Sustainable Tourism Law

242 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM LAW It is interesting to note that the word “effect” is defined in Article 2 thereof to mean: “ an effect on the environment, and includes: ( a) direct effects on the environment, which are caused by a project or by any related intervention or action; (b) ndirect and secondary effects on the environment, caused by a project or by related interventions or actions, which may be later in time or further removed in distance, or which may arise indirectly as a result of: changes induced by the project or intervention; displacement of other uses; opportunity cost of the proposed use or commitment; or interaction of the project or intervention with natural or anthropogenic forces or with the surrounding environment; (c) cumulative effects on the environment; and (d) effects on human health and safety, socio-economic conditions, natural and cultural heritage, and quality of life, resulting from alterations to the environment.” From the above it may be concluded that irrespective whether a hotel is applying for Eco Certification or not, the regulations on building and construction are strictly regulated to maintain a sustainable environment. VI. PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS One of the criteria to be met in the hotel/accommodation industry is that persons which special needs are to be provided access to buildings. This is also governed by the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) 12 whereby persons with disability are to have access, promulgated under the Design Guidelines so that hotels would introduce measures to ease access for the disabled. When auditing hotels for health and safety purposes, although it may transpire that persons with disability do have access to all the areas of the hotel, yet the hotel management must also ensure that such persons have easy access in case of an emergency, such as fire exits in case of fire. It may happen that albeit access is available via a lift to the spa area, for example, which may be 12 Chapter 413 of the Laws of Malta.