Green Tourism Certification Programme Overview April 2014 GTBS

1. People, Places, Planet
GREEN TOURISM

2. People, Places, Planet
• Business Development & Grading Programme
• SME’s (<250 employees) - Accommodation, Tour Operators,
Activity Providers, Restaurants, Cafés, Information Centres, Offices
• Private, not-for-profit company
• Funded through membership fees, project work and international
consultancy
• Operating since 1997
• Graded over 5000 business, 10,000 assessments
• Current membership nearly 2500
• The World’s most credible* Sustainable Tourism Programme
• Only National Sustainable Tourism programme validated by
International Centre for Responsible Tourism
*Tourism and Greenwash Report produced by Totem Tourism June 2013
What is Green Tourism?

3. People, Places, Planet
• 2010 Project in South Kerry, Members in
Republic of Ireland
International Expert Advice
• 2007 - 2010
Advised Qualmark in New Zealand on
development of Enviro-Mark
• 2011 - 15 Sweden Welcome Programme
Criteria Development, Assessor Training
• 2013 Green Tourism Canada
45+ Members

4. People, Places, Planet
Membership
• 463 Self-catering
• 279 Bed & Breakfast / Guest Houses
• 830 Hotels
• 383 Visitor Attractions
• 140 Tourist Information Centres
• 94 Activity Providers
• 55 Conference Centres / Events Venues
• 193 Holiday Parks / Camping / Hostels
• 50 Restaurants / Cafes / Inns

5. People, Places, Planet
Corporate Business & Green Tourism
800+ Hotels with 100,000+ bedrooms
65 stand-alone Conference & Events Venues

6. People, Places, Planet
Motivation
• 95% Improved Quality for guests
• 93% Enhanced image / marketing advantage
• 91% Independent certification
• 89% Cost savings
• 85% To gain advice from Assessors
Satisfaction Levels
• 90% Knowledge of Assessors
• 86% Overall
• 84% Usefulness of materials / information
• 83% Friendliness of Green Tourism staff
Customer Interest
• 73% All or most guests are aware of Green Grading
• 32% Receive comments about Green Grading
• 1% Of comments are negative
Figures based on feedback from 109 Hotels that completed the Green Tourism Membership Survey March 2014
Membership Survey - Hotels

7. People, Places, Planet
Carbon Reduction / Annual Performance Information
kWh / m2 / yr
Green Tourism 2010 2011 % Reduction CIBSE Good
Hotels 354.66 277.66 21.7% < 310
Guest House 249.43 219.16 12.1% < 240
B&B 141.22 121.73 13.8% < 240
Other direct results of Green Tourism Grading
• 80% have improved resource efficiency and made savings
• 65% have formal Environmental Policies
• 60% are now conducting measures to help wildlife
• 50%+ now monitor their energy, water, waste regularly
• 50% have improved staff training on environmental issues
• 40% have reduced water use
Results

8. People, Places, Planet
• Bespoke on site assessment and advice once every two years - 20% cost
savings in first year
• Monthly technical newsletter, ongoing advice / support through Members
Area on website
• Full listing on Green Tourism website & promotion on Social Media
• Marketing and promotion through national / regional agencies and online
booking companies
• Suppliers Discounts
• Annual Conference and other trade events
Benefits

9. People, Places, Planet
Website
Home Page Enhanced search

10. People, Places, Planet
Green Tourism Annual Conference 2013
Watch on www.green-tourism.com

11. People, Places, Planet
• It should be profitable for business
• It should not adversely affect the environment
• It should be acceptable to the community
• It should enhance the visitor experience
The Principles of Green Tourism

12. People, Places, Planet
Good practice in all areas
Improved efficiency, review of all activities undertaken or
influenced by the business & full legal compliance
Outstanding & exemplary best practice in all areas
Thorough and focused approach to sustainability and
providing a quality and enhanced experience for all
stakeholders
Excellent practice in all areas
Significant achievements to improve efficiency, purchase responsibly,
involve customers, contribute to local economy, culture and community
Three Levels

13. People, Places, Planet
10 sections 100+ measures
Criteria
Compulsory
Innovation
Eight Technical Sections
Minimum 3/4/5 in each section to
achieve Bronze/Silver/Gold
Score 60 measures
Re-grading visit once every two years –
continual improvement

14. People, Places, Planet
Technical Sections
Management
Communication & Social
Energy
Water
Purchasing
Waste
Travel
Natural & Cultural
Heritage

15. People, Places, Planet
Main Achievements:
 Green Team: Very committed team including passionate Green Champion
 Waste: Recycling of all main wastes including food
 Energy: LED light bulbs in most areas of hotels, heat recovery, upgraded BMS
 Water: EVAC system for toilets average flush 1–1.5 litres in 105 bedrooms
 Purchasing: Paraben free guest soaps & shampoos with biodegradable packaging
 Chemicals: Chlorine free pool with mineral based cleaning system
 Culture: Support numerous local theatre & arts projects
One Aldwych Hotel
Description: 105 Bedroom 5* London Hotel

16. People, Places, Planet
Main Achievements:
 Monitoring: ‘LightStay’ sustainability monitoring tool launched in 2010
 Waste: Food portion control, SOP sheets, food waste matrix
 Energy: Energy Management System and zone controls
 Nature: ‘Big Tree Country’, specific planting, grey squirrel traps
 Social: ‘Small Change: Big Difference’ charity collection
 Meetings: ‘LightStay’ Meeting Impact Calculator, offered to delegates
Hilton Dunkeld House
Description: Country Hotel

17. People, Places, Planet
Description: City Centre Hotel & Motel
Main Achievements
 Awareness: Established a green team
 Energy: Weather compensator and a heat plate exchanger
 Water: 100% dual flush toilets
 Purchasing: Green energy tariff - Fresh local produce delivered daily
 Social: Support Horizon West Children’s Hospice
 Community: Mentoring local students through the Career Academies scheme
 Ambassador: Encouraging local businesses to go green & join Green Tourism

18. People, Places, Planet
Main Achievements
 Energy: Solar hot water heating, LED bulbs
 Staff: Very committed green team
 Suppliers: Green policies checked
 Guests: Very good green information for guests
 Carbon: Carbon calculations per night / room
Innovation
 Profits from one dish on menu to charity
 Guests - voluntary donations to balance carbon
 Hybrid vehicle
Best Western Premier Yew lodge Hotel
Description: 101 bedrooms

19. People, Places, Planet
Main Achievements:
 Awareness: ‘Everyone Drive’, planned waste collection visits
 Waste: Food monitoring and collection
 Energy: Energy Management System and zone controls
 Purchasing: Cittaslow member, local food, healthy living award
 Social: Local Authority Voluntary Assoc. > £2000 raised 2013
 Nature: Working with Wildlife Trust - discount for local reserve
 Networking: Active member of ‘Perthshire Green Resorts’
Salutation Hotel
Description: City Centre Hotel

20. People, Places, Planet
To Contact Green Tourism
andrea@green-tourism.com
david@green-tourism.com
www.green-tourism.com
4 Atholl Place, Perth, PH1 4AJ
01738 632162
Thank You
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