GREEN TOURISM

BUSINESS SCHEME

Andrea Nicholas

Director Green Business UK LtdManager Green Tourism Business Scheme

Practical, flexible sensible, advice appropriate for type, size, location, building fabric, market, guests expectations

• A tap dripping 30 times a minute wastes 380 litres a month = 4560 litres a year

• A photocopier on ovenight = 5300 Copies put on a timer (<£10)

• Turn off TV’s on standby saving £10 / TV / yr

• Change cleaning techniques – e.g. Toilets

Why do businesses join?

Base = 278 respondents

“On a scale of 1 to 5, how important were the following in stimulating your initial interest in the GTBS scheme?”

Personal environmental concerns

Marketing advantage

Independent certification of performance

Improved quality for customers

Other benefits

Improved satisfaction for staff/owners

Financial Savings

Advice from GTBS assessors

Save Resources / Money

Energy savings of up to 20%, equivalent to more than £200 million,

are possible across the sector.

The Carbon Trust

Advisory visits for 41 Ramada Jarvis Hotels identified over £1 million of

savings

GTBS

Base = 278 respondents (all respondents); 54 gold award, 98 silver award and 51 bronze award

“To what extent have the measures you have introduced as a result of joining GTBS made cost-savings for the business?”

Gain market share

North East England set to pioneer green tourism9 March 2010

“In 2009, North East accommodation businesses who were members of the Green Tourism Business

Scheme recorded occupancy rates

19 % higher

than non accredited businesses”

TRAVELOCITY

EXPEDIA

www.green-tourism.co.uk

Booking website

• Guestlink software • Listing• Availability• Reserve • Book• 10% commission

• Press 09 -10• Guardian, Observer, Times, Scotsman, New Zealand Herald,

Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Sun, the BBC news website + numerous travel websites, magazines, daily and weekly newspapers

PR / Press

What is the GTBS?

• Certification programme covering all environmental and sustainability impacts of a tourism business

• Owned and developed by husband and wife team - Jon Proctor & Andrea Nicholas

• Operated by private, not-for-profit company – Green Business

• Income from membership fees / projects, not Government funded / supported

• Delivered by dedicated team of environmentally committed and qualified individuals

• 1997

• 00 - 06 English pilot projects – South Hams, East England Tourism, North West TB

• 2007

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

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

• 2010 Irish roll-out

• 2010 GTBS adopted by British Columbia for rollout to Canada – launching Nov 2010

Scotland 796

South West 469

South East 151

North West 174

North East 138

West Midlands 69

East England 68

East Midlands 48

Yorkshire 78

London 138

Wales 44

Jersey 15

Ireland 64

Total 2278

Membership

Groups

www.green-business.co.uk

Members Area

Suppliers Offers

Newsletters

How to go Green?How to go Green?

Flexible, practical measures

10 sections, 145 measures

Criteria & ScoringCriteria & Scoring

Compulsory Section

Innovation Section

Eight Technical Sections

Criteria English & Welsh

                

CompulsoryCompulsoryLegal compliance

Minimising risks

Green Co-ordinator

Annual consumption

Environmental Policy

ManagementManagement

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 ”

CommunicationCommunication

Responsible visitors charterResponsible visitors charter

Environmental education / towel agreement

Networking / GTBS promotion

Community projects / green lifestyle information☺£

EnergyEnergy

Low energy light bulbsLow energy light bulbsA 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”

£

Water Water

Low flush toilets (e.g. one flush policy)Low flush toilets (e.g. one flush policy)

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. ”

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

PurchasingPurchasing

Paper products in housekeepingPaper products in housekeeping

Organic food / sustainable products / recycled paper

Regional food & drinks

Fair Trade products / Traidcraft

Slow food / local meat / fish / veg / fruit☺£

☺

WasteWaste

Hazardous waste disposalHazardous waste disposal

Bulk buying / dispensers / dosing systems

Paper / bottles / cans / cardboard / plastic etc.

Printer cartridges / furniture / PC’s to charity / schools

Composting☺

TravelTravel

Marketing material has info on public transportMarketing material has info on public transportPublic transport promotion / car free days

Walking / Cycling information

Staff travel / use of alternative fuel cars

Natural fitness for staff & guests / offsetting emissions☺

☺Natural & Cultural HeritageNatural & Cultural Heritage

Wildlife or Cultural based organisation

Local and on-site flora & fauna / nature diary

Cultural events / festivals

Wildlife area

☺

Description: 2-Room B&BJoined: 2002 at GOLD

Main Achievements Transport: Public transport links on web and offer pick ups Website: environmental section on actions & GTBS promotion Walkers & Cyclists Welcome Wildlife: strong focus on local and on-site

Benefits Thistle Award Finalist Attend marketing workshop

Description: 19 RoomsJoined: 2006 at GOLD

Main Achievements Local Food: Breakfast is local & organic Community: Co-ordinate local food festival Compost: Supply water in biodegradable corn starch bottles Social: support local hospice

Benefits Advice on website improvements Central to marketing of business

Description: Adventure Travel CompanyJoined: 2006 at GOLD

Main Achievements Nature Conservation: education of guests Travel: Guests use public transport Energy: Good monitoring of fuel consumption Champion: Green business network

BenefitsGreen Tourism central to marketing strategyWon other awards e.g. Responsible Travel Award

Description: Rural Self-cateringJoined: 2009 at GOLD

Main Achievements Local Purchasing: local produce info on website Water: Rainwater harvesting system Energy: Solar water heating & low energy lighting Tradition: Sensitive renovation, reuse of local / original materials

Benefits Finalists in Environment Agency Water “Save” Awards 2009 Personal environmental commitment

Old Rectory BarnOld Rectory BarnBrecon Beacons National Park

• Contact from membership coordinatordawn@green-business.co.uk

• Appointments for grading visit offered 6 -7 wks notice

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS

• Grading visit ~ Report within 8 weeks / GOLD committee

• Annual data information form completed

• Revisit once every 2 yrs

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

• Complete and return application form

• Awaiting grading logo, members area and newsletters

MEMBERSHIP FEES

• Joining Fee (one-off) £55 + VAT

• Annual Fees Based on number of bedrooms, s/c units or full-time employees

• 3 bedroom B&B Annual fee = £84.78 + VAT

Free Joining Fee

Join before 31st Dec 2010 save £55 + VAT

Preparing for Visit

Barbara GranthamRegistered GTBS Advisor

“The Grading Visit”