Swiss sustainability label ibex fairstay now also for campsites
ibex fairstay developed together with Camping Lodge AG the methodology to promote and award sustainable campsites. Two pilot operations were successfully certified. Travelers who attach importance to a conscious use of resources, flora and fauna as well as the special features of the region when choosing a campsite can rely on the ibex fairstay label in the future.
(Maienfeld/Zug, October 27, 2022) Camping vacations have enjoyed even greater popularity since Corona and all the indications are that it will continue. Nature-based tourism is popular. But guests who specifically looked for a sustainably managed campsite did not find (in Switzerland) a corresponding label. Until now: ibex fairstay - the Swiss specialists for sustainability in the accommodation industry - adapted its methodology to the needs and requirements of campsites with the pilot operations of Camping Lodge AG and was able to directly label two operations.
Camping Lodge AG, which - supported by dedicated general managers - currently runs four campsites in Switzerland and is strongly committed to a sustainable vacation experience, submitted the request for sustainability certification for campsites to ibex fairstay. The project has been launched: With the pilot establishments Camping Alpenblick Unterseen, Camping Jungfrau Lauterbrunnen and Camping Erlach, the project was approached in an uncomplicated way under the leadership of ibex fairstay managing director Anita Gschwind and implemented step by step.
The aim was to identify the special features of the camping providers with their circumstances, team structures and challenges, to create measurable and comparable criteria and to develop concrete, practical measures. This resulted in the same added value for the campsite operators that numerous hotels, hostels, and soon also vacation rental providers already appreciate: a clear determination of the status quo of what has already been achieved and customized solution approaches for the improvement of a recognizable sustainability performance. And this across the five dimensions of Management, Ecology, Regionality, Social and Finance & Performance.
Offers with fixed rental units - glampings - are also checked for sustainability, as is the offer of a restaurant on the site. In the newly developed methodology, a distinction was made between camping with or without glamping or a restaurant. Great importance is also attached to biodiversity and the experience and discovery in the form of playgrounds, snack gardens or planting. Jan Vyskocil, Co-Chief Camper of the Camping Lodge, explains with conviction: "Taking care of this ecosystem, dealing with it respectfully and sustainably, this is our daily drive".
With Camping Alpenblick in Unterseen/Interlaken and Camping Erlach on Lake Biel, two pioneers were awarded the ibex fairstay label for the first time. Rebekka Zingg, sustainability manager of Camping Lodge AG, is proud of the two awards, of what has been learned in the past months and of the insights gained. She is especially proud of the two teams in Unterseen and Erlach for reaching this milestone. She will actively support Camping Jungfrau in Lauterbrunnen so that soon a third establishment can be awarded the ibex fairstay label for sustainable accommodation.