Archived Sustainable Tourism E-news

Sustainable Tourism E-News Issue 12 - April 2006

Welcome to the first issue of the Sustainable Tourism Newsletter, to find out more read the first story below.

Communication is the Key to Success

STU want to enhance communication between public agencies, organisations and tourism businesses to the benefit of Scotland's natural tourism advantage, the environment.

STU – working together to sustain Scotland's natural assets

 TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT FORUM BECOMES THE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM UNIT AND PARTNERSHIP

After nearly 10 years of successfully promoting the links between tourism and the environment in Scotland, the Tourism and Environment Forum is finally resting on its laurels.  As part of efforts to ‘mainstream’ sustainable tourism, a new Sustainable Tourism Unit is being developed within VisitScotland.  The new unit will be responsible not only for leading efforts to make Scottish tourism a more sustainable industry, but will also drive VisitScotland’s own efforts to take the environment and local communities more effectively into account when planning tourism development and promotion projects.

A new, industry-focused Sustainable Tourism Partnership will be set up to build links with tourism businesses interested in the sustainable development of Scottish tourism.  And the extremely popular greentourism website will continue to serve as our main means for disseminating sustainable tourism advice and information.

This is an important step forward for sustainable tourism in Scotland and reflects the growing political, consumer and business interest in making Scotland’s number one industry its most sustainable industry.

Stay in touch at www.greentourism.org.uk

 NEW PATHS AND BETTER VIEWS WILL PROTECT SKARA BRAE

Improved paths and a new viewing platform are being created at Skara Brae prehistoric village on Orkney, which is cared for by Historic Scotland. The changes are being carried out in several stages, to avoid disruption to visitors, and are due to be completed in October 2007.

They will provide superb views and easier access for visitors, including those using wheelchairs, while protecting the ancient houses from damage. Existing arrangements mean that in the past decade alone more than half a million people have trod paths which run across the wallheads of some of the houses in the 5,000-year-old village.

Close monitoring of House 7 has shown signs of movement which could become a problem if they are not addressed. Visitors can still walk around the detailed replica of this house.

Action is essential to safeguard the houses, part of the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, for future generations.

For more information:

• www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

DEER WATCHING
– GROWTH AREA FOR WILDLIFE TOURISM IN SCOTLAND

Deer are closely associated with Scotland and the Scottish landscape, and deer watching offers unique opportunities for tourists to gain a special Scottish experience. There is considerable scope for development in this area, not only with actual deer watching, but also improving current activities by adding to the experience, for example add-on extras such as providing refreshments and equipment (camera, binoculars).

A recent event organised by the Tourism and Environment Forum brought 31 land managers together to discuss the way forward for Deer Watching as a potential growth area for wildlife tourism in Scotland.

For follow-up report prepared by View Marketing: click here

SUSTAINABLE HEATING METHODS - THE WAY FORWARD

With energy prices higher than ever, changing to a more environmentally friendly heating system won’t just help the environment but will also save you money! But what alternative systems are available?

The Tourism and Environment Forum recently held a workshop to highlight the benefits of using ‘green’ methods of heating. The delegates heard the nitty gritty details from suppliers/installers of solar panels, biomass systems and ground source heat pumps, and also on how to save both energy and money with conventionally fuelled heating systems, and funding sources. The event was a huge success and the feedback received indicates that further workshops on related ‘green’ topics would be welcomed – Watch this space!

More information: Green Heating Workshop

EUROPE LEADS THE WAY

Europe leads the way in establishing environmental and sustainable development legislation and management frameworks.

Europe is a global leader in eco-labelling, particularly for tourism, and there are schemes and initiatives throughout the region. Nine of the most respected and longstanding national tourism eco-labels have allied to establish a European Association known as the Voluntary Initiative for Sustainability in Tourism or VISIT.

These labels generally require accommodation to be of a reasonable quality, although the GTBS retains its unique status as the only one where membership of a quality grading system is mandatory. We at the GTBS have visited a number of eco-labelled establishments, particularly in the Netherlands, Italy and Austria and we are confident that these areas meet a good basic quality standard.

VISIT stands for “Voluntary Initiative for Sustainability in Tourism”, and was created within the frame of an EU funded LIFE project in tourism eco-labelling. The name outlines the concept of the organisation: a positive collaboration between distinct initiatives working towards achieving sustainability in tourism.

For more information:

• www.visit21.net

SUPER EFFICIENCY AT GARENIN ON THE ISLE OF LEWIS

There have been interesting developments below ground on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis.  Two organisations are benefiting from a new thermal heating system that has been tested for over a year and has treated visitors to warmth throughout the winter.

A grant-aided scheme, constructed by Lewis Builders of Stornoway, led to boreholes plunging 75 metres into the solid Lewis gneiss and bringing inexpensive heating to the authentic village settlement at Garenin, in general, and to the Gatliff hostel, in particular.

The properties that were derelict on this site until 1989 have been recreated in recent years to give an insight into the ways and means of life in the past and to provide accommodation of varying standards for visitors in the present.

The drystone masonry and thatched roofing maintain the archaic look, but the heat-exchanger in one of the buildings provides underfloor heating and hot-water for radiators without spoiling the original look of the buildings and without adding CO2 emissions to the pure air that blows straight off the Atlantic, only a matter of some 50 yards away.

For further information:

• www.gearrannan.com
• www.gatliff.org.uk
• or email john@gettingon.com
• Photo courtesy of Iain MacKenzie,
  www.islandsofinspiration.com

THOMSON AGENCIES GO 'GREEN'

Thomson has switched power suppliers for its 750-branch agency chain to harness "green energy".

The outlets will receive electricity generated by wind farms and other renewable sources such as hydro and solar power.

The contract with Scottish and Southern Energy means Thomson will receive 18GWh (gigawatt hours) of green energy a year, equating to 60% of the total electricity consumed across Thomson and its airline Thomsonfly, the company said.

Managing director Peter Rothwell said: "Changes like this can make a huge difference on the impact we have on the environment. We're always looking for opportunities to be greener and are committed to strengthening the position of our business on all aspects of environmental impact and sustainable development.

"If greater efficiency of operations, fuel consumption and business practices benefits the environment, our customers and employees, then it is a win-win situation."

The holiday group is to also try out separating and recycling waste on selected flights, auditing hotels on the environmental impact and encouraging closer co-operation with universities that run sustainable tourism modules.

Report by Phil Davies

For more information on Thomson’s ‘green’ policy see: 

• www.thomson.co.uk

BUSINESSESS STAY OPEN FOR WINTER

Spring may be in the air but the Tourism and Environment Forum is urging businesses to review their success this winter and to plan ahead for next winter.

Opening in winter is good for your business and good for the local economy, bringing visitors to your local area and also in some cases providing services for the local community.  A new leaflet from the Tourism and Environment Forum looks at some examples of tourism businesses throughout Scotland that are making the most of the winter market and increasing their income. There is also a “top tips” section.

To obtain a copy of the leaflet, “Wake up to winter”, please contact Sandy Dear on sandy.dear@visitscotland.com or phone 01463 723021. The case studies in the leaflet, along with more information on sustainable tourism, are also available on the Tourism and Environment Forum’s website at www.greentourism.org.uk.

WILDERNESS SCOTLAND GIVES YOU 110%

The subject of carbon neutral business continues to make the headlines.  Various options are now available for all types of tourism business to make a positive commitment to reducing and offsetting the carbon impact of their operations.  Wilderness Scotland, a specialist adventure tour operator, continues to lead the way in the field of sustainable tourism.  The company which was the VisitScotland Tourism Business of the Year in 2005, has taken their existing commitment on carbon neutral business a step further.  They have recently announced the decision to financially offset by 110% all carbon emissions generated by the company including those arising from transportation, office practices and trip operations.  The annual financial contribution will go to support the activities of the Wilderness Foundation UK, a charity dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of wild places in Scotland and overseas.

For more information please visit the Wilderness Scotland website:

• www.wildernessscotland.com

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Holyrood 'Sustainable Landscapes' Conference, 16 May 2006

Isle of Arran Wildlife Festival, 27-31 May 2006

For further details on forthcoming events, click here

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CALL FOR STORIES:

If you would like to contribute to this or any of STU's publications, please contact us by phone on 01463 723012, by email to enquiries@greentourism.org.uk , or by post to Sustainable Tourism Unit, Thistle House, Beechwood Park North, Inverness, IV2 3ED.

All contributions welcome and any comments too!