The Ministry for Tourism and Public Cleanliness has embarked on a new project – THE GREEN MOBILITY HOTEL AWARD AND LABELLING SCHEME– which forms part of a comprehensive project entitled DESTINATIONS, financed under the CIVITAS – Horizon 2020 Programme.

https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/689031

Background on the DESTINATIONS Project

With a total of eleven work packages and a project value of around €20 million the DESTINATIONS project aims to build competences to cope with tourist mobility needs and those of residents by targeting a holistic and integrated planning approach, delivering sustainable mobility strategies and solutions at the destinations and countries of origin. Through such approach the project shall foster a sustainable mobility approach at tourist destinations and will support the development of innovative, quality tourism products and services to make destinations more attractive.

At a local level the project aims to promote sustainable urban mobility for residents and visitors alike in the Valletta Region (i.e. Inner and Outer Harbour Districts)[i]. This initiative is locally led by Transport Malta and will be implemented in collaboration with other European partners including Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Italy and Greece. Other local entities that will be involved in this project, include the University of Malta, the Valletta Local Council and the Ministry for Tourism and Public Cleanliness.

The Ministry for Tourism and Public Cleanliness’ component

The Ministry for Tourism and Public Cleanliness aims to develop a Green Mobility Hotel Award following an extensive consultation process with other public entities and with stakeholders in the hotel sector. This voluntary initiative shall commence as a pilot project and will focus on the operational practices that influence green mobility and which are relevant to the hotel industry. The criteria for this award will be based on an incremental model and will thus take into account both existing initiatives that are already being implemented by hotels as well as future projections which would require further investment. This initiative aims to incentivise further good practices in the same area whilst adding value to company image and business credentials.

The Green Mobility Hotel Award and Labelling Scheme which will be established through the implementation of this pilot project is complementary to other initiatives that are currently in place for the sector.

[i] VALLETTA Region Localities (Inner and Outer Harbour Districts as per NSO Classification)

Pembroke, Swieqi, San Gwann, Birkirkara, Qormi, Tarxien, Luqa, Marsa, Zabbar, Xgħajra, Fgura, Kalkara, Paola, Cospicua, Vittoriosa,  Senglea, Sliema, Gzira, Msida, Ta’ Xbiex, Pieta’, Gwardamangia, Valletta, Floriana, Paceville, St Julians, Santa Venera, Hamrun and Santa Lucija.