News Article

Jan 30, 2012

Category: Carbon topics

The Green Tourism Business Scheme

by Laura Hobbs

Wherever you choose as a destination, aside from cutting down on emissions generated by travel the environmental impact of a holiday can be further lowered by choosing to visit and take part in accommodation, eating establishments and activities that operate in an environmentally friendly way. In the UK, such businesses can be identified by awards given to demonstrate their level of achievement in reducing negative effects on the environment.

The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK [1], validated by Visit Britain [2] through the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT). The ICRT is part of Leeds Metropolitan University and works to make places better for people to live in and visit [3]. The GTBS was originally developed in partnership with Visit Scotland, and is now the only scheme validated by Visit Britain [1] and the largest such scheme to operate globally [4]. It has been running since 1997 and now has over 2000 members in the UK and Ireland [5].

Tourism related businesses applying for membership of the scheme are assessed against a range of criteria [6] which demonstrate commitment to sustainability and minimising environmental damage, such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste management and recycling, biodiversity, use of local produce and promotion of public transport [1, 7]. If successful, they then receive a Going Green, Bronze, Silver or Gold award, depending on how they have been rated against up to 60 measures [6]. Case studies are listed on the website as examples of measures a wide range of businesses have taken to become more environmentally friendly, including energy saving, recycling, bike hire schemes and the use of an amphibious boat [8].

Member businesses can be searched for by business type, e.g. places to stay, places to visit, activity centres, conference venues, tour operators and others, or by destination. Destinations are grouped by areas within the British Isles (Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Wales and the Channel Islands), and further subdivided by region or county where necessary. Canada is also listed as a destination, as Green Tourism UK has now expanded to include a new division, Green Tourism Canada, which is initially certifying Green Tourism businesses in British Columbia, with future development planned in further Canadian provinces [9].

[1] http://www.green-business.co.uk/

[2] www.visitbritain.com

[3] www.icrtourism.org/

[4] http://www.visitlancashire.com/inspire-me/eco-escapes/green-tourism-business-scheme

[5] http://www.green-business.co.uk/GreenBusiness_AboutUs_History.asp

[6]http://www.green-business.co.uk/GreenBusiness_Criteria_Introduction.asp

[7]http://www.green-business.co.uk/GreenBusiness_MoreGreenBusinesses.asp

[8]http://www.green-business.co.uk/GreenBusiness_CaseStudy.asp

[9] http://www.green-business.co.uk/Canada/index.asp

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