Sustainability

From holiday parks to hotels, self catering units to campuses, guest accommodation to hostels, to small or large attractions, green businesses are increasingly being sought by consumers.

Why get involved?

• Sustainable tourism is nothing to do with me – FALSE! 
• An attractive environment is the main motivation for visitors to come and then return.
• It’s expensive – FALSE! – Many actions, in particular to do with saving energy and reducing waste, do save you moneyIt means compromising guest comfort – FALSE! Many things like information on local walks and serving local food add value for your guests.
• It’s too complicated – FALSE! It doesn’t have to be and there’s lots of help out there

Shades of Green

Are you interested in joining the green business revolution but unsure where to start?

Climate change, energy saving, waste reduction – sustainable issues are high profile and likely to stay that way. Business benefits can include cost savings and an increased PR profile after taking simple actions. There are promotional advantages too thanks to growing consumer awareness. So where do you start when the subject is enormous and the terms used often confusing?

Visit Lincolnshire now has Shades of Green to provide simple and easy support no matter what your existing level of interest or understanding might be. Shades of Green will support tourism businesses on their green journey; from taking a first step through to accreditation by the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS).

We’ve published some top tips, sources of business advice and available grants on our industry website. For more go to Shades of Green Grants, Shades of Green Top Tips and Shades of Green Sources of Support.

We’re working with Visit England on the new Green Start programme. Launching in the autumn, Green Start provides an informed network of ideas, case studies and expertise for interested tourism businesses to access.

If you want to know more, talk directly with an expert about your own business or join the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS): email shadesofgreen@live-tourism.co.uk

It’s not about doing business differently, it’s about doing business even better!

Recent research shows that 11% of consumers  say they would look for an attraction or accommodation that is part of a green accreditation scheme.  67% said  a ‘green accredited’ business would positively influence their choice when making a decision on where to stay or visit.

For further information on accreditation schemes go to www.visitbritain.com/green and http://www.green-business.co.uk/scotland.html

For possible green grants go to www.emda.org.uk/rdpe  or www.greengrantsmachine.co.uk

Promotional benefits on being green both on our website and VisitBritain’s come with joining the Green Tourism Business Scheme – click on the following link for more info on joining -  http://www.green-business.co.uk/scotland.html

Did you know you may be able to get an interest-free loan from The Carbon Trust? For more go to http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/takingaction/about-loans.htm 

New research shows greener companies are more crunch proof!

Keep it real!

Keep it Real is a new toolkit to help tourism businesses to sell sustainability as part of their unique offer. It is designed for those businesses who have already taken action to be more sustainable and want to maximise the marketing opportunities that may exist. Produced by England’s Regional Tourism bodies in association with VisitEngland and written by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism the toolkit is packed with case studies from around the country. By illustrating the Who, Why, Where, When and What is involved Keep it real is designed to give businesses the confidence to talk about sustainability and make it part of their sales proposition.

The toolkit is available as an online document at www.visitengland.com/keepitreal where it can be downloaded if preferred at no cost.