Green Destinations, the international organisation responsible for developing sustainable tourism, recognised Tartu as a Silver Level Green Destination.
Applying for a recognised quality label required the completion and defence of a report consisting of one hundred criteria, which mapped the current situation in Tartu in areas of importance for sustainable tourism.
Since the spring of 2020, Tartu has participated in the Green Destinations pilot project in cooperation with Enterprise Estonia’s Tourist Board and six other regions in Estonia. The aim of the project is to raise Estonia, including Tartu, onto the world map of green tourist destinations, in order to stand out as an attractive destination among visitors who appreciate sustainable tourism.
In order to gain international recognition, Tartu had to evaluate and defend its objectives, activities and values to date in a report consisting of one hundred criteria. The mapping covered the areas of destination management, culture, traditions, environment and climate, nature conservation, social welfare and hospitality. The report was followed by an international audit, during the course of which experts from various fields were interviewed in Tartu. As a result of the nearly year-long application process, Tartu was recognised as a Silver Level Green Destination.
Tartu’s participation in the Green Destinations program is being coordinated by Visit Tartu. Estonia’s participation in the Green Destinations programme is being financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the programme is being coordinated by Enterprise Estonia.