Since its inception in 1997, the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) has been championing sustainable tourism in the UK, and has become the largest and most successful scheme of its type in the world. One of its roles is verifying the green credentials of hotels across the UK, many of which offer conference and events facilities, and this is an area of the GTBS’s work that is growing in popularity. So much so, in fact, that it recently released a list of 50 of the most environmentally friendly places to stay and use for conferences and events in the UK.
A range of independently owned and corporate establishments from the south coast of England to the Highlands of Scotland share the honours in the first register of its kind. The establishments are all holders of the coveted Gold Award as presented by the Green Tourism Business Scheme to those companies across the country that have demonstrated a firm commitment to safeguarding the environment and promoting sustainable tourism.
The Gold List was compiled by a team of independent assessors, who individually verified each establishment’s green credentials before granting it the highest possible grading.
Recipients of the award have to achieve a minimum standard from more than 120 separate measures, ranging from best management practice and energy saving to buying local produce and caring for wildlife and the landscape.
“This is more than just a list; it is a sign of the future as more people are demanding that hotels have to be environmentally aware,” explains Andrea Nicholas, director of The Green Tourism Business Scheme. “Our assessors visited every hotel on the list and verified their claims to be green. We are delighted that so many places want to win the highest accolade – a Gold Award. Many others have achieved Bronze or Silver. These hotels are pioneering the way.”
Sustainable tourism is increasingly important to consumers in the UK. A recent survey carried out by VisitBritain found that 84% of people said they would choose an attraction or accommodation provider that was part of a green accreditation scheme over one that was not. What’s more, 68% said they would still do so even if the prices of the green accredited business was slightly higher.
The Tourism Business Scheme’s 50 greenest hotel
Ambassador Hotel, Brighton, East Sussex.
Apex City Hotel, Edinburgh, Midlothian.
Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa, Dundee, Angus.
Apex European Hotel, Edinburgh, Midlothian.
Apex International Hotel, Edinburgh, Midlothian.
Argyll Hotel, Isle of Iona, Argyll.
Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall.
Blueseas Hotel, Penzance, Cornwall.
Budock Vean Hotel, Falmouth, Cornwall.
Careys Manor Hotel & Senspa, Brockenhurst, Hampshire.
Castle Campbell Hotel, Dollar, Clackmannanshire
Cleaton House, Westray, Orkney
Crown and Cushion Hotel, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.
Dartmouth Golf and Country Club, Dartmouth, Devon.
Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, Melrose, Roxburghshire.
Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel, Alnwick, Northumberland.
Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland St Andrews, Fife
Glazebrook House Hotel, Ivybridge, Devon
Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire
Greenbanks Country Hotel, Wendling, Norfolk.
Herrislea House, Tingwall, Shetland
Hilton Colyumbridge Hotel, Aviemore, Inversness-shire.
Isles of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Centre, Fort William, Inverness-shire
Jurys Inn, Glasgow, Glasgow, Strathclyde.
Kings Manor Hotel, Edinburgh, Midlothian
Langass Lodge, Locheport, Isle of North Uist.
Loch Torridon Hotel, Achnasheen, Ross-shire
New Hall, St Andrews, Fife
New Lanark Mill Hotel, Lanark, Lanarkshire
Park Hotel, Thurso, Caithness
Paskins Town House, Brighton, East Sussex
Pennyghael Hotel, Pennyghael, Isle of Mull.
Pool House Hotel, Poolewe, Ross-shire
Primrose Valley Hotel, St Ives, Cornwall.
Radison SAS Glasgow, Glasgow, Renfrewshire
Radisson SAS Hotel, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian.
Rufflets Country House & Garden Restaurant, St Andrews, Fife.
Station Hotel, Dumfries, Dumfrieshire
Stein Inn Waternish, Isle of Skye
Strattons Hotel, Swafham, Norfolk.
Sunny Brae Hotel, Nairn, Inverness-shire
Tables Hotel, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye
The Ballachulish Hotel, Fort William, Inverness-shire
The Bonham, Edinburgh, Midlothian
The Foveran Hotel, Kirkwall, Orkney
The Howard, Edinburgh, Midlothian
The Silverdale Hotel, Brighton, East Sussex.
The White Horse Inn, Chichester, West Sussex.
The Winnock Hotel (Drymen), Loch Lomond, Stirlingshire
Willowburn Hotel, Oban, Argyll.
