Archived Sustainable Tourism E-news

TEF E-News - Issue 2 - August 2004

Welcome to the 2nd issue of the Tourism and Environment Forum (TEF) E-Newsletter, which is full of information about green issues that affect Scotland’s tourism industry.

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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 advantage.

SCOTLAND IS EUROPE'S NO. 1 WILDLIFE DESTINATION

This is the statement made by Scotland’s new wildlife and nature tourism operators association, ‘Wild Scotland’. The Scottish Tourism Minister, Frank McAveety backed ‘Wild Scotland’ by officially launching the association on Monday 16^th August at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick. Representatives from tourism businesses and organisations from all over Scotland heard talks from Wild Scotland Chairman, Richard Fairbairns, Tourism & Environment Forum Chairman, Tom Brock and the Minister himself. Setting up the association represents an important step forward in the sustainable development of wildlife tourism in Scotland.

For more information:

THE GROWING MARKET OF WILDLIE TOURISM

The Scottish Tourism minister also highlighted the importance of wildlife tourism at the re-opening of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s newly refurbished Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre in Angus. Mr McAveety stated that wildlife tourism presents a great opportunity for growing Scottish tourism and spoke of the need to extend the tourist season. The development of wildlife tourism can help achieve this as some of the best wildlife experiences occur outwith the main summer season. The Minister commented, "In the growing market of wildlife tourism, the centre is an excellent example of how we can reach our goal in making Scotland one of Europe’s leading wildlife destinations."

For more information:

QUEST FOR SCOTLAND'S NATIONAL BIRD

The quest has begun to discover a national bird for Scotland. As part of its centenary year celebration, the RSPB and the Scotsman newspaper have joined forces to launch this campaign. Voted for by the Scottish public, the bird will become a national emblem of Scotland alongside the thistle and the Saltire if adopted by the Scottish Parliament. The spin-offs for wildlife tourism and conservation are expected to be significant.

Caroline Warburton, of the Tourism and Environment Forum, has joined the campaign, commenting that "Scotland’s natural heritage is an integral part of Scotland’s attraction as a tourism destination. Time and again, our visitors tell us that this is a key reason why they visit Scotland. What better way to encapsulate this image than through a national bird?"

For more information:

The Scotsman

GOLF CLUBS AS STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

This is the message of a booklet entitled ‘Royal Troon Golf Club: A Hole by Hole Guide to its Wildlife and Conservation’ which was publicised at the 2004 Scottish Open in July. As golf fans around the world watched on, the BBC commentary of one of the golfing calendars major events highlighted the abundance of wildlife around the Royal Troon Golf course hosting the event. This television coverage was supported by the production of the booklet.

The booklet, written in the main by the Scottish Golf Environment Group (SGEG) was designed to raise awareness of the intimate relationship between golf courses and the environment. Jonathan Smith of SGEG said: "We hope the booklet will increase people’s understanding of what golf can and does contribute to the conservation of Scotland’s flora and fauna, and emphasise the important role all golf clubs have as stewards of their local environment."

For more information:

TEF Archive News Page
To obtain a copy of the booklet please email SGEG on scotgolf.wildlife@virgin.net

EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE

The Scottish Borders celebrated two major environmental achievements recently with a visitor attraction and an accommodation provider both being awarded a Gold accreditation from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS).

The Scottish Borders Council operates Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre in Jedburgh. Commenting on the achievement, Councillor Val Robson congratulated the staff on their hard work and commitment to improving the environmental practice of the centre.

Ettrick Holidays owned Elspinhope Cottage now holds the title for the first Gold GTBS awarded self-catering property in the south of Scotland. Riddell Graham, Chief Executive of Scottish Borders Tourist Board (SBTB) offered his praise in gaining such a worthy title and encouraged more tourism businesses in the area to apply to the GTBS scheme. Mr Graham stated that more and more visitors are demanding accommodation have ‘green’ credentials.

For more information:

OSPREY'S 50TH

2004 sees the 50^th anniversary of the Osprey’s return to Scotland and with 161 breeding pairs, the success of this conservation story is apparent. The Osprey 50^th Project was formed to organise events throughout 2004 to celebrate this significant anniversary. The Project is a partnership between the Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Scottish Raptor Study Groups.

Moira Baptie of Forestry Commission Scotland commented "It is excellent that the 'Osprey 50th' project will raise awareness of the importance of Scotland's wildlife, which has a key role to play in the development of rural economies through sustainable green tourism'.

The importance of these birds to Scottish tourism is set to increase in the future with bird watching the fastest growing pastime. The first Osprey viewing site opened at Loch Garten, Abernethy Forest in 1959 and received 14,000 visitors in the first 6 weeks. In 2004, Loch Garten is one of many viewing sites throughout Scotland and alone has welcomed nearly 40,000 visitors since 1^st April this year. The popularity of observing the Ospreys at their nesting site is going strong, just like the Ospreys themselves.

DATES FOR YOU DIARY

VisitScotland Annual Public Meeting,Thurs 2nd September at the Business Learning & Conference Centre in Dunfermline, Fife.

Greenspace: The Common Denominator, Wednesday 22nd September at Edinburgh First, Edinburgh.

CoastNET Conference: Championing Sustainable Coasts and Seas, Wednesday 6th October at the SOAS University of London, London.

Wild Land for Nature & People, Wednesday 20th – Saturday 23rd October at the Festival Theatre, Pitlochry.

Highlands & Islands International Sustainable Development Conference and Exhibition - Creating a Culture of Sustainability, 3rd – 5th November, Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.

For more information:

Forthcoming Events Page

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CALL FOR STORIES:

If you would like to contribute to this or any of TEF’s publications, please contact Lorna Bryden 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!