GREEN TOURISM

BUSINESS SCHEME

Andrea Nicholas

Director Green Business UK LtdManager Green Tourism Business Scheme

What is Sustainable Tourism?What is Sustainable Tourism?

one planet living

United States - 5

UK - 3

Fair Share – 1

www.wwf.org.uk

Environmental & Social Issues

Climate change• Sea level rise / melting ice caps• Reversal of gulf stream• Affects on nature / biodiversity• Weather patterns – Drought, Flooding, erratic

Population pressures (7 Billion pop – 31st Oct 2011)

• Resource use / peak oil / fuel costs• Food scarcity / fuel crops• Poverty • War

Cairngorm Ski Resort

Case Study Scotland

Summer activities

Bird watching

Exhibitions

Guided Walks

Shopping

Restaurant

Ceilidh Nights

Children’s activities

Camera Obscura

Mountain Experience

Two Websites

Summer & Winter

Government Policy

Climate Change Act

Reduction of emissions(Compared to 1990 baseline)

• 34% by 2020• 80% by 2050 Taxation / Legislation

• Landfill Tax• Food waste / organic• WEEE• CRC

The Key Challenges are:

• To reduce the environmental and social impact of tourism

• In a way that encourages and engages – not negative and guilt-ridden

• To help businesses and their visitors help the planet (and feel good)

Lao Spirit Eco ResortLaos

• Creating jobs keeps the people away from cutting trees (deforestation)

• Protects the old lao-french colonial houses

• Bungalows built in traditional style by local craftsmen and artists

• Maintain a good relationship with the nearby village of Xieng Lom.

Treasure Island ResortFiji

• Team responsible for implementation of environmental and social sustainable measures

• Products and services sourced locally wherever possible

• Employ local Fijian staff in most areas of the company

• Ongoing wildlife projects with visitors and communities

GrecotelGreece

• Over 4,000 employees makes Grecotel the largest employer in Greek tourism sector

• Co-operates with local farmers on Crete to ensure a supply of locally and ecologically produced food

• Opened the Agricultural Park 2001 to public visitors – trains local farmers and promotes local agricultural products

Serena HotelsAfrica / Asia

• All construction used local materials & labour; building designed to blend with its natural settings

• Guests invited to plant a tree at the Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge to aid reforestation

• Increases employment and manpower development

• Promotes awareness of the environment and improves appreciation of cultural traditions

What is the GTBS?

“Quality in the Environment”

“Tourism businesses working towards exceeding customer expectations in a responsible manner”

What is the GTBS?

• Sustainable Tourism grading programme covering all types of tourism business – operating for 14 years

• Owned & developed by Directors - Jon Proctor & Andrea Nicholas

• Operated by private, not-for-profit company – Green Business not funded by Government / agencies – self-financed through membership fees

• Over 2400 current members, over 7000 grading visits & criteria in 4th edition

• Only green certification programme operating throughout all UK & Ireland and promoted by UK and Irish National Tourism Agencies

• Validated by International Centre for Responsible Tourism since 2008 – reassessment December 2011

• Recognised internationally as one of leading labels in the world

• 1997

• 00 - 06 10+ English pilot projects – Devon, East England, North West, Broads, New Forest, North East, Cumbria

• 2007

• 2008 GTBS validated by International Centre for Responsible Tourism – VisitEngland

• 2007 3 yr project with LDA to Green London for the Games

• 2009Pilot Brecon Beacons / Powys - endorsed by VisitWales - Welsh Translation

• 2010 GTBS pilot in British Columbia – Canadian criteria

• 2011 - 15 Development of Sustainable Tourism & Quality product in West Sweden

• 2012 / 14Greening the Games – Olympics 2012

Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014

• 2010 Project in South Kerry – Rollout in Ireland

Assessment

• On-site assessment by appointment

• Advice and recommendations on the Signifcant Impacts of business, customers, staff, suppliers, community

• Identify cost savings / marketing opportunities

Assessors Training / Standards

• Environmental degree & registered auditors with IEMA

• 4 month training – ongoing mentoring + training 3x/yr

• Gain regional / destination specific knowledge

• 7 Full-time assessors to cover 1400+ visits / year

Scotland 840

South West 440

South East 167

North West 183

North East 119

West Midlands 77

East England 100

East Midlands 56

Yorkshire 112

London 149

Wales 90

Jersey 12

Northern Ireland 15

Ireland 72

Canada 25

Total 2472

Membership

• 563 Self-catering

• 279 Bed & Breakfast / Guest Houses

• 715 Hotels

• 383 Visitor Attractions / Museums (x 42) / Castles / Gardens

• 140 Tourist Information Centres / Corporate Offices

• 94 Activity Providers / Tour Operators / Ranches / Ski Lodge

• 55 Conference Centres / Events Venues

• 193 Holiday Parks / Camping / Hostels / Campus Accommodation

• 50 Restaurants / Pubs / Cafes / Inns / Motels / Caterers

Groups

Why Business Join

• 84% for marketing advantage* (10% higher occupancy)

• 80% have reduced running costs* (average 20%)

• 74% to improve quality of experience*

• 71% for satisfaction of guests and staff*

• 58% of visitors would choose a green graded business**

* VisitEngland GTBS members survey March 2009 (300 businesses)** VisitEngland Visitor survey 2010 (2000+ respondents)

www.greentraveller.co.uk

• 40,000 unique visitors a month • 3,000 followers on twitter

• Discount for GTBS members for listing and review

SUSTRANS• All GTBS sites listed on online maps

• Online trip planner

• App for all mobile devices

Green Searches

Expedia

• Online booking site• Green search for Hotels

Corporate Travel Booking Sites

Booking Services International – BSI

• Joining x 5 UK offices• Training with key account sales teams

Inntel

• Training with key account sales teams

YouTube: GreentourismGTBSTwitter : The_GTBSFaceBook : Green Tourism

Green Searches for GTBS on websites

• Visit Britain’s UK & 40+ foreign language sites

• Visit Scotland, Visit England, Visit Wales, NITB and Failte Ireland

• UK Destination Management Organisations e.g. Go Lakes, Broads, Cairngorms

• Booking Services International (BSI)

• Sabre Holdings sites including Travelocity

• Online Trip Planner & Mobile Device App - TripSketch

• Expedia

• Inntel

• ICE (Green Loyalty Card) 

MARKETING / PROMOTIONMARKETING / PROMOTION

www.green-business.co.uk

Free Listing on website

25,000 individual sessions / month

Top listing on Google for Green Tourism

Members Area

Suppliers Offers

Newsletters

• Full environmental audit of business

• Bespoke advice on cost savings appropriate to business (on average 20%)

• Action plan, recommendations, advice and support on measures to implement

• Promotion and marketing through GTBS – PR & Press campaigns

• Membership of GTBS and all on-going benefits & support

• Monthly Technical Newsletter

• Members area with 60+ technical factsheets

• Technical advice / helpline / support

BENEFITSBENEFITS

• 20+ Suppliers Discounts – e.g.

Delphis eco chemicals 30% Nordic eco shower 30%Ecover 20% Gilchrist and Soames 15%Rapanui ethical clothing 10% NET LED lighting 10%

 

• Appointments for grading visit offered 6-7 wks notice

• Grading visit ~ Report within 4 weeks / GOLD committee

• Revisit once every 2 yrs – continual improvement

Membership ProcessMembership Process

• Contact GTBS for membership pack (no obligation or cost)gtbs@green-business.co.uk

• Complete and return application form

• Membership fee (£100 - £700 / year)

• Receive awaiting grading logo, members area & newsletters

MEMBERSHIP FEES

• Joining Fee (one-off) £70.80

• Annual Fees Free Entry to Museum - number of full-time employees Entry Fee – number of visitors / café / shop

•VA 1-5 FTE £108.36•VA 6-10 FTE £176.09

•VA < 20,000 no café / shop £122.42•VA 20-50,000 café / shop £270.90

Warwickshire Museums Project

Free Joining Fee (£70.80)

Available for any business joining before 31st March 2012

Description: Lead Mining Museum

Main Achievements

Water: Composting toilets

Energy: LED lights, condensing boiler, green energy tariff

Nature: Red squirrel protection, ecology backpacks

Cultural: Helping rural young people's access to cultural activities

Social: Free visits for underprivileged children, family wildlife events

Traditions: Crafts, music, artists, education on lives of miners

Description: 2-Room B&B

Main Achievements

Walkers & Cyclists Welcome

Transport: Public transport links on web and offer pick ups

Website: Environmental section on actions & GTBS promotion

Food: All local food breakfast

Wildlife: Strong focus on local and on-site

Champion: Green training sessions, working with local tourism association

Thistle Award Finalist

Description: Adventure Travel Company

Main Achievements

Nature: Education of guests, leave no trace

Travel: Guests use public transport

Energy: Good monitoring of fuel consumption

Champion: Green business network

Marketing: Green Tourism central to strategy

Won other awards e.g. Responsible Travel Award

Description: Youth Hostel on Isle of Arran

Main Achievements

Water: Rainwater harvesting to flush toilets

Energy: Ground source heat pump,

Nature: Sponsor Arran Wildlife Festival, good local knowledge

Cycling: Bike hire available, maps and drying room

Social: Promote Island produce, cheese, beers, crafts

Refurbishment: Energy measures installed allowed winter opening

Lochranza Youth Hostel

Description: Rural Self-catering

Main Achievements

Food: Local produce info on website

Water: Rainwater harvesting system

Energy: Solar water heating & low energy lighting

Tradition: Sensitive renovation, reuse of local / original materials

Guests info: Good interpretation for guests on green measures

Finalists in Environment Agency Water “Save” Awards 2009

Old Rectory BarnOld Rectory BarnBrecon Beacons National Park

Description: 19 Rooms B&B

Main Achievements

Local Food: Breakfast is local & organic

Community: Co-ordinate local food festival

Cleaning: Use soap nuts to wash sheets

Compost: Supply water in biodegradable corn starch bottles

Social: support local hospice

Central to marketing of business

Description: Holiday Park

Main Achievements

Water: Timers on showers

Energy: Motion sensors for lighting

Nature: Boxes and feeders, children’s wildlife quiz

Waste: Organic waste collected and composted

Social: High % of fair trade and ethical produce in shop

Local: Promote Cornish products, crafts, beers

Description: Nature Based Visitor Attraction

Main Achievements

Policy: Strong commitment to environment

Staff: Staff members aware and proactive

Waste: Recycling points

Crafts: Ethical & fair trade produced clothing

Wildlife: llama walks around site, interpretation boards

Cafe: Local food, natural, no ‘E’ numbers, don’t sell Coke / Pepsi

What our Members Say

“Through green awareness based upon the GTBS we have reduced our energy spend by £3 million per annum across 38 properties since 2007 ” Ramada Jarvis Hotels

“Operating costs across the business are much reduced since we began on our green journey and, in 2010 alone, we saved £18,000 on our heating bill Battlesteads Hotel, Northumberland

 “Since 2007, over £260,000 of business has been secured as a result of our green credentials” Maximillion Events: Edinburgh

25% of bookings are guests coming specifically because we are a green business’ Banceithin Farm & Holiday Cottages, Wales 

‘The highly detailed GTBS Audit gives us a comprehensive structure with which to measure and monitor our environmental performance, and that in turn helps us identify areas where we can reduce costs. GTBS Inspectors and staff are helpful, supportive and a useful source for advice and information’Carolyne Charrington, Treshnish & Haunn, Isle of Mull 

 

“They encourage their clients to think ‘green’ and instil the green ethos in all new staff ” VistScotland was a customer of Maximillion Events

 ‘We enjoyed our stay at Haunn very much and found your commitment to the environment inspirational.’ D and T from Wales @ Tresnish & Haunn Cottages, Mull

 “They re-connect their visitors between their place and products and the beautiful Brecks environment their visitors see around them ” Mr & Mrs Macrae @ Strattons Hotel, Norfolk

 “There was no compromise to comfort – in fact the green aspects only enhanced our stay” Mrs Jenkins @ Alexander House, Perthshire

They believe in the application of green issues as adding value to the experiences enjoyed by their customers’ Mr Nicoll @ Battlesteads Hotel

 Encouraging us to hang up our car keys for the whole weekend and use alternative transport in exchange for a discount on our accommodation fees was inspired’ Guests @ Cote How Guest House, Cumbria 

  

What Their Guests say…

10 sections 100+ measures

CriteriaCriteria

CompulsoryInnovation

Eight Technical Sections

Minimum 3/4/5 in each section to achieve Bronze/Silver/Gold

Re-grading visit once every two years – continual improvement

Version IV Criteria

ScoringScoring

Version IV Criteria

Measures scored (~ 3, 4, 5 per technical section) 60

Points for each measures based on performance0 - 5

Maximum points = 100%300

BRONZE = 120 – 194 points>40%

SILVER = 195 – 239 points>65%

GOLD = 240 – 300 points>80%

                

1. Compulsory1. Compulsory

Legal compliance

Minimising risks

Annual consumption

Environmental Policy

2. Management2. Management

Green management / evidence fileGreen management / evidence file

Specialist Advice / Staff Awareness / Resource Monitoring

Monitoring Natural / Built Heritage

Visitor Feedback / green events☺

£

“understanding how we affect the environment is key to reducing our environmental impact ”

3. Communication3. Communication

Responsible visitors charterResponsible visitors charter

Environmental education / towel policy

Networking / GTBS promotion

Community projects / green lifestyle information☺£

4. Energy4. Energy

Low energy light bulbsLow energy light bulbs

A rated appliances / good seals on refrigeration

LED light bulbs / timers / sensors

Loft insulation / zone controls / high efficiency boiler

Tank and pipe lagging / temperature controls

Renewable energy

“Simple steps can save energy and money immediately”

£

Refrigeration & FreezingRefrigeration & Freezing

Maintenance is VITAL

• Defrost Regularly

• Check door seals

• Shut the door

• Install curtains in walk-in units

• Position appropriately

5. Water 5. Water

Low flush toiletsLow flush toilets

Waterless urinals

Aerator Taps / percussion taps / washroom controls

Water reuse / water butts

Fuel storage / eco-cleaners

£

“In the UK every person uses an average of 150 l of water per day. ”

                

Reducing Toilet FlushReducing Toilet Flush

10 toilets with 12 litre cistern flushed 4x per day for 365 days

12l Uses 175200l Costs £154

10l Used 146000l Costs £143

saves 29200l Saving £11 – Cost £0

(Dual Flush could save more <6l)

“Save-a-Flush”

“We can all influence others by choosing where we spend our money”

6. Purchasing6. Purchasing

Paper products in housekeepingPaper products in housekeeping

Regional / local food & drinks

Organic food / sustainable products / recycled paper

Fair Trade products / Rainforest Alliance

Slow food / local meat / fish / veg / fruit

☺£

Recycled Paper ProductsRecycled Paper Products

                

Recycled Plastic Recycled Plastic ProductsProducts

7. Waste7. Waste

Hazardous waste disposalHazardous waste disposal

Bulk buying / dispensers / dosing systems

Paper / bottles / cans / cardboard / plastic etc.

Printer cartridges / furniture / PCs to charity / schools

Composting

☺

8. Travel8. Travel

Marketing material has info on public transportMarketing material has info on public transport

Public transport promotion / car free days

Walking / Cycling information

Staff travel / use of alternative fuel cars

Health benefits for staff & guests / offsetting emissions☺

“Only 12 per cent of all journeys are made by public transport in comparison to 85 per cent made by cars, vans and taxis.”

9. Natural & Cultural Heritage9. Natural & Cultural Heritage

Wildlife or Cultural based organisation

Local and on-site flora & fauna / natural heritage

Cultural events / festivals

Wildlife area

☺

Thank YouAndrea Nicholas

01738 632162andrea@green-business.co.uk