The course includes cost reduction; working effectively with local communities and suppliers to improve a destination’s green credentials; marketing and communications; understanding green-conscious visitors’ expectations; and implementing a Green Tourism strategy.
Green Edge provides credits towards Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) awards accreditation. It helps businesses using Visit England’s Green Start programme, a web-based resource, to turn their initial planning into practical action
Green Edge combines significant learning with practical development exercises so that participants are equipped with new knowledge and clear action plans.Green Edge covers:
- Reasons for being green
Sustaining your business
Reducing resources and costs
Attracting visitors and improving customer satisfaction
Benefiting the environment and the community
- Understanding Green Tourism jargon
The terminology and what it means
- Managing delivery of Green Tourism
Identifying the impacts on your business
Meeting legal requirements
Developing a strategy and action plans
Motivating and managing staff
Monitoring progress
- Reducing costs and impacts
Top tips to save energy, water and waste
Setting targets and developing action plans
- Working with suppliers
Tips for green procurement
Trade-offs – what matters most to you?
Developing a product inventory
- Adding a distinctive local feel
Your community’s tourism assets
Helping visitors to travel better
Partnerships to protect local assets
- Promoting your green credentials
Identifying green-aware customers
Communicating sustainability messages
Accreditation opportunities
Walking the walk – ensuring you stay on the green track
* Green Start web-based resource is available, at no cost, to all tourism businesses interested in understanding how they can save money, encourage greater efficiency, add appeal to their business and begin a journey of doing business even better. It has been designed to help businesses review their performance and illustrate how sustainable practice can be part of normal business.
Green Edge participants will:
- understand what Green Tourism really means and how it affects their business
- identify how to cut energy, water and waste costs by up to 40%
- learn why being an active part of the community and using locally-produced goods can support a more sustainable, visitor-friendly destination
- add value to their marketing and promote their business effectively to the 65% ‘green-influenced’ consumers
- receive practical tips and develop a Green Tourism policy and clear action plans that make an immediate impact
- gain credits towards nationally-recognised GTBS (Green Tourism Business Scheme) Awards