience and lessons learned with the audience.
During the day, five new destinations (Bosanska Krupa, Konjic, Kozara National Park, Skakavac Nature Monument, and Samac) signed up in the Green Destinations Top 100 Good Practice Story Competition 2023, while Trebinje signed up to pursuing the Green Destinations Award & Certification program.
A separate session was dedicated to the Good Travel Program, and Balkan Green partners Green Visions discussed the opportunities for businesses and provided in depth information about the processes and requirements, as well as benefits of the Good Travel Program certification.
At the end of a full day participants were treated to a networking event at Herzeg House, a cooperative promoting and selling goods from over 120 local companies and producers. Herzeg House is a 2021 Top 100 Story Award winner.
Tivat, Montenegro, a destination that received the Green Destinations Bronze award in 2022 for its sustainable development and monitoring efforts, started in 2020. Discussions focused on the municipality’s support programs for rural revitalization and how to make successful use of them – in the afternoon the group got insights into practical examples and challenges in the village of Gornja Lastva. Danica Banjevic, the Director of the Tivat Tourism Organisation, shared some interesting key figures, showing a stronger pre- and post-seasonal flow of visitors and overnight stays. The group also learned about balancing nature protection with responsible tourism promotion and management in the Special Nature Reserve Tivatska Solila, the 2020 winner of Top 100 Good Practice Stories in the category of Nature and Ecotourism.
Vevcani, Macedonia’s smallest municipality, and first participant in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story awards, appropriately hosted the Balkan Green roadshow in North Macedonia. In addition to the municipality of Vevcani, four businesses also began their journey towards sustainable development through Green Destinations’ Good Travel Program.
Welcomed by the mayor of Vevcani, we began our event by introducing Balkan Green and Green Destinations, bringing the programs closer to the participants, and talking about Vevcani’s journey and progress. We had the pleasure to be greeted and inspired by Albert Salman, Green Destinations founder and president. During our break we enjoyed some delicious traditional food prepared by local producers. This was followed by an interactive panel discussion on the Why, Who, and How and the realities in sustainable tourism with Jasminka Varnalieva from USAID-EDGE, Jana Apih from Good Place, Slovenia, Natalija Angelova from MES (Macedonian Ecological Society), and Thierry Jourbert from Green Visions, Bosnia & Herzegovina, moderated by Aleksandar Donev from Mustseedonia, which contributed to a lively discussion by participants from the private sector, destinations, donors, and Balkan Green partners.
This last stop on the Roadshow was marked by high level participation from Jasminka Varnalieva, Chief of Party of USAID EDGE Project, the Roadshow’s main financial supporter, and Green Destinations founder and president Albert Salman.
Participants were exposed to the central topic of branding and marketing sustainability in the area of tourism. Jana Apih of Good Place, the organization instrumental for creating and supporting “Slovenia Green” presented some of the best practices and lessons learned of Slovenia’s successful national sustainability program.
The afternoon sessions focused on public-private partnerships in tourism development, with a lively panel discussion between Elvis Kotherja from Elite Travel, Mirtjon Meta from RisiAlbania, Fetah Elezi, from the Inst. of Plant Genetic Resources, Agricultural University, Tirana, Kastriot Beshiri and Dritan Kamani.
A visit to the local Eco Park (https://www.instagram.com/dumrea_ecopark/) ended the day.
Cycling the Slovenia Green Gourmet Route is about more than pedaling from one breathtaking, hilltop village to another. A ride along this trail, which covers every corner of the country, is about all the places in between. It’s about biking past vineyards that suddenly extend across the horizon. It’s about sitting with friends for a great Michelin-starred experience … or at a local farm-to-table bistro for the meal of your life. It’s about coming to a panoramic locale with the Alps behind you and the Adriatic Sea ahead. The Slovenia Green Gourmet Route (SGGR) is about moving (and eating) across one of the world’s most sustainably minded countries, while taking in community stories and learning about an oft-overlooked culture at human speed.
The SGGR, which launched last year, is the perfect itinerary for rapidly evolving world travelers who demand everything: pleasure, adventure, and responsibility. Combining food, Slovenia Green-certified destinations, beautiful and varied landscapes, challenging and safe cycling, and “the world’s most sustainable country,” the SGGR has something for everyone but never forgets its roots — the communities scattered across this beautiful and magnificent Central European nation.
The route only visits green-certified destinations and crisscrosses nearly all of Slovenia, which was named the European Region of Gastronomy for 2021. The path provides all the information cyclists need to discover Slovenia along forest roads and quiet roads. The Green Gourmet Route makes food and wine a top priority and visits Michelin-starred restaurants (Michelin awarded Slovenia its first stars in 2020), great local bistros, farmers, and wineries. The itinerary was created to give travelers all the information necessary to drink in this country’s rich wine history and learn more about its expansive food culture.
The SGGR begins in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, and utilizes the country’s convenient train system to the Soča Valley, framed by the Alps. Cyclists then pedal to the Vipava Valley, roll into the Karst Region, and then take another train east. After discovering the Sava River region, travelers go north to Ptuj, along the Drava River, to Maribor.
The SGGR is a route that makes nature, food, great wine, and green-certified destinations its main must-see activities. But, perhaps the most important aspect of the new itinerary is that it makes the people along the trail its most important asset.
