Archived Sustainable Tourism Newsletters

So much has happened since the launch of the Tourism and Environment Operational Plan last March that its hard to believe we’ve only been working on it for a year.

The plan lays out aims and objectives for achieving a successful sustainable tourism industry in Scotland. Forum members, working together on a number of projects, have made significant progress towards the targets listed in the plan. We are starting to understand better what visitors to Scotland expect from their holiday. They expect a clean, green, unspoilt environment, that’s why they holiday here.

We are getting this message over to businesses and agencies involved in tourism in Scotland using case studies, area tourism strategies and plans for the proposed national parks. Our revamped website is the best business- focussed green tourism site on the internet, although we’re always on the look-out for ways we can improve it. And events like the Caithness wildlife tourism conference have enabled us to get sustainable tourism messages, information and support to Scottish businesses keen to grow their green tourism enterprise.

A number of important projects are currently underway that will open up whole new areas of opportunity. Plans to promote Scotland’s natural environment on the internet, a publication to help visitors understand the ‘specialness’ of that environment and the proposed launching of the Green Tourism Business Scheme as a fully commercial initiative all herald the start of a new phase in the implementation of the Operational Plan.

With a new manager and new projects officer in place we can expect a year of great activity and progress in sustainable tourism in Scotland. The plan sets the context for these changes but it will be by using specific projects to demonstrate how new ideas can be put into practice that Forum members can really change tourism in Scotland. This newsletter will bring you up to date on number of these projects. If you would like to find out more about any of them get in touch with the Forum office in HIE on 01463-244322.

Best wishes, 

Roger Wheater - TEF chairman

Historic Scotland signs up to GTBS

Last year Historic Scotland commissioned a pilot study into the feasibility of its historic properties joining the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). Historic Scotland looks after more than 300 historic sites ranging in age from the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae on Orkney to the 19th-century whisky distillery of Dallas Dhu by Forres. The organisation also looks after Scotland's premier visitor attraction, Edinburgh Castle, with 1.2 million visitors a year.

For the pilot study three sites were chosen for their geographical spread and range of visitor facilities. They were Skara Brae on Orkney, a prehistoric village with a modern visitor centre; Stirling Castle, a large structure with a range of building periods and visitor facilities; and Craigmillar Castle, a partly ruinous building with a small visitor centre in a converted cottage. Not only was each property audited against GTBS’s Visitor Attraction criteria but Historic Scotland’s environmental policies as a whole were also taken into account.

The study, undertaken by Shetland Environmental Agency (SEA) based in Perth, concluded that all three of the properties were at Bronze Award level and, with a little work, could attain Silver. Historic Scotland as a whole was credited for its good practice in terms of commitment to conservation of built environment. These included the re-use or recycling of construction material, the purchasing timber from managed/sustainable resources, apprenticeship scheme for craftsmen, all promotional literature produced on sustainable material and central purchasing of local/Scottish crafts and food

Commenting on the report, Jenny Hess, Head of Marketing at Historic Scotland said:
" We are very pleased with the results of this pilot study which recognises
our commitment to the conservation of the built heritage and the environmentally-
conscious practises already in place within the agency. We will now make
arrangements to have our staffed properties inspected under the GTBS and
discuss internally the improvements we can make in managing both the
properties and our headquarters function."

Positive Action: If you would like to find out more about the Green Tourism Business Scheme, contact Quality Assurance, STB, Thistle House, Beechwood Park North, Inverness, IV2 3ED. Tel: 01463 716 996

Scottish golf demonstrated concern for the environment - Nationally and locally

Four Scottish golf courses have received a major Pan-European accolade for leading the way in the care of the environment.

Gleneagles, Linlithgow, Elmwood and Kilmacolm are amongst the first to be given the new Environmental Excellence Award - set up by the Scottish Gold Course Wildlife Group and the Committee to Green Foundation to promote a better understanding of golf’s contribution to conservation of the environment.

The new scheme is open to any golf club or local authority in the country. Those taking part have to meet specific criteria in a number of topics and have to demonstrate best management practices in a wide range of their operations including nature conservation, landscape, environmental planning and waste management.

The scheme has the full endorsement of key golfing and environmental bodies in Scotland and throughout Europe, including the European Commission, Worldwide Fund for Nature and UNEP.

"These four sites have worked extremely hard over the past few years, tackling a wide range of environmental issues in a planned and professional manner, establishing high quality environmental programmes which have made a real difference to the quality of their local environments." said Jonathan Smith, senior golf course advisor with the Scottish Golf Union.

"These awards are achievable by any golf club or local authority. It is hoped that eventually every course in Scotland will meet the criteria required to receive such an accolade".

Positive Action: Further information on the scheme can be obtained from Jonathan Smith, Scottish Golf Course Wildlife Group 0131 660 9480 or scotgolf.wildlife@virgin.net

Whale and dolphin charity wins award

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has had a busy year, which was rewarded by receiving the Tourism and Environment Thistle Award at the 2000 Scottish Thistle Award ceremony.

Being busy is commonplace for this small, but industrious charity whose Marine Discovery Centre in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull welcomed over 18,000 visitors through its doors last year. As well as the Visitor Centre, the Trust was also involved in education projects in the Argyll and Islands region, their own research and provided work experience for over 40 young (and young at heart) volunteers. To top it all they also started work on a second centre in Oban.

Things are set continue at a hectic pace in 2001 as the Trust is part of two large projects in Argyll, the NADAIR project and AILLST's Argyll Atlantic Islands project.

More information on The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust can be obtained from their website http://www.gn.apc.org/whales/index.shtml or by contacting them direct on 01688 302 620.

Ashdene House, Edinburgh

A warm (and green) Scottish welcome awaits visitors to Ashdene House in Edinburgh. This small city hotel on the outskirts of Edinburgh city centre and a Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold Award winner, demonstrates that city hotels as much as country ones can all do their bit for the environment.

A lot of effort goes on to keep the business up into keeping up the GTBS Gold
standard. Careful recycling of rubbish keeps waste to a minimum and even when the house is full only 1 domestic Wheelie-Bin is used for 14 guests and 3 residents.

Heating and lighting bills have been reduced by about 30% by using low-energy light bulbs, energy efficient appliances and making sure that radiators are fitted with thermostatic radiator valves (TVRs) to radiators.

Simple actions such as making as much use of local produce as possible when preparing breakfast all contribute to the local economy, reduce the environmental impacts of transporting produce and gives guests something a bit special, which is reflected in the number of repeat stays.

Mr and Mrs Daulby who run the Ashdene House commented "we were delighted to be awarded a Gold Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) in 1998. Since then we have made further improvements to our business operation which have been greatly appreciated by our guests"

To find out more about Ashdene House please visit the Ashdene
House web-site: www.ashdenehouse.com

Blue flags, seaside awards & clean coasts for Scotland

Scotland’s extensive coastline needs its profile raising and ‘good news’ stories to be heard. In 2000, 16 beaches were given Seaside Awards in Scotland and there were only 3 Blue Flag beaches. Compared to England and Wales, these figures are low and each year Scotland’s press highlight how few blue flags are awarded.

In fairness to Scotland’s coast, this is as much due to the lack of seaside resorts in Scotland as it is to do with water quality. But some good has come out of this criticism and there are now plans to introduce a rural blue flag in 2002. This is currently being developed by the Tidy Britain Group.

Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are given to beaches that have met the European standards for bathing water quality. Although both awards promote the best beaches there are subtle differences between the two. The blue flag requires beaches to have guideline water quality (the most stringent standard) and is awarded to resort beaches only, whereas the seaside award only requires the water to be mandatory standard (the minimum standard) and can be awarded to both resort and rural beaches.

A new and exciting initiative, Clean Coasts for Scotland, also hopes to go some way to improving the coastline of Britain to the benefit of the general public and all recreational users. The recently formed group involves representatives from the three water authorities, SEPA, Keep Scotland Beautiful, the Scottish Executive, NGO’s and the Tourism and Environment Forum. It is in the early stages of deciding what needs to be done to tackle issues involving the coastline of Scotland.

Keep Scotland Beautiful, in partnership with the Tidy Britain Group, co-ordinate the Blue Flag and Seaside Beach Awards in Scotland and are also involved in the Clean Coasts for Scotland Initiative.

Positive Action: For more information on any of these schemes, contact Julie McKinney at Keep Scotland Beautiful on 01786 471 333.

Climate change levy

Will you be an April 2001 Fool?
Hoteliers, are you ready for this? Believe me! This is not an April Fool’s warning. This is for real!

April the 1st 2001, is the date on which the Climate Change Levy (CCL) will begin to bite. So, if you haven’t done it yet, may I suggest you begin to assess what this new tax will do to your energy costs and budget for the increases.

Who will it affect?
Increased annual energy costs for the major players will be counted in millions. The large hotel chains will have to sell many more meals and bedrooms to pay the tax. But what about the small fellows? The 10, 20, or 30 bed-roomed hotels? What will it do to them? The simple answer is that, pro rata, the tax will have the same effect on them as it has on everyone else, - Increased energy costs! The levy applies to all non-domestic sectors and will vary according to the type of energy used. God help the all-electric kitchens!

15% Extra Costs
A small chain, with an annual energy bill of around 2 million pounds, has estimated that their bill is likely to increase by some £ 250,000 and a rule-of-thumb indication seems to be an average increase of 15%.

Electricity will be hardest hit. However, if your power comes from ‘new’ renewable energy sources, in other words, not large-scale hydroelectric schemes, or generated by ‘good quality’ CHP (Combined Heat and Power) it will be exempt from the levy.

Gas, Coal and LPG are hit to a lesser extent and there is no levy on oil, which is already subject to excise duty.

WHAT Can You Get Back ?
Thankfully, it’s not all bad news. The Government will give you back some of this tax through Employers National Insurance Contributions, (NIC’s) and investment in energy efficiency measures, renewables and an Enhanced
Capital Allowances Scheme (ECA’s)

Positive Action: Register Now For Hospitable Climates!
Can you minimise the effect of this new burden? Of course, you can! If you have not already done so, now is the time to register for Hospitable Climates, HCIMA’s free service to their members and all who visit their Web Site: http://hcima.org.uk

By registering your business, you will gain access to free information, telling you how to set about reducing energy consumption in your operation. We firmly believe that, in the UK, we can reduce consumption in our industry by as much as 20%, with very little and, in some cases, no capital expenditure at all. Sounds like a good target to set and go for - saving enough energy to nullify the effect of the Climate Change Levy.
We will also be able to tell you, very confidentially, how your energy consumption compares to similar businesses in your sector. So you will be able to judge for yourself, how competitive your business is as well as your potential to save energy and cost.

Cairngorms National Park? Getting down to the details

The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 set out the basis for all future National Parks in Scotland and on 19 September the Minister, Sarah Boyack made a proposal under the new Act for a National Park in the Cairngorms.

In December 2000 Scottish Natural Heritage, having been appointed in an official role as the Reporter, launched a major consultation exercise to gather the views of everyone who has an interest in the proposed Cairngorms National Park. There is much to be decided about the size of the Park, the powers and functions of the Park Authority and the membership of the Board

Key issues up for consultation include:

• how big and where should the National Park be?
• what powers should the National Park Authority have?
• who should be members of the Authority?
• what should the name of the National Park be?

Opportunities and Implications for tourism
The designation of a National Park offers new possibilities for tackling the challenges ahead, protecting the qualities that make the area so special and assisting local communities to develop in socially and environmentally sustainable ways. National Park’s won’t solve everyone’s problems but SNH considers they will offer many opportunities for longer term commitment to integrated management, new resources, greater local involvement, better provision for visitors, higher more consistent design standards and stronger identity for the marketing of the area and its products. They will also offer support for land managers, offer a forum to tackle local issues and demonstrate good practice of conservation and sustainable development.

The consultation exercise
All those individuals and organisations in Scotland with an interest in the Cairngorms National Park have an opportunity to make their views known before 13 April 2001. The consultation is a national exercise but special efforts are being made in and around the Cairngorms area to get the views of people who live and work in the area through a series of local discussions and meetings organised in partnership with Community Councils and others.

Positive Action: The deadline for your views is 13th April 2001. To find out more and obtain a copy of the consultation documents contact:
Eleanor MacGregor, Mark Wrightham or Murray Ferguson at:
Scottish Natural Heritage, 17 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen, AB10 1XE
Telephone: 01224 642863
Fax: 01224 643347
Email: cairngorms.reporter@snh.gov.uk
Web-sites:

• Scottish Natural Heritage www.snh.org.uk  
• Cairngorms Partnership www.cairngorms.co.uk  
• On-line conference about National Parks in Scotland www.think-net.org
• National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 www.scotland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk

For many years now, Scottish Natural Heritage’s North Highland Area has been actively supporting a number of local tourism initiatives, one of which can be seen at Lybster Harbour in Caithness.

This picturesque harbour, set in a small steep sided inlet on the east Caithness coast, had a number of semi-derelict buildings which have recently been transformed by The Lybster Heritage Trust into a multi-purpose visitor centre with a "Waterlines" theme. "Waterlines" highlights both the history of the fishing harbour and the adjacent marine and coastal habitats. Colourful interpretative displays are supplemented by models, ‘hands on’ exhibits and closed circuit TV cameras so visitors can view seabirds nesting on the nearby cliffs.

Other facilities at the harbour include a coffee shop with views out across the Moray Firth, picnic tables and shower/laundry facilities for visiting yachts. Cliff top footpaths are also there for the more energetic and the Heritage Trust have many more plans to improve and build on the excellent tourism facilities of the area.

The Lybster Harbour Visitor Centre will open for its first full season at Easter and it will then be open 7 days a week right through to the end of September.

A big step forward: The access debate continues

The access debate is expected to enter a new phase with the publication of the draft Land Reform Bill and the draft Scottish Outdoor Access Code in February and the subsequent public consultation.

Modernising the legal framework for access to the countryside will be very important for the future of tourism in Scotland. It will underpin the provision of more and better facilities, such as paths; provide for the better management of access; and support the marketing and promotion of access. This will help to encourage more people to visit Scotland for walking, cycling and other recreational activities, and to return in future years.

The main proposal is for a right of access to land and inland water, exercised responsibly, for informal recreation and passage. Crucially, this right is one part of a much wider package that includes responsibilities on users, land managers and public bodies; a major programme of information, promotion and education; the better management of access; and more funding for access. A new Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which explains what is meant by responsible behaviour, has been drafted. This package has been endorsed by the Access Forum which includes recreational and land managing interests, as well as public bodies such as visit Scotland.

The consultation period will last for 12 weeks. A revised Bill will then be laid before the Scottish Parliament in the autumn and the legislative process will probably run through to spring 2002. This Bill has obvious implications for tourism in Scotland, and in particular green tourism. Therefore it is important for tourism businesses to respond positively to the draft Bill and Code during the consultation process.

Positive Action: for more information contact Richard Davison at Scottish Natural Heritage on RICHARD.DAVISON@snh.gov.uk or 0131- 447-4784.

GTBS clocks up the awards

Tourism and the Environment Forum proudly received another award this month for its work on the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). The Business Commitment to the Environment award joins an increasing list of awards demonstrating how the Forum continues to strive for best practice.

The Green Tourism Business Scheme was described as ‘one of the most innovative and effective of the various accreditation schemes for the tourist industry in the world’ - an accolade in itself.

BCE is the UK’s premier business environment award scheme as well as one of the oldest, dating back to 1975. The award was presented to Project Manager, Sandy Dear, by BCE Chairman Anthony Cleaver on behalf of the Forum at an award ceremony in London.

Wild Caithness

No, not a reference to the weather, but a slogan for the Caithness Wildlife Tourism Project which has been running over the last 2 years.

For many, Caithness is just a quick dash to John O’Groats or somewhere to pass through on the way to Orkney. Few realise that the sea cliffs, birds, peatlands and wildlife of this remote county offer great opportunities and certainly warrant a day or two of exploring.

A Hidden Treasure
With this in mind, Caithness provided an excellent venue for a pilot tourism project - a first for Scotland - seeking to link the management, marketing and promotion of the area's outstanding wildlife tourism resources.

Raising people’s awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the wildlife have been key to the project. With improved access, better information and a co-ordinated approach to promotion and marketing, it is hoped to maximise the opportunities to see wildlife in the area in a way that brings economic advantage to local communities and businesses but without damaging the wildlife itself.

The project has been looking at several important areas: it is seeking to improve physical infrastructure and information available at some key sites; developing a web presence that will focus on wildlife tourism in Caithness; and looking at the links between operators and accommodation providers. The overall aim being to encourage people to take an interest in and explore the Caithness area, providing other opportunities to contribute to the local economy.

Sharing experiences and building bridges
The project brings local agencies and individuals within the industry together presenting a ‘joined-up’ approach to delivering a ‘product’ that meets visitor expectations in the future.

This was particularly effective at a one-day conference for operators and other interested people in February 2000. Attended by over 90 delegates from all over the Highlands, the event looked at the issues surrounding wildlife tourism in Caithness as well as providing opportunities for people to share advice and enthusiasm on the topic.

Building on the success of the conference, North Highland TIC staff were taken on a day-trip where they experienced firsthand the wildlife opportunities in the area. Many were not aware of the wonderful resources on their doorstep.

More long-term, we are working with the local college to provide training opportunities for local people to learn more about promoting and understanding the wildlife living on the edges of their communities. Training will also be provided to tourism businesses about understanding their customers, ensuring that customer needs are met.

Optimistic Future
It is early days, but it is clear that making links between the industry, the visitor and the natural resources are essential if visitors are to feel welcome on arrival, make the most of their stays and choose Caithness as a place to return to.

It is hoped that through this project we will be better able to carry out similar work elsewhere in Scotland and work towards making wildlife or nature-based tourism a better delivered, accessible and integrated experience. It is the belief of many involved that Scotland can provide the ultimate North Atlantic wildlife tourism experience through the tourism industry and agencies working together to ensure we deliver the sustainable industry our visitors expect. We’re optimistic about the future.

The Project has been co-ordinated by SNH and the Tourism &Environment Initiative, but critical to its success has been the active involvement of CASE, HOST, RSPB, Highland Council, and North Highland College.

Positive Action: If you want to get involved with the Caithness project or simply to find out more about how wildlife tourism could be developed in your area, contact Bill Taylor, Tourism Officer SNH, 01463 712 221

Forthcoming Events

"Wilderness Britain? Society, Policy and the Environment" - 26-28 March 2001
Aims to bring people together with a common interest in wilderness, and the wilder areas of Britain.
To be held at the University of Leeds on 26-28 March, 2001
More information: http://www.geog.leeds.ac.uk/conferences/wildbritain or via School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT

Sustainable Tourism Conference - 10 April, 2001
Hosted by Tourism and Environment Forum, SEPA, Perth and Kinross Council and SEA at the Dewar Centre, Perth. This conference is aimed at local tourism businesses and looks at practical ways in which they can reduce waste, save energy and save money too.
More information from Andrea Nichols, Shetlands Environment Agency telephone 01738 632162 or email sea@green-business.com

Orkney Environment Day - 5th June, 2001
Organised by Orkney Environment Partnership, this event which is timed to coincide with the International Environment Week will raise the profile of a full range of local, national and international environmental issue, of which Green Tourism is a key component. Based at the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall the programme for the day will include a full range of displays, activities, talks, films and debate across 12 environmental themes. Targeted at schools, industry and at the local community.
For further information on the event contact Orkney Tourist Board on 01856 872 001.

World Oceans Day - 8-10 June 2001
International Festival held every year to raise awareness of the world’s oceans. Moray Firth Wildlife Centre are co-ordinating a three day event, the largest festival of its kind in the North of Scotland.
Event activities include exhibitions and environmental displays/ stalls, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Roadshow, including 100 foot long inflatable Blue Whale(!) coastal cruises, puppet theatre "A Dolphins Tail", lectures and guided walks by Coastal Ranger Service and British Divers Marine Life Rescue Workshops and strandings demonstrations.
More Information from The Moray Firth Wildlife Centre on 01434 820 339 or their website www.mfwc.co.uk

Seminar on Beach Awards and Monitoring - June 2001
The Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board are organising a best practice seminar on beach awards and monitoring on behalf of the Moray Firth Partnership in June. KSB will be taking part in this seminar.
If you would like more details, please phone Lynn Cameron from HOST on 01997 423 007.

"New Directions in Managing Rural Tourism and Leisure: Local Impacts, Global Trends" - 5-8 September, 2001
This international conference is aimed at practitioners, academics, agencies and governments and is to be held at the Scottish Agricultural College, Auchnicruve in Ayr on 5-8 September, 2001. Key themes for discussion will include sustainable rural development, networks and partnerships, access and interpretation, policy and strategy formulation and impact management.
More information: http://www.sac.ac.uk or by contacting Fiona Carswell on 01292 525 027/056

The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Tourism Training Programme.
Designed especially for tourism operators in and around the area proposed as Scotland’s first National Park, Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs Tourist Board (AILLST) and Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley (SEFV) have put together a series of tourism seminars which aim to help prepare businesses for National Park’s designation in 2002. The programme includes courses on management training, customer are, marketing and local area product knowledge.
More information: Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs Tourist Board, Old Town Jail, St John Street, Stirling FK8 1EA or phone 01786 445 222.