Sustainability
Green accreditation schemes
The number of participating green accreditation scheme organisations is growing all the time. At the moment we’re working with the largest green accreditation scheme in the world - Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). Keep a look out here for when we validate new schemes and build our listings of approved green accommodation, attractions and events even more!
Learn more about VisitBritain’s commitment to green travel in Britain
Green Tourism Business Scheme
The GTBS award recognises places to stay and visit that are taking action to support the local area and the wider environment. It’s the largest sustainable (green) scheme to operate globally and assesses hundreds of fantastic places to stay and visit in Britain.
Businesses that meet the standard for a GTBS award receive a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award based on their level of achievement. Areas that a business are assessed on include Management and Marketing, Social Involvement and Communication, Energy, Water, Purchasing, Waste, Travel, Natural and Cultural Heritage and Innovation
Green Start
You may come across businesses in our listings with the ‘working towards green tourism’ logo. These businesses are in a programme called Green Start and are starting their journey to become green places to stay or visit.
The Green Start programme is a framework for any tourism business wishing to make an initial commitment to green tourism. It’s designed to provide operators with a springboard to accreditation by one of the VisitBritain validated accreditation schemes. By adopting Green Start, a business is signalling to visitors that it recognises the importance and value of sustainable good practice.
For more information on Green Start, including how to sign up please go to VisitBritain - Green Start (www.visitbritain.com/green).