Archived Sustainable Tourism E-newsTEF E-News - Issue 9 - October 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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TEF FEATURES IN NEW HOSPITABLE CLIMATES NEWSLETTER
Sandy Dear, Manager of the Tourism & Environment Forum, has written a guest column for the newest edition of Hospitable Climates newsletter (Issue 21). In his article, Sandy highlights the need for a reduction in consumption of water, waste and other products by the tourism sector to safeguard the quality of Scotland's magnificent landscapes and seascapes on which the industry is dependent. Hospitable Climates can help businesses improve their consumption of energy, saving money and reducing their impact on the environment in the process. For more information: VISITORS WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
A recent survey carried out in Devon has highlighted some interesting findings for Scottish businesses interested in responsible tourism. The survey, carried out by Devon County Council, polled over 400 visitors along with 100 local businesses. It revealed that the majority (82%) of visitors were willing to pay more for environmentally responsible products. Over half considered environmental issues when booking their holiday whilst nearly all the visitors polled classified themselves as someone who cares about protecting the natural environment. The survey results highlighted the links between environmental responsibility and quality of service, in the visitors' eyes at least, with 72% believing that an environmentally aware business is more likely to be quality conscious. The results suggest that it makes good business sense to 'go green'. For more information: SCOTTISH SMALL BUSINESSES MOST LIKELY TO TAKE ACTION Scottish small businesses are aware that their activities could be harmful to the environment and are the most likely to take action to reduce their environmental impact, when compared to the UK average. That's the finding of newly published survey, SME-nvironment 2005, undertaken for small business website NetRegs www.netregs.gov.uk. However, the survey also highlights the surprising result that only 7% of Scottish businesses thought that their activities could harm the environment! The results showed that there was a low level of legislative awareness, and this is where the NetRegs website can help. NetRegs has been designed specifically to help small businesses understand their environmental responsibilities, detailing ways to reduce their environmental impact and improve their profit margins at the same time. For more information: TOURISM FOR TOMORROW
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling for applications for it's 'Tourism for Tomorrow Awards' 2006. With the deadline for entries (12th December) fast approaching, applications from all sectors involved in travel and tourism are called for. The Awards recognise and promote best practice in sustainable tourism development around the world. 'Tourism for Tomorrow' is founded on the policies laid out in WTTC's Blueprint for New Tourism, which provides a framework to ensure that tourism works for everyone in the future. It promotes travel and tourism as a partnership, delivering consistent results that match the needs of economies, local and regional authorities and local communities with those of business. For more information: MAKING THE MOST OF THE NORTH SEA TRAIL As part of the 'Nortrail' project, East Lothian Council is holding a business seminar on 27th October at the Goldenstones Hotel (Dunbar). The seminar aims to encourage links with local businesses and the project. The 'Nortrail' project promotes business development and tourism through developing a path network around the unique natural and cultural heritage of the North Sea area. The network will create opportunities for sustainable economic development related to cultural and environmental tourism, outdoor activities and education. All businesses are invited to attend this free event which is sure to be extremely informative and beneficial for all. Lunch will be provided. For more information:
LOCAL FOOD TRAIL WINS FOOD TOURISM AWARD The first ever Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards were bestowed at an evening ceremony on 7th October. Among those celebrated were local businesses which actively protect the environment during the production or distribution of their product and those whose produce or service enhances the visitor experience and raises the food tourism profile of the area. Winner of the Food Tourism award was the Outer Hebrides Speciality Food Trail, consisting of 23 speciality food producers working together to market the trail of local food and drink. A number of producers are situated in rural locations, and the trail encourages tourists to visit areas of the islands that are off the beaten track. This in turn benefits other businesses along the way. For more information: FORESTERS HIT THE RIGHT TRACK FOR 'GREEN' TRANSPORT AWARD The Forestry Commission has been applauded by the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, for its role in helping to develop the National Cycle Network. The award was one of a series made by Sustrans to honour the people and organisations who made exceptional contributions to its first 10 years' work and completion of the first 10,000 miles of the National Cycle Network. The Forestry Commission won an award in the 'People - Supportive Landowners' category for providing "many crucial links as well as whole networks of local cycling routes" over national forest land. For more information: VIEWS SOUGHT ON SCOTLAND'S NEWEST NNR Corrie Fee in Angus, which was declared Scotland’s newest National Nature Reserve (NNR) on 29 August, is now creating a management plan for the future. The Reserve's owners, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), are opening up the plan for consultation until 23rd December to anyone interested in the future management of the reserve. To help people pass on their comments, SNH has produced a document containing reserve proposals which gives their vision for the NNR in 2025 and outlines how they propose to achieve this. Before reading the proposals SNH suggests reading the story of the reserve to understand it’s history and why it is special. For more information:
FALLS OF CLYDE VISITOR CENTRE RE-OPENS Scottish Wildlife Trust's (SWT) Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre re-opened to the public on Monday 10th October following the completion of major refurbishment work costing a total of £500,000. The refurbishment consists of new interpretation, focusing on the key species found on the reserve, with a complete aural experience to be had in the 'Bat Booth', live CCTV links give a birds-eye view of the nesting peregrine falcons and the famous Corra Linn waterfall. Careful consideration was given to the listed status of the building whilst keeping the requirements of visitors a priority. As well as exciting new features in the visitor centre, paths improvements have also been introduced on the reserve. For more information: 'TOP 5' NEWS STORIES What are the top 5 news stories on the Green Tourism website? DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 'Slow Food - The Future', 26th October, Edinburgh 'Sustainability - Creating the Culture', 2nd - 4th November, Aberdeen 'Europe's Wilderness Days 2005: Pan Parks Foundation', 3rd - 4th November, Edinburgh 'EDAS Annual Conference: Smart, Sustainable Scotland', 4th November, Edinburgh 'Green in the Park: Attracting Business, Saving Money, Protecting the Environment', 7th November, Loch Lomond 'Making Tracks Conference', 16th November, Peebles 'Scotland United', 20th - 21st November, St Andrews For more 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! |
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Contact Us
Sustainable Tourism Unit, VisitScotland,
Thistle House,
Beechwood Park North,
Inverness, IV2 3ED.
enquiries@greentourism.org.uk