Trade > Going Green > Green Tourism Business Scheme

Green Tourism Business Scheme

The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is a marketing and advisory tool for tourism businesses supporting the local area and environment.

Accommodation, attractions, restaurant/cafes, TICs and other types of tourism businesses can take part.

Follow this link to the official green tourism site.

Brief Outline

The scheme was launched in 1997 through the Scottish tourism board, to encourage tourism businesses to take an active part in preserving the country's natural assets, on which tourism so depends.

Following a successful pilot in South Hams in Devon, the scheme was rolled out across the South West in December 2005 and now has over 400 members. In the last year it has started operating across England as well as Scotland and has over 1800 members.

The award is designed to be a practical tool for tourism businesses to undertake simple steps towards improved environmental performance, improving the management of resources (water, energy, food) and increasing their marketing potential for a market place with an ever growing environmental conscience.The main aims of the scheme are:

* Baseline business against industry benchmarks for comparison and estimate further economic and environmental savings

* Provide active businesses with a marketing advantage using a recognized eco label

Scheme Criteria

The scheme is based around some 120 general environmental criteria or measures, divided into 10 main sections:

1. Compulsory

• Environmental commitment/champion (coordinator)
• Achieve minimum environmental standards
• Benchmarking (record keeping) - annual records of utility costs and waste

2. Management & marketing

• Management involvement and staff training/awareness
• Environmental audit
• Monitoring (utilities, waste and guest feedback)

3. Communications

• Environmental policy
• How business promotes itself internally and externally
• How business promotes its environmental actions
• Towel agreements, other info

4. Energy

• Appliances
• Lighting
• Space heating
• Hot water (inc solar) and draught sealing

5. Water

• Reduction in water use (internal and external)
• Avoidance of pollution to surface water/ground water

6. Purchasing

• Includes products and services
• Local produce
• recycled reused products
• cleaning products
• green energy

7. Waste minimisation (& recycling)
Section covers materials: glass, paper, cardboard, cardboard, ferrous metals, aluminium, plastics, haz waste (solvents, batteries, oils

• Procurement choices (bulk buying)
• Reuse of materials
• Returns to regular suppliers
• White goods disposal
• Washing/soap products

8. Transport

• Promoting public transport and alternative forms of travel to private car
• staff car sharing and use of alternatively fuelled vehicles

9. Nature, Health & Landscape

• positive enhancement of wildlife on grounds/gardens and information available to visitors
• supports wildlife club/society
• information available on local nature reserves

10. Bonus

• Any additional measures that are not included in the main criteria that help to reduce the environmental impact of the business. The measures may be cutting edge technology or relating to more social and ethical criteria that are not currently included.

Assessment for the scheme is geared to be mutually beneficial, providing positive feedback during and after the audit, therefore encouraging further action and environmental improvements.

To receive your introduction pack and application form please contact Green Business.