After creating the responsible location which respects all the environmental regulations, the next step is to create a mix of safe and responsible touristic products.

In order to ensure a good understanding of this chapter it is important to define very well the basic terms such as: “touristic products”, “safe touristic products” and “responsible touristic products”.

A good example for safe and responsible tourism products can be an eco-hotel that obtained a “green” certificate from specialized institutions for meeting the most important criteria:

• contributing to environmental conservation or
• training its employees in the field
• taking into account the cultural specificity of the area
• generating benefits in the local community
• conserving energy resources by using them efficiently
• using “clean” energy sources, such as solar and wind power to reduce pollution and minimize negative environmental and social impacts.

Examples of “green” activities in a small eco-hotel are:

• using non-toxic cleaning and washing detergents;
• using materials made 100% of organic cotton (sheets, towels);
• applying non-smoking policy;
• using methods of capturing renewable energy (wind, solar);
• offering customers the service of calling the staff whenever they need to change towels or bedding to reduce water consumption;
• using economic lighting;
• doing selective garbage collection;
• offering bio or organic food;
• recycling water so that it can be reused in watering the garden.

Another important factor for creating a safe and responsible product is to closely communicate and interact with the community (local authorities, associations, schools, high schools) showing from the beginning that the new product “small hotel/small restaurant” is created not only like a business, but also thinking of the development of the community and of the promotion and development of the local culture (see unit 5).

Some good examples and ideas, which involve the community and also can help it, are:

• to buy some traditional objects for decorating the location from the local handcraft community and also promote these objects by posting them on the website of the location; or, if the location has a bigger reception, a special corner can be created with the objects and sell them like souvenirs;
• to organize “One day trips” for guests with the help of the children from the community, involving them especially during the summer vacation;
• to organize “Traditional nights” with local music and food (if the community has an orchestra / band / traditional dancers should be invited as part of the night to show the guests all these elements). This is a very good way for them of earning some money and also to understand that their traditions and culture are respected and important for the owners and also for the guests, being also a very good way of promoting the community;

Conclusion: Depending on the area, there are many possibilities to create specific safe and responsible products that can help the entire community.