Green Start to VisitBritain’s Sustainable Tourism program

In an effort to further adoption of sustainable tourism principles, VisitBritain is enabling the first 500 U.K. businesses to register for their new Green Start program for free.

In an effort to further adoption of sustainable tourism principles, VisitBritain is enabling the first 500 U.K. businesses to register for their new Green Start program for free. Green Start provides tourism managers and operators with a stepping stone towards accreditation by a validated sustainable accreditation scheme, such as the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

“VisitBritain is committed to encouraging sustainable businesses,” said Jason Freezer, VisitBritain’s sustainable tourism project manager. “However, nearly two-thirds tell us they need more guidance on developing their business in that way. Green Start is an initial step in helping more of our tourism businesses improve their existing practices and signals to visitors that they recognize the increasing importance and value of sustainable good practice.”

During registration (online), registrants are required to adhere to a code of conduct, commit to four fundamental sustainability requirements and, over a period of two years, meet or work towards at least 23 relevant “good practices” from a total menu of 50.

In return, registrants of Green Start will be recognized on both www.visitbritain.com and www.enjoyengland.com as being a verified “Green Start business”, signaling to consumers that they recognize the importance and value of sustainable good practice. VisitBritain will then provide them with additional best practice guidance, drawing on advice from national experts and signposting businesses to regional resources. The agency aims to have 2,500 businesses signed up to Green Start in the first year. Currently, consumers in the U.K. and abroad can now search for around 750 of these green accommodation providers.

VisitBritain will add its endorsement to businesses in these schemes and give their quality assessed participants full marketing benefits, both online and offline.

VisitBritain has also identified the few conflicts in its current national quality assessments standards and is addressing the process of integrating sustainable principles into them. Its activities in the sustainable arena are part of VisitBritain’s current strategy to promote sustainable businesses and encourage responsible visitors through marketing, industry engagement, leading by example and supporting Government’s sustainable agenda.