areas, and the promotion of environmentally preferable means of transport. The first eco-labelled hotel in the European Union was the Sunwing Resort Kallithea, located in Rhodes, Greece in September 2003 and the first eco-labelled hotel on the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) was the Hotel Jardim Atlântico on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Ecolabeling of hotels in South America In Argentina, the Tourism Hotels Association (AHT) has created an annual award, Hoteles Más Verdes (Greener Hotel). The prize – a monetary award and peer-recognition – goes the best eco-hotels in the country, both operating and under construction. In 2014, the city of Buenos Aires has presented a new labeling system for hotels and hostels, Ecosello. With three levels of certification (Committed, Advanced, and Excellence), the new label aims at developing eco-consciousness among tourism operators in Buenos Aires. Ecolabeling of hotels globally In 2008, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria was launched at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. The Criteria, managed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, created a global standard for sustainable travel and tourism and includes criteria and performance indicators for destinations, tour operators and hotels. The GSTC provides accreditation through a third-party to Certification Bodies to legitimize claims of sustainability. Additional initiatives Eco hotels may also actively help in protecting its natural environment. For instance, the Misool Eco Resort was started as a funding vehicle for conservation work in the area. A private marine reserve (which has grown to a size of 300 000 acres) was set up, and included a no-take zone. A salaried 15-person team of local rangers (which work for the sister charity, Misool Foundation) patrol the area and have a base camp at Misool Eco Resort (alongside additional locations in the area). The Misool Foundation also has additional projects, including a collaborative program to end manta hunting in Lakamera (Savu Sea Alliance). For the livelihood of the eco resort itself, the conservation work is also of great importance, as it leverages pristine reefs as its central asset (the resort includes a dive center). The work has even increased this asset as an increase of 250% of biomass was observed over a 6-year period. Besides simply protecting the environment, eco hotels can also help the environment by coral growing initiatives (coral nursery). Iberostar Group's Wave of Change initiative focuses on exactly that. See also Ecotourism References External links Hotels Struggle to Find the Right Eco-Message,