Zurich as a sustainable holiday destination

Zurich, already renowned for its excellent quality of life, rich cultural and artistic offerings and a wide range of events and services, is once again establishing itself as one of the world's leading cities in responsible tourism, achieving the prestigious milestone of EarthCheck Silver certification.

 

 

This recognition, which attests to the adoption of the highest international standards of sustainability in tourism, represents not only an important milestone, but a further step towards a greener future. Zurich is the first Swiss city and one of the first in Europe to achieve this result. Zurich has thus established itself as a concrete example of how a city can grow harmoniously, balancing economic development and environmental protection.

 

 

In a context where mass tourism generates increasing pressures on the environment, Zurich stands out for its proactive approach to minimizing negative impacts. The city leveraged a close collaboration between local administrations, Zurich Tourism and a network of stakeholders, including hotels, service companies and local organizations, with the aim of transforming tourism into a lever for sustainable and responsible growth.

 

 

The internationally recognized EarthCheck certification was achieved after a rigorous two-year evaluation process, which analyzed 76 quantitative indicators, such as energy and water consumption, and 366 qualitative criteria. These results highlighted Zurich's excellence in several areas:

• optimal management of water resources,
• adoption of renewable energy,
• sustainable mobility, thanks to one of the most efficient public transport systems in the world,

 

 

EarthCheck is recognized as a world leader in certification and consulting for sustainable tourism destinations. Its criteria are based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and represent an international standard to ensure transparency, accountability and commitment to green tourism. With the Silver award, Zurich has already started the path to the next goal: the EarthCheck Gold certification, which can be achieved by maintaining Silver status for at least five consecutive years. This goal will be pursued with further investments in:

• sustainable infrastructure,
• public awareness,
• technological innovations that further improve resource management and environmental impact.

With the EarthCheck Silver certification, Zurich positions itself as a benchmark for responsible tourism, demonstrating that it is possible to combine economic growth with respect for the environment and social well-being. This vision not only improves the attractiveness of the city as a tourist destination, but also represents a guide for other European cities that intend to adopt more sustainable development models. Zurich, therefore, not only continues to excel, but is preparing to become an increasingly strong example of how tourism can be a tool for building a greener and more inclusive future.

 

 

By The Editorial staff, Avion Tourism Magazine

Text source and photo: © Zürich Tourism Press Office

Photo: Copyright © Zürich Tourism

 

---