Mediterranean standard for sustainable tourism (MESST) – general requirements, objectives and the philosophy of MESST

Abstract

Tourism is an activity that can have a truly major impact on sustainable development. EU recorded in excess of 440m visitor arrivals in 2005. Tourism, directly and indirectly, accounts for around 10% of European GDP and 20m jobs. Europeans account for over half of all international travel, and visits by Europeans provide an important source of income for many developing countries. In 2005 the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) identified an agenda of 12 aims for sustainable tourism. The EU Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) has three key objectives: Economic prosperity, Social equity and cohesion and Environmental protection. Tourism businesses could function properly under the sustainability model and they have mentioned "environmental education programmes" and "establishment of co-operation and partnerships among local, regional and state stakeholders and authorities" as the most sustainable actions. The standard is and must be applicable to any organization that wishes to (a) Increase the environmental responsibility of tourism enterprises, (b) Increase the capacity of local administration on monitoring sustainable tourism, (c) Create a transactional network of shared planning and management policies for sustainable tourism, (d) Exchange best practices and knowledge in the field of sustainable tourism. This paper briefly describes the general requirements of MESST.

Evaluating a standard for sustainable tourism through the lenses of local industry

“…On the other hand, although the vast majority of the informants acknowledged the importance of sustainability for the tourism development of Rhodes, several bars and restaurant owners, travel agents and yacht company managers asserted that their main concern was to maximize their profits. This finding coincides with the results of the evaluation report on MESST in 2007, in which local entrepreneurs appeared to link tourism sustainability with the potential economic viability of their businesses (Zorpas et al., 2008). Based on that report the local tourism industry believed that the main priority of sustainability was to ensure long-term economic benefits, while ensuring the optimal use of environmental resources.…”

“…The Mediterranean Standard for Sustainable Tourism ( MESST) aimed to generate the transnational collaboration among Mediterranean countries, increase the competitiveness of tourism enterprises, upgrade the quality of tourism products/services and create an international zone of economic integration based on Barcelona principles (Zorpas et al., 2008). The overall objective of MESST was to develop a recognizable, applicable, voluntary, sustainability standard for Mediterranean destinations and tourism businesses.…”

“…The creation of voluntary standards as an integral part of EU tourism policy was expected to help maintain the leading position of European tourism destinations, increase the entrepreneurial skills of tourism professionals and promote tourism sustainability by providing funds for public authorities, non-governmental organizations, research institutions and professional organizations and particularly small/medium tourism enterprises (Commission of European Communities, 2007). The Mediterranean Standard for Sustainable Tourism (MESST) was one of these certification initiatives, funded by the INTERREG III B ARCHIMED program, and its ultimate goal was to stimulate cooperation among the regional and local tourism destinations of Southeast Europe, advance their competitiveness, upgrade the quality of tourism services and put sustainable tourism development into action (Zorpas et al., 2008).…”

Effects of safety and health training in metalworking small-sized enterprises

“…OSH is frequently pointed as a challenge for SMEs. Several factors have been identified to explain differences in OSH performance between SMEs and large enterprises, in particular the following ones: limited financial, human and technological resources; reduced knowledge about OSH matters by the employers; limited time to deal with these matters by the employer; attitudes of employers and workers away from OSH issues; difficulties in fulfil with legal requirements (Barbosa et al, 2019;Bonafede et al, 2016;Cagno et al, 2011;Champoux & Brun, 2003;Hasle et al, 2012;Mayhew, 2000;Micheli & Cagno, 2008;Masi & Cagno, 2015;Reinhold et al, 2015;Zorpas et al, 2008).…”

A critical review of classification of organisations in relation to the voluntary implementation of environmental management systems

“…Additionally, it was suggested that the responses of VSME to new requirements of the market were restricted through little access to further training; non participate in knowledge transfer or developing cross firm federation whilst producing high levels of waste (Zorpas et al, 2008). However, contradictory research suggests that SME"s experience distinct advantages over non-SME"s when implementing green initiatives including less bureaucracy, quicker response time and efficient internal communication (Van Hemel and Cramer, 2002).…”