Businesses join the crusade to put environmental concerns on the travel map

25th February 2008

Businesses in Scotland are helping create a boom in environmental tourism as increasing numbers of companies and organisations seek to establish their green credentials.

More than 600 businesses seeking to achieve a bronze, silver or gold standard award for their commitment to sustainable tourism applied to join The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) in the last twelve months.

Scotland is among the areas of the UK leading the way with at least 209 applications seeking to join existing GTBS members.

"There is no scheme in the world better placed to highlight the importance of protecting environments, respecting local cultures, supporting local communities, conserving natural resources and minimising pollution," said Andrea Nicholas of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, which is already the largest organisation of its kind in the world with more than 1,500 members.

Britain already leads the way in many aspects of promoting sustainable tourism. The GTBS uses specially trained environmental auditors to scrutinise hotels and other tourism related companies every two years so that consumers can be confident that member businesses have the green credentials they claim.

"The Green Tourism Business Scheme has been going for over 10 years but within the last 24 months applications for the scheme have more than doubled," said Ms Nicholas.

"Our system was ahead of its time when it was introduced and has been helping tourism businesses meet visitor expectations by making them more environmentally efficient ever since."

The Green Tourism Business Scheme, which is operational in all regions of England and Scotland, ensures members have to meet rigorous minimal standards from over 150 measures of best practice before being awarded a bronze, silver or gold award. The measures include a range of actions from efficient lighting and heating, to nature conservation, renewable energy, use of local produce and community involvement.

"With the current increase in businesses wanting to get on to the green bandwagon the GTBS provides a trustworthy green choice in which consumers can be confident that the business has been checked and is making significant efforts to reduce their environmental impact," said Ms Nicholas.

Sustainable tourism is increasingly important to consumers in the UK. A recent survey carried out by VisitBritain found that 84 per cent of people said they would choose an attraction or accommodation provider that was part of a green accreditation scheme over one that was not - and 68 per cent said they would still do so even if the prices of the green accredited business was slightly higher.

For a full list of GTBS members in each of the UK regions or more information on
the scheme visit www.green-business.co.uk

New applicants to GTBS in the UK over 2007
Scotland ----- 209
England -------395
Wales ------------1