TOURISM BUSINESSES
ENCOURAGED TO GO GREEN
More Scottish tourism businesses than ever before are being encouraged to them a marketing advantage to attract visitors who want to have minimal
go green through a new initiative encouraging sustainability. environmental impact on their holiday in Scotland.
‘Going Green’ has been developed by national tourism organisation Those who successfully meet the required standard and go on to achieve
VisitScotland to help tourism businesses take steps to become more GTBS status are awarded either a Bronze, Silver or Gold award based on
sustainable, giving them advice which will help them go on to become their level of achievement, which can then be promoted to visitors as an
members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). assurance of a businesses green credentials.
As a way of encouraging businesses to progressively become VisitScotland’s Chief Executive, Philip Riddle, said: “We are
‘greener’, those who sign up to the new free initiative agree to committed to working with the industry to make Scotland one of
aim for a GTBS award within two years or sooner if possible. the most sustainable tourism destinations in Europe. We know
that consumers are becoming more environmentally aware
The Going Green website,
www.greentourism.org. and we are keen to do everything we can to help more
uk/going-green, gives tourism businesses a checklist businesses become eligible to join GTBS.”
of activities they can introduce to become more
sustainable. Businesses should be able to select some The Scottish tourism industry shares an ambition to
to introduce now and others in the coming year from grow revenues from tourism by 50 per cent by 2015,
a variety of areas including energy, waste, water, and it is crucial that this is achieved in a sustainable
purchasing and transport. The activities are based on way.
those necessary for GTBS membership.
The National Trust for Scotland has a number of
Once they have signed up to Going Green, businesses properties that have reached GTBS standards. Culloden
will receive regular emails with encouragement to stay Battlefied Visitor Centre is a Gold GTBS business. Marian
on the green path including case studies about other Porteous, Retail Manager, at the Visitor Centre said: ‘’The
businesses who are working to reduce their environmental team at Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre worked hard
impact. to achieve a Gold award with the GTBS. Not only was it a
learning experience for the team but the award also shows
The Green Tourism Business Scheme was set up over 10 visitors that we are committed to making the National Trust for
years ago and is he most successful scheme of its kind in Europe. Scotland’s properties more sustainable. As a leading conservation
The scheme has more than 800 members across Scotland from B&Bs to charity, we are keen to make the management of our properties more
international hotel chains and tourist attractions. GTBS businesses undertake environmentally friendly, while enhancing the visitor experience. Visitors
various measures to work more efficiently and importantly are assessed have been very positive about our efforts in this area so far and we see an
to verify how much is being achieved. By doing this they help protect our added benefit in visitors returning to Culloden for future visits.”
biggest asset in Scotland – our unique and dramatic landscape.
Going Green has been developed with European Regional Development
Membership of GTBS also gives businesses an opportunity to save Fund (ERDF) support from the Highlands & Islands, Lowland and Uplands
money through more efficient use of their resources, as well as giving Scotland European Programmes.
www.greentourism.org.uk/going-green
Contact Going Green
Going Green team, VisitScotland, Quality and Standards, Cowan House, Inverness Retail and Business Park, Inverness, IV2 7GF
Tel: 01463 244128 –
going.green@visitscotland.com
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