Archived Sustainable Tourism E-newsTEF E-News - Issue 10 - December 2005Welcome to the new issue of the Tourism and Environment Forum (TEF) E-Newsletter, full of information about green issues affecting Scotland's tourism industry. To receive our e-news 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! Sit back and let us keep you updated with green tourism news from across Scotland.
Communication is the Key to SuccessTEF 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 |
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HAVE YOURSELVES A 'POSITIVE IMPACT' THIS CHRISTMAS Not sure about how to improve your business' impact on the community or environment? Then get your hands on the latest edition of the Tourism and Environment Forum's 'Positive Impact' newsletter and it will give you some great examples of what other businesses are doing in Scotland! Highlighting sustainable tourism businesses across Scotland, 'Positive Impact' includes green tourism success stories from businesses like the Tourism Business of the Year and this year's Tourism & Environment Thistle Award winner and showcases two green tourism firsts for Scotland, one in Edinburgh and the other in the Cairngorms. We hope you enjoy this issue and take onboard some of the hints and tips provided in the 'Positive Action' boxes. For more information:
'THISTLE' BE THE DAY!
The Thistle Awards had a distinctive 'green' flavour this year as they celebrated the successes of Scotland's tourism businesses. The significant number of 'green' businesses amongst the finalists and winners of these 'Tourism Oscars', graphically demonstrate the link between quality and environmental awareness. A quarter of all the businesses reaching the finals were in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). One category of particular interest was the 'Tourism & Environment' award, which this year went to Haggis Adventures, Edinburgh. Earlier this year, Haggis Adventures also became the first tour operator to receive GTBS accreditation demonstrating that they are indeed an environmentally responsible operator with a strong commitment to sustainable tourism. For more information:
FIRST FOR THE HIGHLANDS The very first Highland Tourism Awards shone the spotlight on 3 Highland businesses that are committed to 'greening' Scottish tourism. One of the top awards, the 'Green Highlands' Award, was won by Northern Light Charters, based in Oban. The award, sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), recognises businesses that demonstrate a commitment to Scotland’s natural heritage and raise awareness and understanding of green issues among its visitors. The highly commended 'Green Highlands' award went to the Loch Ness based Bed and Breakfast 'Evergreen' as a business not only rated with the highest gold award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme but has one of the highest possible scores. The business offers a personal and informed natural heritage guiding service for their guests, involving car trails as well as guided walks. Thirdly, the runner-up 'Green Highlands' prize went to The Isle of Glencoe Hotel and Leisure Centre in Ballachulish. It was awarded to the hotel for having clear environmental policies and actively working to ensure high environmental standards. For more information: 'GREEN' ABBEY ACHIEVES 5-STAR ACCOLADE
Arbroath Abbey's status as an outstanding tourist attraction has been endorsed by VisitScotland, which has awarded the historic Tayside property its highest accolade - a 5-star rating. Staff at the site have achieved the highest quality award whilst also maintaining a Gold award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme. Proving yet again that quality and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. Well done to all those at Arbroath Abbey! For more information: ONE TEAM FOR TOURISM A draft framework mapping the future direction of the Scottish tourism industry was unveiled at the Scotland United conference in November. Tourism Minster Patricia Ferguson told delegates Scotland had the "ambition, desire and drive" to become the most sustainable visitor destination in the world. Ms Ferguson urged businesses to "work together as one team for Scottish tourism". She commented that the "draft framework is not just another government strategy, but proposals framed by Scotland's tourism businesses". Ms Ferguson spotlighted the industry aim to grow tourism by 50 per cent over the next ten years but highlighted the need for this growth to be achieved sustainably. For more information: REDUCING SCOTLAND'S 'ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT' Earlier in December, Ministers set out an urgent programme of action to improve quality of life, protect natural resources and reduce Scotland's impact on the global environment. 'Choosing Our Future: Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy' estimates that the area of land and sea needed to provide all the resources currently consumed in Scotland - the country's ecological footprint - is 2.4 times the global average. If this level of consumption were replicated across the globe we would require another two planets to sustain us. During the launch of the Strategy, Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen highlighted the role that Scottish businesses must play to ensure Scotland’s growth can be sustained: "Business has a crucial role in helping Scotland to make the transition to a low carbon economy. We have to become a lot more energy efficient… we want to see Scottish business leading the shift to clean and lean technologies to open new market opportunities." For more information: YOUR GUIDE TO PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT A new Guide has been produced to help small businesses protect the environment. 'Sustainable Development - a practical guide for small businesses in Scotland' helps firms look at sustainable development and identify opportunities for improvement. Published by the Business Environment Partnership, it demonstrates the need to consider economic, social and environmental objectives as a whole, rather than being an additional burden. Doing so leads to opportunities for businesses to become cleaner, more efficient and more competitive. To obtain a copy of the guide:
PROTECTING SCOTLAND'S ENVIRONMENTAL BILLIONS According to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the environment is worth £17billion to the Scottish people every year. In order to safeguard the value of the environment for the Scottish people, SEPA have welcomed the new Sustainable Development Strategy launched recently. SEPA is one of the main agencies involved in delivering the Scottish Executive's sustainable development objectives. Part of the agency's role is to help preserve those benefits through its work on regulating a range of activities that could cause pollution. But, as well as the environment, it must also take social and economic factors into account. SEPA will be working alongside Scottish Natural Heritage, Communities Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to discuss the next steps in continuing to make sustainable development a reality. For more information: DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL & MARINE NATIONAL PARK CONTINUES The process of developing Scotland's first Coastal & Marine National Park took a step forward last month as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) sought views from over 150 people from a wide variety of organisations with an interest in marine and coastal issues during two seminars in Inverness and Glasgow. SNH has also written to over 300 people to seek views on the park, while a steering group of national coastal and marine interest groups, as well as SNH's website, help to provide a forum for discussion and feedback. A full public consultation is planned for next year. For more information: VIEWS SOUGHT ON WILDLIFE WATCHING CODE Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has launched a public consultation on the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code. The code will help protect and promote enjoyment of marine wildlife such as dolphins, seals, otters and basking sharks. A draft code has been produced in association with a range of marine interest groups, and interested parties are encouraged to give their views by contacting SNH or viewing the specially developed website, www.marinecode.org. The new Code helps to promote enjoyment and to raise awareness about how best to watch marine wildlife with minimum disturbance. Wildlife watching is now an increasingly significant aspect of tourism in Scotland and it is important for the sector's future, as well as for wildlife, that people behave in a manner which does not disturb these species. For more information: GEESE FLYING HIGH IN SCOTLAND A recent report by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) revealed that geese are returning to winter in Scotland in some of the highest numbers recorded since their populations crashed in the early 20th century. The report found that numbers of pink-footed goose, Greenland white-fronted goose, greylag goose and two types of barnacle goose have recovered significantly in recent decades. Greg Mudge at SNH said: "The annual return of geese is one of our most spectacular wildlife events and this report clearly demonstrates the success story of goose conservation in Scotland…Attitudes towards geese have definitely changed and many people now regard them as a tourist attraction which helps the rural economy. However we shouldn't get complacent about our goose populations as they remain extremely vulnerable to changing circumstances in their arctic breeding grounds, at their migration stopovers and on their wintering grounds in western Europe." For more information: 'TIS THE SEASON TO RECYCLE Bring in the New Year by starting off as you mean to go on! Instead of consigning old Christmas cards to the bin, take them to any WH Smith high street store or Tesco Extra or Superstore during 2nd - 31st January, and the Woodland Trust will recycle them for you. For more information: 'TOP 5' NEWS STORIES What are the top 5 news stories on the Green Tourism website?
'TOP 5' BEST PRACTICE STUDIES What are the top 5 best practice business examples on the Green Tourism website? DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 'CoastNet Conference: Participatory Planning and Working with Natural Processes on the Coast', 19 January 2006, The Hague, Netherlands 'Path Promoting & Marketing', 1 February 2006, Inglewood House, Alloa 'Climate Change and Scottish Tourism - What Does it Really Mean?', 2 February 2006, VisitScotland Office, Ocean Point One, Edinburgh 'Influencing Responsible Behaviour', 21 February 2006, SNH Battleby Conference Centre, near Perth 'Environmental Tourism - The Future', 1 March 2006, Perth Concert Hall, Perth For details on forthcoming events, click here . |
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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! |
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Contact Us
Sustainable Tourism Unit, VisitScotland,
Thistle House,
Beechwood Park North,
Inverness, IV2 3ED.
enquiries@greentourism.org.uk