GREEN TOURISM BUSINESS SCHEME Andrea Nicholas Director Green Business UK Ltd Manager 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 tourism 9 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

Booking website Guestlink software Listing Availability Reserve Book 10% commission

Press 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

English pilot projects – South Hams, East England Tourism, North West TB 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 Total2278 Membership

Groups

Members Area

Suppliers Offers

Newsletters

How to go Green?

Flexible, practical measures 10 sections, 145 measures Criteria & Scoring Compulsory Section Innovation Section Eight Technical Sections Criteria English & Welsh

Compulsory Legal compliance Minimising risks Green Co-ordinator Annual consumption Environmental Policy

Management Green 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 ” Communication Responsible visitors charter Environmental education / towel agreement Networking / GTBS promotion Community projects / green lifestyle information ☺ £

Energy Low 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” £

Water 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” Purchasing Paper products in housekeeping Organic food / sustainable products / recycled paper Regional food & drinks Fair Trade products / Traidcraft Slow food / local meat / fish / veg / fruit ☺ £ ☺

Waste Hazardous waste disposal Bulk buying / dispensers / dosing systems Paper / bottles / cans / cardboard / plastic etc. Printer cartridges / furniture / PC’s to charity / schools Composting ☺

Travel Marketing material has info on public transport Public transport promotion / car free days Walking / Cycling information Staff travel / use of alternative fuel cars Natural fitness for staff & guests / offsetting emissions ☺

☺ Natural & Cultural Heritage Wildlife or Cultural based organisation Local and on-site flora & fauna / nature diary Cultural events / festivals Wildlife area ☺

Description: 2-Room B&B Joined: 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 Rooms Joined: 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 Company Joined: 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 Benefits  Green Tourism central to marketing strategy  Won other awards e.g. Responsible Travel Award

Description: Rural Self-catering Joined: 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 Barn Brecon Beacons National Park

Contact from membership coordinator 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) Complete and return application form Awaiting grading logo, members area and newsletters

MEMBERSHIP FEES Joining Fee (one-off)£55 + VAT Annual FeesBased on number of bedrooms, s/c units or full-time employees 3 bedroom B&BAnnual fee = £ VAT Free Joining Fee Join before 31 st Dec 2010 save £55 + VAT

Preparing for Visit

Barbara Grantham Registered GTBS Advisor “The Grading Visit”