Green Grading Award Scheme
The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is an accreditation scheme in which tourism businesses operating in a manner that supports the environment and local area, can obtain a gold, silver or bronze award.
The GTBS provides practical measures to enable businesses to reduce their environmental impact, improve the way in which they manage the resources they use, such as energy and water, support the local economy and increase their marketing potential in a marketplace with an ever-growing ethical conscience.
Businesses that participate in the scheme will receive a number of benefits including:
- Feel good factor knowing that they are doing something for the environment
- Potential to save 10-30% on energy, water and waste costs
- Increased market share – free website listing, (www.somewhere-special.co.uk) free advertising in the green guide and associated press.
- Enhanced quality experience for customers
- On going telephone and email support
- Access to discounted products through bulk purchasing groups
- Networking opportunities through the green business club
- Quarterly newsletter
In order for the business to obtain an award they must undertake a cross section of measures in the following categories:
- Compulsory section - environmental commitment and legislation
- Marketing and Management
- Energy Saving
- Water Issues
- Purchasing
- Waste Minimisation
- Transport & Wildlife
- Customer Experience
- Bonus section – for measures a business may be undertaking but are not covered by the above sections
There are currently 36 businesses in the South Hams who have achieved an award in the scheme:
- 14 gold
- 11 silver
- 11 bronze
- 4 going green
For more information, please see our pdf information sheet: ‘
Green Tourism Project’ (214kb)
Further reading:
- South Hams Green Guide printed copy available from beacon@southhams.gov.uk
- Going for Gold Newsletter – October 2004 (pdf newsletter) (To Follow)
- Going for Gold Newsletter – July 2004 (pdf newsletter) (To Follow)
- Green Audit Kit published by the English Tourism Council and the Countryside Agency (www.greenauditkit.org) (To Follow)
