As part of the Westerwald Tourism Day on August 28, 2024 at the Westerwald Brewery in Hachenburg, the region officially received the "Sustainable Destination" award. Dr. Peter Zimmer, Managing Partner and CEO of TourCert GmbH, presented the sustainability certification to Oliver Filby, Sustainability Officer of Westerwald Touristik-Service GbR, who represented the destination.
The event also celebrated the certification of nine out of eleven partner businesses that are playing a pioneering role in the sustainable development of tourism in the region. The partner businesses in attendance who were recognized for their outstanding achievements in sustainability include:
- Camping im Eichenwald, Mittelhof
- Flurhof Fischer, Bad Marienberg
- Glockenspitze Hotel Betriebsgesellschaft, Altenkirchen
- Hiens Bistro, Puderbach
- Hotel Heinz GmbH, Höhr-Grenzhausen
- Hotel Zugbrücke Grenzau, Höhr-Grenzhausen
- Restaurant Maracana, Altenkirchen
- Tourist Information Hachenburger Westerwald, Hachenburg
- Tourist Information Haiger, Haiger
The certificates for the missing businesses "Ferienwohnung Sayntalblick" in Caan and "Ferienwohnung Seidenglanz" in Dillenburg, which were not present at the event, were presented in person on Tuesday, September 25, 2024.
A sustainable path for the Westerwald
The certification process included a comprehensive analysis of the ecological, economic and socio-cultural sustainability of the region in order to promote sustainable development in the environment, economy and community. A key element was the establishment of a partner network of tourism businesses and the creation of a destination-wide council to improve sustainability. As a further step, the sustainability report is published in the Westerwald tourism network, with an external audit confirming that all TourCert criteria have been met.
The TourCert sustainability system
The TourCert sustainability system offers destinations valuable benefits and supports them on their path to responsible and sustainable tourism. It enables a credible competitive positioning, strengthens the skills of employees and promotes cooperation with tourism service providers.
Looking to the future
With the certification, the Westerwald commits to continuously improving the destination's sustainability performance. This is done in close cooperation with the tourism businesses and the regional community. In order to further promote the positive development of tourism in the Westerwald, additional partner businesses are welcome to become part of the partner network.
Contact for further information:
Oliver Filby
Westerwald Touristik-Service GbR
Phone: +49(0)26 02 / 30 01 - 25
E-mail: filby@westerwald.info
Website: www.westerwald.info