Top ten green misconceptions stopping business greening revealed
Andrea Nicholas of GTBS
Fear is single biggest threat says GTBS
‘Fear’ is the single most common reason for hoteliers failing to adopt green practices, according to GTBS managing director Andrea Nicholas who says that around 80% misunderstand the implications of sustainable practices. She has compiled a top ten list of the most frequently cited misconceptions.
The Green Tourism Business Scheme eco-label has helped thousands of businesses gain certification for being environmentally-friendly. A Green Tourism Week taking place in June 2011 will feature a strong educational dimension intended to increase hoteliers’ understanding of sustainability.
The top ten ‘eco-excuses’ are:
- Too complicated
- Takes too much time
- Overly costly to implement
- Customers don’t care about green
- Venue is unsuited to sustainable practices
- Significant staff training will be needed
- Benefits take too long to realise
- Staff won’t engage with initiatives
- Not an immediate priority
- Risk of efforts being branded ‘greenwashing’
Says Nicholas, ‘Hoteliers need to appreciate the bigger picture, which is that greening is not only an essential part of competitive positioning but also to a great extent straightforward in implementation and quick to deliver savings. The tourism sector must adopt a supportive, handholding approach to ensure that groundless prejudices do not threaten sustainability efforts.’
Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 – latest news on the suite at www.travelmole.com/stories/1145615.php
Valere
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive