Sustainability certifications for companies in the tourism and events sector - 2nd edition

The Chamber of Commerce of Milan Monza Brianza Lodi promotes and implements the call for Sustainability Certifications for businesses in the tourism and events sector - 2nd edition.

Eligible subjects

MSMEs and large businesses with operational headquarters registered and active in the Business Register in the territorial district of the Chamber of Commerce of Milan Monza Brianza Lodi.

At the time of submitting the application, companies must carry out one of the following activities, which can be found in the Chamber of Commerce certificate:

1. Accommodation facilities: carry out activities with Ateco code 55.00 “Accommodation” with the
   following exclusions and inclusions:
   1. excluding activities 55.20.5 with the exception of accommodation activities connected to agricultural companies (Ateco code 55.20.52) and accommodation activities connected to fishing companies (Ateco code 55.20.23):
      1. excluding activities with Ateco code 55.30: Camping areas and areas equipped for campers and caravans;
      2. excluding activities with Ateco code 55.90: Other accommodation (sleeping cars and student houses).
2. Event agencies: carry out event organization activities which can be documented alternatively as follows:
   1. Ateco code 82.30 “Organization of conferences and fairs”;
   2. organization of events, conferences and fairs within the corporate purpose of the company, declared to the Business Register as an activity actually carried out and therefore present in the Chamber of Commerce registration
3. Venues, with exclusive reference to conference centers and conference and exhibition center locations:
   1. requirements referred to in point 2;
   2. in the case of hotel conference centres, it is alternatively sufficient to possess the requirement referred to in point 1.
4. Travel agencies and tour operators: carry out activities with Ateco code 79.1
5. Catering with administration: carry out activities with Ateco code 56.10.1
6. Catering and Banqueting: carry out activities with Ateco code 56.21.00
7. Set-up of trade fair and event spaces: carry out set-up activities for trade fairs and events, which can be documented alternatively as follows:
   1. Ateco code 77.39.94 “Rental of structures and equipment for events and shows: unmanned lighting and audio systems, stages, stands and light decorations”;
   2. indication of the activity in the corporate purpose of the company and among the activities carried out in the local unit subject to the intervention.
8. amusement, theme and aquatic parks: carry out activities with Ateco code 93.21.01 "Management of amusement, theme and aquatic parks, which generally include shows, exhibitions and services".

Eligible expenses

Expenses for obtaining, maintaining and renewing third-party sustainability certifications are eligible. In particular:

• The following schemes are based on standards published by standards bodies or private schemes
  accredited:
  • ISO 14001 – Environmental management system
  • ISO 20121 – Management system for the sustainable organization of events
  • ISO 21401 – Management system for sustainability in hospitality facilities
  • EU Ecolabel for Tourist Accommodation
  • EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
  • GSTC for Hotels ○ GSTC for Tour Operators are also facilitated:
  • Sustainable ESG DCA,
  • Sustainable DCA-L,
  • EASI® Model “Integrated Sustainable Business Ecosystem”.
• The other sustainability certifications listed in the GDS "Certifications for Sustainability" Guide in the "Third-party certification" section (link updated starting March 25).
• Further sustainability certifications applicable to the world of tourism and events meeting the following minimum requirements:
  
  • concern at least the environmental impacts of management and operation activities
  • the certifiers are accredited according to the ISO 17065 standard or according to the ISEALn Assurance Code of Good Practice. In this case, prior to the submission of the request for contribution by the companies, it is necessary to send a request which will be subjected to technical evaluation.
• The following are considered permitted, without the need for prior verification: E-Label for "Accommodation services with or without the additional catering service"
  • Ecoworld Hotel (with at least 2 eco leaves).

Facilitation

Applications for contributions relating to obtaining certification must include a minimum investment of €2,000.00. The benefit consists in the granting of a non-repayable contribution up to a maximum limit of €20,000.00. For the first application presented by MSMEs, the intensity of the contribution is up to 70% of the expenditure deemed eligible. Starting from the second application submitted by MSMEs and large businesses, the intensity of the contribution is up to 50% of the expenditure deemed eligible. Applications for contributions relating to the maintenance and renewal of certification must include a minimum investment of €800.00. The benefit consists in the granting of a non-repayable contribution up to a maximum limit of €3,000.00.

Presentation

From 11.00 am on 13 March 2024 until 5.00 pm on 16 October 2025, unless early closure due to exhaustion of available resources.