5.7.4. Sustainable Tourism Quality This program aims to carry out actions that improve the quality of the tourism services provision and the implementation of national sectoral technical standards, quality certifications, and the destination sustainability and its actors. It includes programs for the Accompaniment and advice in implementing the NTS for tourism service providers that require it, actions to achieve the certification of the destination, or a specific area of it, as sustainable. To achieve these certifications, aspects such as environmental conservation criteria, adequate management of water resources, mitigation of harmful environmental impacts generated by dumping, pollution by solid waste, and the use of marine-coastal ecosystems, among others, must be worked on. Alliances and agreements must be reached with national and international entities to finance actions and/or support in their execution. In this specific case, certifications are proposed for the beaches of Taganga, Bahía de Santa Marta, Rodadero, and Costa Brava in the Sectoral Technical Standard NTS-TS-001-2. The Beaches certification, the Piscinita, the Swimming Pool, Playa del Muerto (Cristal), Playa Grande, and Playa Blanca in the international standard Blue Flag. Minca's certification in the Sectoral Technical Standard NTS-TS-001-1. The certification of Santa Marta as a Sustainable Tourism Destination according to standards of the brand "Biosphere Responsible Tourism" recognizes the competitiveness of the tourism sector in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, the World Charter for Sustainable Tourism +20, and the guidelines of the Paris Climate Summit. It is also proposed to promote the certification of tourism services providers in quality through the Tourism Quality Seal of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism MinCit and their accreditation in strategies for the prevention of commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents - ESCNNA through courses and training given by entities and agencies accredited for certification in the matter. Other actions aimed at promoting and improving the quality of the destination are the creation of the Santa Marta District Tourist Operation Card, as a tool for quality assurance in the offer of services and as a means of verifying the service providers suitability; the creation of the inspectors body of quality and tourism sustainability as a support team for the verification and monitoring of compliance with the Sectoral Technical Standards in the tourist establishments of the District; the creation of the incentive and recognition plan, as a stimulus for the strengthening of quality, sustainability, and excellence in the tourism services provision. It also provides for the creation of the order of tourist merit, the medal for quality and good service, as well as recognitions in environmental excellence and tourism sustainability; and the creation and formalization of the Certification and Standardization Committee as a technical advisory body for the implementation of certifications and standards for the assurance of tourism quality in destinations, attractions, and tourist establishments. The committee will also evaluate the delivery of recognitions, medals and incentives to companies and individuals that excel in the tourism services provision. Table 28. Program No. 22. Sustainable Tourism Quality. Actions
Indicator
Unit of measure
Baseline (2021)
Goal to 2030
Deadline for action
Certify (4) beaches in the sectoral technical standard NTS-TS-001-2 to ensure the sustainable use of water resources and the mitigation of environmental impacts generated by tourism activities
Beaches certified in NTS-TS001-2
number
0
4
Medium Term (2-6 years)
Tourism planning model for the District of Santa Marta Colombia Master in Sustainable Tourism & Regional Tourism Planning Peñuela, A. & Usma, S. (2021)
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