Archived Sustainable Tourism E-news

TEF E-News - Issue 6 - April 2005

Welcome to the 6th issue of the Tourism and Environment Forum (TEF) E-Newsletter, which is full of information about green issues that affect Scotland’s tourism industry.

To receive our e-newsletter every two months, tick the box at the bottom of the Contact Us form and tell us your email address. It's as simple as that! And sit back and let us keep you updated with green tourism news from across Scotland.

Communication is the Key to Success

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

TEF – working together to sustain Scotland’s natural assets

Spring into Action with Positive Impact

To help banish those April shower blues, the Forum brings you our newest edition of 'Positive Impact'! This edition focuses on exciting developments within the built and cultural aspect of Scotland's tourism industry. From a VisitScotland campaign which highlights the maritime heritage of Scotland's past and present, to a local initiative interpreting prehistoric ruins in the Eskdale valley, 'Positive Impact' shows what's happening across Scotland. Each article reveals at least one element of sustainability in action, whether it be a partnership approach creating a quality tourism product or a greater awareness of the effects of tourism. 'Positive Impact' celebrates the natural assets of Scotland and the positive impact tourism can have economically, socially and environmentally.

For more information:

It’s a Wild Business! – Free Half-day Seminars on Nature Based Tourism

As part of the Tourism & Environment Forum's (TEF) current focus on nature-based tourism, three morning workshops are being held for businesses interested in this area. The workshops will be held in Inverness (5th May), Perth (10th May) and Auchincruive, nr Ayr (24th May). At each event the opportunities for developing this sector will be explored, with examples and advice from businesses already working in this field. There are endless opportunities for all types of business to get involved with nature-based tourism - activity providers, hotels, farms or shops. Do come along and find out!

For more information:

Contact Us
or call 01463 723059

Butterflies Mean Business

Butterflies are beautiful, ethereal creatures which are often overlooked by locals and visitors. But Butterfly Conservation Scotland is working to raise awareness of this incredible insect. Visitors to Lomond, Rural Stirling and the Cairngorms will soon be discovering that the area is spotted with great butterfly sites. To help spread the word and allow visitors to share in the magical experience of butterfly-watching, six introductory workshops are available throughout Spring and Summer to those who provide information to tourists, such as B&B owners, visitor centre staff and rangers etc. The magic of getting close to butterflies can prove an unforgettable experience, and it is this uniqueness which will add to a visitors’ holiday experience and encourage them to extend their stay and return to the area again.

For more information:

Butterfly Conservation Scotland

Tourism and Nature in Perfect Harmony

With the perfect timing which is only found in nature, the ospreys returned to Loch of the Lowes Wildlife Reserve just in time for the opening of the visitor centre on 21st March. The pair of breeding ospreys returning to their nesting site near Dunkeld, were a welcomed sight to both staff and volunteers who were fearful that they may not have overcome the dangers they faced during their migration to West Africa last year. But, for the staff and volunteers, the worry doesn't end there. Now, the female has laid eggs, a 24-hour, round the clock surveillance operation starts, using infra-red video cameras manned by a small army of 70 local volunteers plus staff. This protection programme continues until the chicks hatch six weeks later.

For more information:

Loch of Lowes Reserve

Scottish Green Tourism Venue for G8 Summit

The Gleneagles Hotel, which will host the G8 summit, is being used by the Tourism minister, Patricia Ferguson, as a strong example of how Scotland is fast becoming a leading green destination through the provision of 'green' venues. The summit, with climate change at the top of the agenda, will be an opportunity to show the world how Scottish tourism businesses are adopting environmentally friendly practices. Ms Ferguson said: "…VisitScotland's Green Tourism Business Scheme is encouraging more and more tourism businesses in Scotland to employ environmentally friendly practices. To date, nearly five hundred of our tourism businesses have signed up to the scheme, and we aim to double that number over the next three years as more of them recognise its value. Gleneagles…is a recipient of the scheme's Gold award, and more and more businesses…across Scotland understand that sustainable business is good business. It is important to be seen by our visitors as a country which cares about protecting and preserving our environmental heritage for the benefit of future generations."

For more information:

UK Framework for Sustainable Development

A shared framework for sustainable development in the UK was launched in Edinburgh at the beginning of March. The framework has been agreed by all 4 administrations in the UK and will be supported by separate strategies for each administration.

Speaking at the launch, First Minister Jack McConnell commented: "For the past three centuries, too many people simply didn't recognise that the world's resources are not limitless. I am pleased to be launching the new UK Framework for Sustainable Development at this time. It represents a new level of commitment for all four parts of the United Kingdom…Our challenge is to make economic growth sustainable, to break the link with environmental damage and change the way we lead our lives so we leave a better legacy for those who come after us."

Scotland's sustainable development strategy will be published in the autumn.

For more information:

TEF News article

Scottish Biodiversity Week 21st – 29th May

Over the last few years, Scottish Biodiversity Week has successfully raised awareness of biodiversity at a local level, by getting the public involved in activities and events, and reinforcing that what is done locally does have a national impact. This year, there are some interesting events taking place during the week. These include a guided walk entitled 'You Can Eat What?' which reveals what you can eat in the woods today, from bark bread to elderflower champagne!, and 'Furry Fishers', a ranger led dusk vigil to spot the otters that fish in Forfar Loch.

So if you as an individual, a group, or an organisation would like to run an event during the week please pass the details on to Jo Lenthall, Scottish Biodiversity Forum, on 0131 311 6512 or by email.

For more information:

List of events

Woodland Gate Closed to Vehicles

Forestry Commission Scotland are cracking down on the illegal use of motor vehicles in the national forests in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park . They have begun mounting patrols to look for people taking vehicles such as motorbikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), cars and four-by-fours into the forests, and ask the public to report any incidents, along with the registration number of the vehicle involved. This activity can damage the forest environment and woodland trails, and cause disturbance to wildlife and other users who visit the forest to enjoy the peace and quiet. Recreation manager for Cowal and the Trossachs, Shirley Leek, comments, "It is possible that some people believe that Scotland's new access legislation gives them the right to enter national forests with motor vehicles, but this is not so. The legislation is for the benefit of people such as walkers, horse riders and cyclists."

For more information:

Full press release
Cowal & Trossachs Forest District on 01877 382383
Public enquiries line, 0845 FORESTS (0845 367 3787)

Research Agenda Goes to the Heart of Neolithic Orkney

An exemplary collaboration by Historic Scotland, Orkney Islands Council and Orkney College, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, was launched in March by Patricia Ferguson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. The groups have worked closely together to produce a research agenda for The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. The agenda provides the most up-to-date overview of the present state of knowledge of Orcadian archaeology; one of Scotland and the world's most important archaeological areas.

Speaking about the importance of the publication, Patricia Ferguson said: "We feel that this research agenda sets the standard and will be a model for World Heritage Site managers throughout the world, as well as others dealing with the challenges and opportunities of their local archaeological inheritance elsewhere in Scotland."

For more information:

Historic Scotland press release
Call 0131 668 8668 for a hard copy of research agenda

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

'It's a Wild Business' , Tourism and Environment Forum business seminars, 5th May - Inverness, 10th May - Perth, 24th May - Auchincruive.

'Cairngorms Connections' , 25th April - 25th May, various venues.

'Creating a Sustainable Market' , ASVA Spring seminar, 4th May, Our Dynamic Earth.

'Getting the Message Across' , 4th May, SNH Battleby Conference Centre.

'Scottish Countryside Access Network Conference' , 13th May, Birnam.

'Wild Encounters Festival' , 21st May - 5th June, various venues throughout northern highlands.

For more information on forthcoming events, please click here .

Sign Up for Green Tourism News!

Click here to receive our e-newsletter straight to your PC, every two months.

CALL FOR STORIES:

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

All contributions welcome and any comments too!