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Sustainable tourism practices

Scotland is the UK's number one eco-tourism destination and ranks seventh in the world. TiG seeks to extend and build on this competitive edge, which provides both product and service development opportunities.

The TiG Sustainability Team looks at the promotion of sustainable tourism practices throughout Scotland. We seek to work with other organisations to address some of the following issues:

• The creation of an industry-led Carbon offset scheme for Scottish Tourism - Climate Change Scotland. Launched in November 2007, TiG spent 18 months developing a robust scheme that aims to reduce businesses direct and indirect emissions, and then “offset” those that are unavoidable. TiG, working with Dick Sisman associates (who are operating the scheme), will offer a range of environmentally beneficial offset projects that are in Scotland and (where possible) visitors can touch and feel.

For more information click here to read the finer detail.

Or go to www.climatechangescotland.com

• out-of-season opening - click here to read our case-study.

• adoption of eco-friendly business practices

• promotion of examples of best practice

• encourage product and service development

• promotion of the importance of tourism in the local economy

• the importance of not only economic feasibility, but also taking account of the community and ecological bottom line of an organisation.

In order to help dispel the myth that there is little to do for tourists in Scotland during the winter, the Team has suggested the development of an interactive, national ‘What’s On’ guide making it easy for visitors to discover events and attractions in both city centres and rural areas. Current information would be available on hitherto under-publicised activities that were taking year round such as informal music in pubs and clubs; visitor, cultural and heritage attractions; tours and sightseeing; festivals and events including sports; theatres and live music venues and outdoor/indoor activities.

Visitors could search for a range of product options within the area that they are planning to visit.

This scheme will not only provide an effective marketing channel for those organisations that are open out-of-season (or for part of the low season), but will also encourage more operators to extend their capacity. Originally identified as a low season marketing initiative, the project is also relevant throughout the year.

TiG is also determined to encourage tourism businesses to operate in a more sustainable way. Sustainability can give you a marketing advantage and save you money - which can't be bad! In addition to mainstream good environmental practice, read our 5-Easy Steps to becoming more sustainable. Read more.