Tourism businesses in the Cairngorms National Park that haven’t joined the Green Tourism Business Scheme are being given another opportunity to sign up to the initiative free of charge!
Demand for places on two Green Tourism Business Scheme seminars held in Ballater and Grantown in December was so great that the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and VisitScotland have joined forces again to offer the same deal.
Tourism businesses interested in becoming a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme can apply for a free place on a third seminar, which will take place on Tuesday 31 January in the Boat Hotel, Boat of Garten from 10am to 1pm.
Those attending the event will be offered a free follow-up on-site grading and advisory visit. Also, if the business can demonstrate that it is already meeting the criteria for at least bronze level of the award, they can become a member of the scheme without paying the usual joining fee or the first year’s membership fee.
Heather Galbraith, the CNPA’s Sustainable Tourism Officer said: “People coming to the Cairngorms do so for the wonderful natural environment and customers want to see businesses contributing in a positive way to the protection and enhancement of that environment. Membership of the Green Tourism Business Scheme is one way in which businesses can demonstrate their commitment to helping look after this special place. The seminar will focus on the simple but practical things that businesses can do to qualify for membership of the scheme and the benefits that these measures will present to the business and the environment. Of course, another reason for signing up to the Green Tourism Business Scheme is that it allows businesses to use the Cairngorms National Park brand in their marketing and promotions.”
Around 35 businesses attended the seminars in December with 21 opting for a follow-up advisory and grading visit. Of those, 12 businesses have already achieved an award including the Ravenscraig Guest House in Aviemore and the Boat Hotel, Boat of Garten, both gaining a silver award.
Jonathon Gatenby from the Ravenscraig Guest House said: “We are very happy to have achieved a silver award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme and look forward to continuing to improve the environmental impact of the guesthouse. We believe that the success of the scheme lies in encouraging more businesses to join and this is being made possible with assistance from the Park Authority. We would urge as many tourism businesses as possible to attend the seminar and find out more about the scheme.”
To book a place on the next Green Tourism Business Scheme seminar, please contact Heather Galbraith on tel: 01479 873535 or email: [email protected]. The seminar can accommodate up to 25 people. Places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.