Archived Sustainable Tourism E-news

TEF E-News - Issue 4 - December 2004

Welcome to the 4th 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 advantage.

LINKING SCOTLAND'S BUILT AND NATURAL HERITAGE

Hot off the press is the second booklet in the Tourism & Environment Forum's 'Greening Scottish Tourism' series. Following positive feedback from the initial booklet, 'Greening Scottish Tourism, Ten Best Practice Case Studies', the Forum has expanded the series. The new booklet focuses on Scotland's built heritage sites and the many ways which these sites conserve and promote the natural environment. The booklet is aimed at sharing ideas and experience among built heritage managers and staff but will also provide ideas for those interested in a sustainable approach to tourism development. Best of all, it's free! So, if you would like a copy for yourself, contact TEF on enquiries@greentourism.org.uk or telephone 01463 723012.

NICE NICHE

Tourism & Environment Forum Project Officer, Caroline Warburton, was involved in two seminars in the south of Scotland in October. Organised through Making Tracks , the seminars aimed to update local businesses on development in nature-based tourism (NBT) in the South of Scotland and explore ways forward for this sector.

Caroline gave an overview of nature-based tourism and various projects in Scotland. Presentations were also given by Claire Wager, the local Making Tracks project officer, Andrea Nicholas from the Green Tourism Business Scheme and Richard Fairbairns from Wild Scotland . Outcomes from the seminars were the establishment of a self-help group for GTBS in the Scottish Borders region and also the development of a Wild Scotland sub-group in the south of Scotland. Wild Scotland gives NBT businesses a united voice at a national and local level and the opportunity to shape the development of the industry in the future. For more information about the event or future plans contact Claire Wager on cwager@scot-borders.co.uk .

CREAM O'GALLOWAY RISES TO THE TOP

Cream o'Galloway Dairy Company near Gatehouse of Fleet has secured one of the highest accolades in the tourism industry – it is the 2004 winner of the Tourism and Environment category at VisitScotland's Thistle Awards. Cream o'Galloway, an organic dairy farm, ice cream manufacturer, retailer and visitor attraction, came out top against stiff competition from Perthshire Tourist Board's Environmental Programme and Forestry Commission Scotland's Tweed Valley Osprey Project. This year the award, sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage, recognised companies and projects that had provided relevant training and staff development to increase staff awareness and understanding of Scotland's natural heritage.

Cream o'Galloway's entry was recognised for its wide-ranging environmental training programme for staff, which includes environmental education training, identification of species and visits to nature trails and other wildlife tourism sites. The programme has helped their staff raise awareness amongst visitors of wildlife in the area, and demonstrated a clear environmental approach by the owners in managing their business.

For more information:

GOING, GOING, GOLD

Historic Scotland visitor attractions are going green by gaining more gold awards from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). Tom Brock, Chairman of the Tourism and Environment Forum, presented Gold plaques to the three most recent sites to achieve the highest accolade of the scheme, Craigmillar Castle, near Edinburgh, Tantallon Castle and Dirleton Castle, both near North Berwick.

All Historic Scotland staffed sites are part of GTBS and a number of initiatives have been introduced to ensure that the properties achieve and maintain standards of excellence in green tourism. One example is that 'green' folders are now used at all properties to enable stewards to monitor environmental issues. A suggestion form included in the folder is used to identify best practice and, where appropriate, extend it to other properties or areas within the Agency.

For more information:

A TRAIL OF ONE CITY

When visiting Glasgow you can't fail to notice the influence of one of the city's most famous architects, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. An innovative new visitors pass has been developed to make it even easier for visitors to enjoy all the Mackintosh attractions whilst travelling in a sustainable way. The one-day Mackintosh Trail Ticket costs just £10 and allows visitors unlimited travel on SPT Subway, First bus services in Greater Glasgow and includes entry to all the Mackintosh attractions. The trail ticket is a passport to attractions such as The Lighthouse, Glasgow School of Art, House for an Art Lover, The Hill House and McLellan Galleries.

Stuart Robertson, Director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society said, "We wanted to package all-things Mackintosh that Glasgow has to offer and encourage residents and visitors to see more of the city. The Mackintosh Trail Ticket offers a seamless experience involving two types of public transport and 12 visitor attractions. The launch of this service would not have been made possible without the Tourism Innovation Development Award from Scottish Enterprise."

For more information:

Source: ASVA

NOT JUST FOR SUMMER

Many visitor attractions throughout Scotland are doing their bit to ensure the sustainability of tourism by extending their traditional visitor season. Encouraging a more even spread of visitors throughout the year is one of the key aims of sustainability highlighted by the Tourism & Environment Forum's Sustainable Tourism Statement . Extending the season not only benefits the local community by providing year-round employment but may also more evenly distribute visitor pressures on sensitive built and natural heritage sites.

This winter, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is opening all three visitor centres to see whether there is year-round demand for these attractions. Reinvestment in some of the path networks ensures well-maintained paths for easier 'puddle-free' walking for visitors throughout the season. Visitor surveys confirm that users of the Park will welcome the additional service provision. Proving that Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is truly a 'Park for People'.

Glamis Castle near Forfar is keeping its doors open for an extra two months. Staying open until 23rd December 2004, a 'Special Winter Programme' has been developed including carol concerts, mulled wine and Christmas fare in the 16th Century Kitchens. Throughout this time, entrance to the grounds and gardens is free, another good reason to visit Glamis Castle in the wintertime.

For more on this issue:

HILTON'S 'RESPONSIBLE TOURISM' IS HIGHLY COMMENDED

The Hilton UK & Ireland's Environmental Sustainability Training Programme has been picked from over 750 worldwide initiatives for a 'Highly Commended' Award at the Responsible Tourism Awards 2004. The Awards acknowledge companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to 'responsible' tourism. Projects that make a positive contribution to conservation and the economies of local communities, while minimising the negative impacts of tourism, are recognised.

Hilton's Environmental Sustainability Training Programme was launched earlier in 2004 and has involved the training and consultation of all 15,000 employees to raise awareness on how to reduce impact on the environment. Hilton believes the programme positions the company as the UK industry leader in caring for the environment and has publicly set a target to reduce utility consumption across the UK & Ireland estate by 10% by 2006.

For more information:

Responsible Travel Awards 2004

THE CAERLAVEROCK EXPERIENCE

Caerlaverock Castle and Nature Reserve, featured in the Tourism & Environment Forum's new publication 'Greening Scottish Tourism - Linking the Built and Natural Heritage', is leading the way in their integrated approach to management. Those involved in managing the different elements of Caerlaverock are certainly not afraid in moving forward. A recent exchange event was organised where a team of countryside and tourism specialists from North America and England came for a weeklong visit to consider how the nature-based tourism potential of the area could be developed.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Caerlaverock Estate, Historic Scotland and the Wildfowl Wetlands Trust invited the North America/United Kingdom Countryside Exchange Team to Caerlaverock. The Exchange team pulled together their observations and recommendations from the week into a 50 page report "The Caerlaverock Experience". The team recognised the need for balance of the environment, community and economy when planning for development.

For more information:

EURO WORKSHOP GIVES BUSINESSES THE EDGE

Nature-based tourism is a growing sector not only in Scotland but also across Europe and the world. As the sector grows, so does the competition and for businesses in peripheral and remote areas there are a range of comment issues which also need tackled, such as access, reaching the right market and responsible wildlife watching. Thanks to funding provided by the EU's Northern Periphery Programme (NPP), 12 Highlands and Islands businesses got the opportunity to discuss these issues and share ideas with similar businesses across northern Europe at a workshop in Norway at the end of October.

The workshop in Bodo in northern Norway was the first of three trans-national workshops, which will be held as part of the three-year project. Businesses from Norway, Sweden and Iceland also attended and delegates had the opportunity to experience first-hand what nature-based tourism in Norway is like. The next international workshop will be held is Ballachulish in 2005. Scottish Natural Heritage (lead Scottish partner), Highlands and Islands Enterprise, VisitScotland and Tourism & Environment Forum support the project.

For more information:

Nature Based Tourism

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Conference on the Public Understanding of the Marine Environment, 18th January 2005 at The Resource Centre, London.

Greener Golf Courses: Sharing Good Practice, 2nd February 2005 in Gleneagles Area, venue to be confirmed.

Scottish Energy & Environmental Conference 2005, 8th February 2005 at the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow.

For more information on forthcoming events click here.

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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!