Market Information

Green Tourism and Policy

Integrating the environment into tourism business management presents the Scottish tourism industry with a major opportunity to reduce costs, improve marketing, attract new customers and satisfy consumer demands.

The environment and tourism are inextricably linked. Recognition of this fact is increasing and many key players in Scottish tourism are now committed to developing a sustainable approach to tourism.

Policy Statements

"Bringing long-term business and environmental benefits to the Scottish tourism industry through encouraging sustainable use of our world-class natural and built heritage" ( Mission Statement 2000-2003 , Tourism and Environment Forum)

"The sustainable development of Scottish tourism is vital to its long-term success........ Sustainable business makes good business sense." (from by Mike Watson, Scottish Tourism Minister at Tourism Industry Conference 2002)

"The industry must exploit Scotland's strengths in a sustainable manner..... We must develop our understanding of how people perceive Scotland as a destination, including its natural and built environment, culture, its quality of service and value for money."

"Sustainable development is not an optional extra. Our social, economic and environmental ambitionsa re interlinked and we must work to deliver all three if we are going to deliver the quality of life we want for ourselves and for future generations." ( Buildling a Sustainable Scotland , Scottish Executive 2002)

"Sustainable development is not simply a rural agenda but an agenda for all the people of Scotland.... It means protecting and enhancing Scotland’s environment,.... delivering robust measures to deal with climate change, air quality, pollution in all its forms, the threats to biodiversity,.... [and] it means putting Scotland at the heart of the European and world movement for sustainable development." (Ross Finnie MSP delivering his first speech as Environment Minister at the 'Sustaining a Nation - Scotland + 10' conference in Glasgow, March 2001)

"More efficient use of natural resources can help progress towards sustainable development while increasing business competitiveness." ( A Smart, Successful Scotland , Ambitions for the Enterprise Networks 2000)

Strategic Vision: "To develop a dynamic, responsive and sustainable tourism industry providing superb value and a quality of service that matches the beauty of our scenery." (Tourism in the Highalnds Towards 2005)

"Key issue - Sustainable development of the environment as the region's key attraction". (HIE Annual Report)

"Scotland's image as a green destination formed the nucleus of our international marketing campaigns". (STB Annual Report)

"Only a managed approach can protect the basic resource". (SE Tourism Action Plan)

"Concern for the environment has reached an all time high and will continue throughout the rest of the decade...This will put pressure on the industry to demonstrate new and existing tourism developments are environmentally sensitive and sustainable". (Scottish Tourism Strategic Plan, 1994)

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