Observer Scientific Tourism by ObserverScienceTourism

THE INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION SYSTEM OF SCIENTIFIC TOURISM OBSERVER® General information and certification procedure of the natural protected areas as destinations in Scientific Tourism through Observer®

OBSERVER® Certification System

General Information Observer® is the first International Certification System that combines dissemination of scientific knowledge and tourism. The system was created to promote and improve the quality of the experiences provided by scientific tourism, an emerging, sustainable and quality segment. Our main objective is to foster the use of natural and cultural resources for scientific dissemination, to promote and develop touristic, educational and recreational activities related to science in any of its fields. What characterizes us exclusively is offering the acreditation support in accordance with Observer® standards that attest the effort and commitment in the process of scientific knowledge dissemination, scientific quality and continuous improvement of scientific tourism activities caried out in a particular territory or natural protected area.

Observer® Certification System, approved by a scientific committee of independent experts, provides a model of tourism development focused on launching an offer of products and services that respects the quality and scientific rigor taking into account the informative and entertainment aspect, as well as the nature conservation and ecological values as a common point promoted by this methodology. Observer® Certification methodology cotains a personalized participative action program and a set of recommendations aiming to promote, improve and increase the number of activities based on knowledge and knowledge dissemination provided by scientific tourism. The stamp will allow operators of the certified destinations to be part of Observer®Network, which include areas dedicated to science, scientific values and scientific knowledge dissemination.

OBSERVER. SCIENTIFIC TOURISM. Edificio FEUGA, Campus Sur S/N 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, SPAIN. phone: +34 881979630/ +34 677347259. www.observersciencetourism.com and ww.fazconsultora.com

OBSERVER® Destination Classification

Observer® Destinations were classified according to the type of tourist destinations that are characterized not only by having natural value, but also by taking the commitment to promote and carry out scientific tourism activities and to disseminate the scientific knowledge generated by it. The classification system emphasizes the effort made to preserve scientific values and certificate the quality of the infrastructure, services and tourism products offered by the classified natural areas or territories. The 5 categories of Observer® Destinations were established according to the type of the unit management, the natural or cultural space where the scientific tourism activities are carried out and the process of knowledge dissemination within them.

City Observer® A City Observer® proposes a certification procedure that promotes and develops activities focused on Scientific Tourism and scientific knowledge dissemination of different social and cultural fields.There are scientific cities engaged in generating and promoting a scientific culture in the society. They are also aware of the importance of scientific culture and have an active involvement in creating educational, cultural and touristic programs in order to disseminate the knowledge generated by the scientific research. In general, they establish close connections with the nearby universities. Such certification is offered to urban settlements that have a particular natural and cultural heritage, that represents a unique resource for carrying out scientific touristic activities and scientific knowledge dissemination. This is a complex category because the population of these cities have a diverse level of involvement in scientific activities and in the process of scientific knowledge dissemination. For this reason, there have been establishing different value levels of the category of City Observer® depending on the size, population and resources. These levels will be measured according to Capacity Observer® and Effort Observer®, the indicators that assess the capacity (natural re sources) of a territory to carry out science-related activities and the effort made for scientific knowledge dissemination in their development model.

OBSERVER. SCIENTIFIC TOURISM. Edificio FEUGA, Campus Sur S/N 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, SPAIN. phone: +34 881979630/ +34 677347259. www.observersciencetourism.com and ww.fazconsultora.com

OBSERVER® Destination Classification

Observer® Scientific Reserves These are natural areas with exceptional characteristics and values, whose richness and natural peculiarities turn them into unique places where scientific activities have already been taken place, not only touristic but also related to scientific research. Such certification can be obtained by: Biosphere Reserves, Natural Parks, Protected Areas, Islands, enclaves and territories with a unique potential. Scientific tourism plays a particularly important role in these areas, representing a sustainable promoter for the development of the local economy. Observer® Spot These are specific points of scientific interest. This category includes those elements of natural and cultural heritage (patrimony), which represents a unique resource through which scientific dissemination activities take place: museums, monuments, botanical gardens, forests, etc. Observer® Routes These are routes, expeditions, walks or itineraries whose theme is related to any of the scientific fields. Observer® Areas These are those settlements/ establishments that, in addition to offering quality services and properquality infrastructure, participate and support the realization of scientific activities and dissemination of scientific knowledge. They give information to their clients on local scientific tourism activities and other areas of the Observer® Network. Such certification may be obtained by cottages, rural houses, restaurants/ taverns, shops, cafes, libraries, factories or companies that meet the requirements.

OBSERVER. SCIENTIFIC TOURISM. Edificio FEUGA, Campus Sur S/N 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, SPAIN. phone: +34 881979630/ +34 677347259. www.observersciencetourism.com and ww.fazconsultora.com

Application for OBSERVER® Certification

Observer® Certification may be required by public and private institutions of the place and areas relevant to be certified or where it may be developed dissemination knowledge activities and scientific tourism activities.

This evaluation criteria has the role of distinguishing and measuring the capacity of certain areas to promote scientific activities, from both a touristic and a scientific society outreach perspective.

The application requirement will be made by submitting a form with detailed information of the relevant area and of the managing unit. Once the application has been submitted, Observer® evaluation committee will decide whether the applicant meets the minimum requirements for starting the certification procedure. Audit

Upon completion of the evaluation procedure, the auditor will issue an informative report that will be evaluated in detail by Observer® Evaluation Committee, which decides the initiation of the certification stage. Certification stage

To obtain Observer® certification, the managing unit has to has to go through our audit procedure. The Audit Procedure consists of an evaluation and a report made by an auditor assigned for that purpose in the relevant area. The evaluation procedure will focus on two components: • Natural and cultural heritage; • Dissemination of scientific knowledge and scientific tourism activities. The procedure take into acceount the characteristics of the natural resources of the areas or the possibilities for carrying out scientific activities. They taking into account the characteristics of the natural resources of the areas or the possibilities for carrying out scientific activities. Each component had been established through a series of Observer® indicators for permitting the auditor to make an objective evaluation.

The Observer® Evaluation Committee consist of independent experts specialized in different scientific areas, responsible for conducting a relevant assessment and for issuing the quality stamp. Observer® Certification System provides quality standards for the products and services based on scientific tourism and a set of recommendations that will be given to destination operators for increasing the number of the dissemination knowledge activities related to science, having the following objectives: • promoting a touristic culture where scientific outreach activities represent the key element for entertainment the natural and cultural heritage of an area, and • contributing to the growth and continuous improvement of scientific tourism products and services and scientific knowledge dissemination in the Observer® certified areas.

The indicators have been defined according to the natural resources of each territory, location or area, as well as other factors that significantly influence the promotion of a model of scientific tourism.

OBSERVER. SCIENTIFIC TOURISM. Edificio FEUGA, Campus Sur S/N 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, SPAIN. phone: +34 881979630/ +34 677347259. www.observersciencetourism.com and ww.fazconsultora.com

OBSERVER® Benefits

The Observer® Certification System offers the opportunity to actively participate in building a model of tourism development based on respect for natural values, providing high quality tourism products in which science and nature come together. Being part of the Observer® system means: • Make the difference, guarantee the quality of the scientific tourism products and services; • Contribute to the conservation and enhancement of the natural cultural resources of the regions, by promoting an attitude of care towards nature and natural values; • Be part of a sustainable, innovative and quality tourism model based on science and generating economic opportunities for the development of the local tourism industry; • Expand and improve the quality of the touristic offer by offering more specialized products and services accredited by experts; • Benefit from the relationship between the public and private tourism sector by encouraging innovative sectoral challenges tailored to an increasingly demanding audience; • Benefit from a closer relationship with surrounding universities, improving transfer networks knowledge and scientific knowledge dissemination; • Facilitate new spaces for the exchange of scientific experiences that increase territorial dynamization and knowledge of the region; • Encourage decontextualization of the science concept, taking into account the innovations that it implies for improve the opportunities in this sector.

OBSERVER. SCIENTIFIC TOURISM. Edificio FEUGA, Campus Sur S/N 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, SPAIN. phone: +34 881979630/ +34 677347259. www.observersciencetourism.com and ww.fazconsultora.com