Questions and Answers on Going Green and the Green Tourism Business Scheme

What is Going Green?

Going Green is a list of ideas to help Scottish businesses work in a way that is conscious of the environment, available on this website, free of charge.

It is designed to help businesses work towards achieving an award under the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Why has Going Green been developed?

Businesses can be reluctant to join the Green Tourism Business Scheme for a variety of reasons:

They perceive it is too complicated or onerous to work in a ‘green’ way, it involves too much change, or it may be costly.
They are wary of paying up front when they do not know if they will achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold award.
They do not believe the green debate on the human contribution towards climate change.
People are unaware of the increased consumer demand to spend with tourism businesses that have green credentials
The financial outlay of participation

Going Green was developed to help businesses see the benefits of working more sustainably. It is a stepping stone approach to help operators begin along the green path, and see for themselves that it is not difficult or costly and will save them money.

What are the differences between Going Green and The Green Tourism Business Scheme?

Going Green is a business development tool – it is designed to motivate you by seeing how easy it is to take a few measures that will make you work more efficiently. It is to whet your appetite and prompt you to do more over a two year period. It is a stepping stone to participation in the Green Tourism Business Scheme, preparing you for an assessment based on what you have achieved. It is a free of charge helping hand to getting proper recognition under Scotland’s well established green scheme.

The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is the largest scheme of its kind in Europe. Joining GTBS involves a fee, and an on site assessment every second year to rate your efforts to work in a sustainable way. GTBS assessors report that at every visit, they are able to give recommendations to proprietors of how to make small (or larger if required) adjustments to save more money. Assessors are highly trained in giving hands-on advice.

GTBS businesses will get a plaque, window sticker and certificate and all important promotion of the award to consumers, in VisitScotland brochures and visitscotland.com. GTBS is proof of your green credentials after a proper on-site accreditation whilst Going Green is a sign of your good intentions, is non-verified, and so has no VisitScotland promotion to visitors.

What are the benefits of participating in GTBS?

Cost savings e.g. on utility bills
Ideas to implement that are environmentally conscious and do not compromise quality for visitors
Motivation for owners, management and staff to achieve their own green targets
Marketing enhancement by having a green award
Better credentials for the increasing number of green conscious consumers, so more business
Knowing they are playing a part to safeguard the future of Scottish tourism by reducing environmental impact
Feeling part of a green network and sharing ideas with each other
Being searchable on visitscotland.com by their green award
Being made available for press coverage

What if you choose not to join GTBS after the 2 years (maximum) duration of Going Green?

VisitScotland’s intention is that the ideas and ongoing communication received after sign-up to Going Green will prove that taking the next step and joining GTBS for on-site assessments / advice and consumer recognition will be seen to be well worthwhile. However, if after this period, operators feel the Green Tourism Business Scheme would be of no benefit, the business will be withdrawn from the Going Green database and be required to withdraw any reference to the Going Green policy or visitor charter.

As every property is different and GTBS on-site visits are full of individual support and advice, plus visitors to Scotland are becoming increasingly green aware we believe that GTBS recognition is the way to get the best out of your business and sell that to potential customers.

Do you have to join Going Green before the Green Tourism Business Scheme?

No, Going Green is a stepping stone approach if you feel you need it. The Green Tourism Business Scheme can be joined at any time bypassing Going Green. Go to www.green-business.co.uk for all the information you need on the Green Tourism Business Scheme.