PROTOCOL
on the implementation of the Alpine Convention of 1991 in the field of tourism
Tourism Protocol
Preamble
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,
THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA,THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,
THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,
THE PRINCIPALITY OF LIECHTENSTEIN,
THE PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO,
THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA,
THE SWISS CONFEDERATION,
and
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY,
IN ACCORDANCE with their task, arising from the Convention on the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention) of 7
November 1991, of pursuing a comprehensive policy for the protection and the sustainable development of the Alpine
region;
IN COMPLIANCE with their obligations under Article 2(2) and (3) of the Alpine Convention;
DESIRING to harmonise economic interests and ecological requirements, and establish sustainable development;
AWARE that the Alps are the living and economic environment for the local population;
CONVINCED that the local population must be able to develop their own social, cultural and economic development
plan, and take part in its implementation in the existing institutional framework;
CONSIDERING that in our urban civilisation, there is an ever-growing need for varied tourism and leisure activities that
are appropriate to today ’s way of life;
CONSIDERING that the Alps remain one of the most important areas for tourism and leisure in Europe due to the
extensive range of leisure activities on offer, the rich variety of landscapes and the diversity of its ecosystems, and that
protection of the Alpine region should go beyond national frameworks;
CONSIDERING that for certain Contracting Parties, a significant proportion of their population live in the Alps, and that
tourism in the Alpine region is of public interest given that it helps to maintain a permanent population;EN 22.12.2005 Official Journal of the European Union L 337/43
CONSIDERING that mountain tourism is facing competition in an increasingly globalised context and contributes
significantly to the economic performance of the Alpine region;
CONSIDERING that recent trends seem to be moving towards greater harmony between tourism and the environment;
for customers, an increasing interest in attractive natural surroundings that are protected summer and winter alike, andfor local decision makers, concern for making tourist destinations more environmentally-friendly;
CONSIDERING that in the Alpine region, individual attention must be given to limitations to the ability of each location ’s
ecosystem to adapt, and each ecosystem must be appreciated for its specific features;
CONSIDERING that natural and cultural heritage as well as the countryside constitute an essential part of tourism in the
Alps;
AWARE that the Alpine States are characterised by natural, cultural, economic and institutional differences which have
caused them to develop independently, giving rise to very varied tourist facilities which, far from becoming more
standardised at international level should be a source of diverse but complementary tourist activities;
AWARE of the need for sustainable development in the tourist industry to be based on developing natural heritage and
providing high-quality services, given that the majority of Alpine regions are dependent on tourism which also provides alivelihood for the local population;
AWARE that it is appropriate to encourage holidaymakers to respect nature, to give them a greater understanding of the
people living and working in tourist destinations and to create the best conditions possible for them to truly discover thediversity of nature in the Alpine region;
AWARE that it is the responsibility of professional tourist organisations and regional and local authorities to put into
place, within a defined framework for the Alpine region, means of improving production structures and their efficiency;
DESIRING to contribute to sustainable development in the Alps by encouraging environmentally-friendly tourism, which
is also an essential basis for the standard of living and economy of the local people;
CONVINCED that certain problems can only be resolved in a cross-border framework and require joint measures on the
part of the Alpine States,
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1
Objective
The objective of this Protocol is to contribute to sustainable
development in the Alpine region within the existing institu-tional framework, by encouraging environmentally-friendlytourism through specific measures and recommendationswhich take the interests of both the local population andtourists into account.
Article 2
International cooperation
1. The Contracting Parties undertake to eliminate barriers to
international cooperation between regional and local authoritiesin the Alpine region, and to promote collaboration at the
appropriate territorial level in order to solve common problems.
2. The Contracting Parties shall encourage stronger interna-
tional cooperation between the relevant competent bodies. Theyshall ensure, in particular, the development of cross-border areasby coordinating environmentally-friendly tourist and leisureactivities.
3. When local and regional authorities are unable to
implement measures because they are a matter of national orinternational competence, they must be given the opportunityto effectively represent the interests of the population.EN L 337/44 Official Journal of the European Union 22.12.2005
Article 3
Taking account of the objectives in other policies
The Contracting Parties undertake to take account of the
objectives of this Protocol in their other policies as well, inparticular in the fields of regional planning, transport, agri-culture, forestry, protection of the environment and nature,and water and energy supplies, with a view to reducing anynegative or contradictory effects.
Article 4
Participation of regional and local authorities
1. Each Contracting Party shall define, within its institutional
framework, the best level of coordination and cooperationbetween the institutions and regional authorities directly
concerned so as to encourage solidarity of responsibility, in
particular to exploit and develop synergies when applyingtourism policies and implementing measures under them.
2. The regional and local authorities directly concerned shall
be parties to the various stages of preparing and implementingthese policies and measures, within the framework of theircompetence, within the existing institutional framework.
CHAPTER II
SPECIFIC MEASURES
Article 5
Managing tourism
1. The Contracting Parties undertake to combine sustainable
development with environmentally-friendly tourism. To thisend, they shall support the preparation and implementationof guidelines, development programmes and sectoral planswhich take the objectives of this Protocol into account andwhich are initiated by the competent bodies at the most appro-priate level.
2. These measures will allow the advantages and disad-
vantages of planned developments to be evaluated andcompared, in particular in terms of:
(a) the socioeconomic consequences for the local population;(b) the consequences for soil, water, the air, natural balances
and the countryside, taking into account specific ecologicaldata, natural resources and limitations to the ability ofecosystems to adapt;
(c) the consequences for public finances.
Article 6
Guidelines for developing tourism
1. The Contracting Parties shall, when developing tourism,
take account of issues such as the conservation of nature and
the countryside. They undertake to promote, as far as possible,
projects which enhance the countryside and are environmentallyacceptable.
2. They shall adopt a sustainable policy to make environ-
mentally-friendly tourism in the Alps more competitive, andby doing so shall make an important contribution to the socio-economic development of the Alpine region. Priority shall begiven to measures promoting innovation and diversity intourism.
3. The Contracting Parties shall ensure that in areas attracting
high numbers of tourists, a balance is struck between intensiveand extensive forms of tourism.
4. When incentives are established, the following
requirements should be met:
(a) for intensive tourism, the adaptation of existing tourist
facilities and equipment to meet ecological requirements,and the development of new facilities conforming to the
objectives of this Protocol;
(b) for extensive tourism, the continuation or development of
environmentally-friendly tourism, and the promotion of thenatural and cultural heritage of tourist areas.
Article 7
Research on quality
1. The Contracting Parties shall adopt a policy of permanent
and systematic research on the quality of tourism across thewhole of the Alpine region, taking ecological requirements intoaccount.EN 22.12.2005 Official Journal of the European Union L 337/45
2. They shall encourage the exchange of experiences and the
implementation of joint action plans, pursuing qualitativeimprovements particularly in:
(a) the development of amenities in the countryside and natural
areas;
(b) urban development and architecture (new buildings and
village restoration);
(c) accommodation and range of tourist services;(d) diversity in tourism for the Alpine region, promoting
cultural activities in the various areas concerned.
Article 8
Controlling tourists flows
The Contracting Parties shall encourage the control of tourist
flows, particularly in protected areas, organising a way to evenlydisperse and accommodate tourists in order to guarantee thesustainability of these areas.
Article 9
Natural limitations to development
The Contracting Parties shall ensure that tourism development
is adapted to the specific environment and available resources ofthe area or region concerned. It is appropriate to establish priorassessment for projects likely to have a marked impact on theenvironment, within the existing institutional framework, whichwill be taken into account when decisions are made.
Article 10
Quiet areas
The Contracting Parties undertake, in accordance with their laws
and ecological criteria, to establish designated quiet areas whereno tourist facilities will be developed.
Article 11
Accommodation policy
The Contracting Parties shall develop accommodation policies,
taking account of how little space is available and givingpriority to commercial accommodation, restoring and usingexisting buildings, and modernising and improving the quality
of existing accommodation.
Article 12
Ski lifts
1. The Contracting Parties undertake, within the framework
of national authorisation procedures for ski lifts, to implement apolicy that goes beyond economic and safety needs, respondingto ecological requirements and the countryside.
2. Both new authorisations to operate ski lifts and
concessions will be subject to disused ski lifts being dismantled
and removed, and areas no longer in use being returned to
nature, giving priority to plant species native to the area.
Article 13
Tourist traffic and transport
1. The Contracting Parties shall encourage measures to
reduce dependence on motorised vehicles in tourist resorts.
2. Furthermore, they shall promote both private and public
initiatives to improve access by public transport to resorts andtourist areas, and shall encourage tourists to use these services.
Article 14
Specific development techniques
1. Ski slopes
1. The Contracting Parties shall ensure that the development,
maintenance and use of ski slopes blend into the naturalsurroundings as much as possible, taking account of naturalbalances and biotope sensitivity.
2. Developments affecting the landscape shall be avoided as
much as possible and, when natural conditions allow, developedareas should be replanted, giving priority to plant species nativeto the area.
2. Artificial snow machines
National legislation may authorise the use of artificial snow
during cold seasons specific to each location, particularly tomake exposed areas safer and if the location ’s hydrological,
climatic and ecological conditions allow.EN L 337/46 Official Journal of the European Union 22.12.2005
Article 15
Sporting activities
1. The Contracting Parties undertake to define a policy for
controlling outdoor sporting activities, especially in protectedareas, in order to avoid causing damage to the environment.This control may mean prohibiting a particular activity, ifnecessary.
2. The Contracting Parties undertake to limit as much as
possible, and if necessary prohibit, sporting activities usingmotorised vehicles outside areas designated by competentbodies.
Article 16
Landing by air
The Contracting Parties undertake to limit as much as possible,
and if necessary prohibit, landing by air outside of airfields forthe purpose of sporting activities.
Article 17
Developing economically weak regions and local and
regional authorities
It is recommended that the Contracting Parties examine
solutions adapted to the appropriate territorial level topromote the balanced development of economically weakregions and local and regional authorities.
Article 18
Staggering holidays
1. The Contracting Parties shall endeavour to spread out the
demand for tourist resorts more effectively, in terms of time
and location.
2. To this end, it is appropriate to support cooperation
between States on staggering holidays and experimenting withextending holiday seasons.
Article 19
Encouraging innovation
It is recommended that the Contracting Parties develop
incentives to encourage the implementation of the objectivesof this Protocol. To this end they will examine, in particular,
the implementation of an Alpine competition with a view torewarding innovative tourist initiatives and products whichrespect the objectives of this Protocol.
Article 20
Cooperation between tourism, agriculture, forestry and
handicrafts
The Contracting Parties shall support cooperation between
tourism, agriculture, forestry and handicrafts. They shall parti-cularly encourage combinations of activities which generateemployment in the context of sustainable development.
Article 21
Further measures
The Contracting Parties may take further measures to promote
sustainable tourism than the measures provided for in thisProtocol.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH, TRAINING AND INFORMATION
Article 22
Research and observation
1. The Contracting Parties shall encourage and harmonise, in
close cooperation, research and systematic observation relevant
to improving understanding of the relationship between tourismand the environment in the Alps, and analysing future devel-opments.
2. The Contracting Parties shall ensure that the national
results of the research and systematic observation are includedin a common permanent observation and information systemand that they are made accessible to the public under theexisting institutional framework.
3. The Contracting Parties undertake to share information
about their own experiences relevant to implementing themeasures and recommendations in this Protocol and togathering valuable information in terms of qualitative tourismdevelopment.EN 22.12.2005 Official Journal of the European Union L 337/47
Article 23
Training and information
1. The Contracting Parties shall encourage basic and further
training and the provision of information to the public aboutthe objectives, measures and implementation of this Protocol.
2. It is recommended that the Contracting Parties include
knowledge of nature and the environment in vocationaltraining for jobs directly involving or linked to tourism. Newtypes of training bringing tourism and the environmenttogether could then be introduced. For example:
—‘nature activity leaders ’,
—‘resort quality assurance officers ’,
—‘tourism assistants for the disabled ’.
CHAPTER IV
IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Article 24
Implementation
The Contracting Parties undertake to ensure the implementation
of this Protocol by taking any appropriate measures within theexisting institutional framework.
Article 25
Monitoring compliance with obligations
1. The Contracting Parties shall regularly report to the
Standing Committee on measures taken under this Protocol.The reports shall also cover the effectiveness of the measurestaken. The Alpine Conference shall determine the intervals atwhich the reports must be submitted.
2. The Standing Committee shall examine these reports in
order to ensure that the Contracting Parties have fulfilled theirobligations under this Protocol. It may also ask for additionalinformation from the Contracting Parties concerned or have
recourse to other information sources.
3. The Standing Committee shall draw up a report on the
compliance of the Contracting Parties with the obligationsarising from the Protocol, for the attention of the AlpineConference.
4. The Alpine Conference shall take note of this report. If it
finds that obligations have not been met, it may adopt recom-mendations.
Article 26
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the provisions
1. The Contracting Parties shall regularly examine and
evaluate the effectiveness of the provisions of this Protocol.They shall consider the adoption of appropriate amendmentsto this Protocol where necessary in order to achieve objectives.
2. The regional and local authorities shall be associated with
this evaluation within the existing institutional framework. Non-governmental organisations active in this field may beconsulted.
CHAPTER V
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 27
Links between the Alpine Convention and the Protocol
1. This Protocol constitutes a Protocol to the Alpine
Convention within the meaning of Article 2 thereof and any
other relevant articles of the Convention.
2. Only Contracting Parties to the Alpine Convention may
become a party to this Protocol. Any denunciation of theAlpine Convention also implies denunciation of this Protocol.
3. Where the Alpine Conference discusses matters relating to
this Protocol, only the Contracting Parties to this Protocol maytake part in the vote.EN L 337/48 Official Journal of the European Union 22.12.2005
Article 28
Signature and ratification
1. This Protocol shall be open for signature by the signatory
States of the Alpine Convention and the European Communityon 16 October 1998 and in the Republic of Austria, as thedepositary, from 16 November 1998.
2. This Protocol shall enter into force for the Contracting
Parties which have expressed their agreement to be bound by
the said Protocol three months after the date on which three
States have deposited their instrument of ratification, acceptanceor approval.
3. For Parties which express their agreement to be bound by
the Protocol at a later date, the Protocol shall enter into forcethree months after the date of deposit of the instrument ofratification, acceptance or approval. After the entry into forceof an amendment to the Protocol, any new Contracting Party tothe said Protocol shall become a Contracting Party to theProtocol, as amended.
Article 29
Notification
The depositary shall, in respect of this Protocol, notify each
State referred to in the Preamble and the EuropeanCommunity of:(a) any signature;
(b) the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance or
approval;
(c) any date of entry into force;
(d) any declaration made by a Contracting Party or signatory;(e) any denunciation notified by a Contracting Party, including
the date on which it becomes effective.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorised
thereto, has signed this Protocol.
Done at Bled, on 16 October 1998 in German, French, Italian
and Slovene, the four texts being equally authentic, the originaltext being deposited in the Austrian State archives. Thedepositary shall send a certified copy to each of the signatoryStates.EN 22.12.2005 Official Journal of the European Union L 337/49