Scotland Aims to Increase Tourism 50% by 2015 – Sustainably

The Scottish tourism industry shares an ambition to grow revenues from tourism by 50 per cent by 2015, and it is crucial that this is achieved in a sustainable way, says VisitScotland. Forecasts for Scottish tourism suggest that the number of visitors will increase dramatically over the next 20 years. “While this will mean increased wealth for Scotland, it is crucial that this is achieved in a way which does not harm Scotland’s environment – the very thing that attracts many of our visitors”, commented Professor Ian Yeoman, Scotland’s Scenario Planning Manager.

Some of the actions that VisitScotland is taking include:

Scotland aims to be the world’s first “Carbon Neutral” destination…
As part of its environmental policy, VisitScotland will establish its ‘carbon footprint’ then make efforts to become carbon neutral. The process of establishing the carbon footprint is likely to be complete by 2008.

VisitScotland has established the Green Tourism Business Scheme…
All sorts of tourism businesses from hotels to visitor attractions can a play a role in protecting Scotland’s environment through the Green Tourism Business Scheme (an accreditation process) so that they maintain all they’ve got to offer their visitors well into the future. Currently there are around 700 Scottish tourism businesses involved in the scheme and by 2010 VisitScotland is targeted to achieve all “Quality Assured” tourism businesses at entry level by 2015.

The Scottish Executive has established the Sustainable Tourism Partnership…
The Sustainable Tourism Partnership (STP) was set up by the Scottish Executive in August 2006. Its aim is to build up links with tourism businesses interested in the sustainable development of Scottish tourism. STP is chaired by Tom Brock, of the Scottish Seabird Centre. STP comprises private sector and public sector representatives, including the Scottish Executive, VisitScotland, Scottish Tourism Forum, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and visitor attractions including the Scottish Seabird Centre. One of the first issues for action for the group is to identify indicators for sustainable tourism in Scotland. These will be used to measure progress towards the goal of becoming Europe’s most sustainable tourism destination.

VisitScotland has established its own Sustainable Tourism Unit…
With the issue of sustainability becoming more and more significant, VisitScotland agreed with a request from the Scottish Executive to mainstream sustainability and incorporate some of the past functions of the Tourism and Environment Forum into its own operations in 2006. The Tourism and Environment Forum was established 10 years ago and supported by VisitScotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The Sustainable Tourism Unit, which is based in Inverness, works to ensure the incorporation and promotion of sustainable tourism practices into all that VisitScotland does internally and in its activities with tourism businesses. The Sustainable Tourism Unit has been working with colleagues in VisitScotland to develop an environmental policy and targets for VisitScotland.

Valere Tjolle

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