Sustainable Tourism

Sustainability must be on the agenda of all tourism operators. Scotland offers breath-taking and unspoiled scenery and landscape, which are our number one tourism "hook".   We should surely be fully committed to the responsible use of this natural and cultural heritage. Sustainability presents many challenges but it also offers opportunities to develop and implement practical and innovative tools which will ensure we achieve the objective of being "Europe's most sustainable tourism destination."

TIG’s Sustainable Tourism Team is working to:

·      Extend and build on Scotland’s competitive edge as a sustainable tourism destination, thus creating tourism growth. 

·      Highlight sustainability as a critical industry responsibility that can also provide long term benefits for the national and local economies.

.      Reduce seasonality in tourism.

·      Encourage all tourism businesses to create and adopt more sustainable practices in their policies and operations.

.     Stimulate membership of the Green Tourism Business Scheme and Going Green.  

·      Promote examples of innovation and best practice in sustainable tourism.

·      Collaborate with industry and government bodies to incorporate sustainability into mainstream tourism and environmental policies.

.      Encourage the development of Scotland's world class eco-tourism operators.

.      Raise visitor awareness of climate change issues and the actions being taken by the tourism industry and government agencies to address them.

Team achievements to date include: 

The First Five Steps

TIG is encouraging tourism businesses to operate in a more sustainable way and to understand the economic, socio-cultural and physical benefits of preserving the magnificent landscape, abundant wildlife and rich diverse culture of the number one eco-destination in the UK. For more information on good environmental practice read the 1- How to become a sustainable tourism business. These 5 easy steps give you even more of a marketing advantage and at the same time, save you money.

 

Responsible Visitor Guide

The Responsible Visitor Guide, produced by TiG and Scottish natural Heritage, helps visitors enjoy a better holiday experience while also playing their part in conserving our natural environment, wildlife and cultural heritage.  

 

 The Sustainable Tourism team champion is Paul Easto of Wilderness Scotland, holder of the highly prized World Travel Awards' 2007/08 "Best Green Tour Operator" .

 

Links

      Green Tourism Business Scheme.  The leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK.Energy Saving Trust Scotland.

·      Hospitable Climates (HC) was an energy efficiency agreement between the Institute of Hospitality and the Government. This resulted in an energy advisory programme, supported by the Carbon Trust and managed by the Institute of Hospitality on behalf of the Hospitable Climates network. Unfortunately the HC programme is no longer operating as the funding has concluded, but the outcomes of the project, the hospitality energy analysis tool HEAT Online and the Energy Efficiency map showing energy efficient hotels and guesthouses can be accessed via the Hospitable Climates legacy site: www.hospitableclimates.co.uk.

.      Further information on environmental and energy efficiency issues for hospitality businesses can be accessed via the new Business Climate pages on the Institute of Hospitality website: http://www.instituteofhospitality.org/info_services/business_climate. 
Hospitable Climates.   Free advice service for tourism and hospitality businesses of all sizes interested in reducing energy consumption.

.      The Carbon Trust works  to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies

·      Envirowise for businesses/local authorities - free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to minimise waste, reduce environmental impact and increase profits.

·      The Business Environment Partnership provides free and subsidised assistance with environmental management for small to medium sized businesses throughout Scotland.

·      Scottish Business in the Community – May Day Network Companies committed to taking action on climate change, providing a hub for businesses to share experience and to engage suppliers, customers and peers. 

· Green tourism web site/ VisitScotland Sustainable Tourism Unit provides information to tourism businesses on all aspects of sustainable tourism development.