ISO 13009:2015 - MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES MANAGING BEACHES AND STATE-OWNED AREAS
With certification in accordance with ISO 13009, the first international standard for beach management, beach facility operators are supported in adopting practices and methods aimed at improving the quality of services offered to their customers, as well as ensuring sustainable and efficient management of the facility.
Certification in accordance with ISO 13009 is a useful tool for hotel operators, real estate developers, and local authorities to better manage their beaches. Furthermore, ISO 13009 is also a valuable marketing tool to attract public funding, as well as investors and potential customers, who can easily contribute to the commercial growth of the entire area.
With the publication of the international standard ISO 13009, it is easier to preserve the beauty of our beaches. Beaches, in fact, are not only tourist attractions but also an important part of our ecosystem. It is therefore essential to ensure their cleanliness, safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.
The new international standard ISO 13009 “Tourism and related services - Requirements and recommendations for beach operation” provides guidelines for operators worldwide so they can make effective decisions regarding beach management. The value of ISO 13009 is not only to help beach operators improve tourists’ experiences, but also to enhance the social and economic fabric and local communities as a whole.
Specifically, the purpose of ISO 13009 is to help beach operators make more informed decisions regarding the management of the beaches under their responsibility, using a consistent approach based on best practices.
In addition to the overall organization of the beach, the standard includes other important aspects such as providing safety instructions and information, signage, access and zoning, supervision and rescue services, water quality, and beach facility infrastructure.
Several benefits can be achieved through the application of ISO 13009, both for beach operators and for local communities where tourism represents one of the main economic activities:
User satisfaction through service levels consistent with expectations and needs
Trust from local authorities and communities
Contribution to the economic and social development of coastal areas as a whole
Protection of the environment, health, and safety
Contribution to sustainable development
Continuous improvement of performance
Each beach is unique and has its own characteristics; therefore, in order to determine how to implement the standard, a robust risk management process is expected to be used to identify risks and hazards present at each beach and to determine control measures to reduce their likelihood or impact.