How green is your hotel?

How green is your hotel? Now you can find out
By Ian Herbert
Published: 13 August 2007
Amid evidence that British tourists would rather their hotel be sustainably run than have five stars, the UK tourist board VisitBritain wants to create a green marque that will endorsegenuinely green credentials.

Only 4 per cent of holidaymakers would choose to book a five-star hotel over a four-star establishment which is sustainably run, research from the Travel Foundation suggests. The clamour to know that a hotel’s green claims are valid has led to VisitBritain’s project, due to become a reality in the new year.

Scotland, under the aegis of the VisitScotland body, is considered to be at least five years ahead of England and Wales in its green tourism development, with sustainable “green” hotels and guest houses far easier to find. More than 700 establishments in Scotland, where VisitScotland says it aspires for carbon neutrality across all its hotels, are accredited through the Green Business Tourism Scheme (GBTS), which has become the most successful environmental accreditation body of tourism-related businesses in Europe. Although five of the nine English regions have now signed up to GBTS, only hotels in the South-west have earned accreditation in any great numbers.

To gain the coveted GTBS “leaf” branding, businesses are graded against more than 120 measures of best practice. These cover everything from efficient lighting and heating, to nature conservation, use of produce, renewable energy and community support and involvement.

But the establishment of a green standard for all British hotels may not be easy. Tourism professionals insist that there should be independent assessment rather than self-assessment to ensure the green marque is valued by consumers.

The watchdog Tourism Concern says “greenwashing” is already rife because there is no regulation of what constitutes terms such as “eco-friendly”. Harold Goodwin, head of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism at the University of Greenwich, has said “ecotourism” now lacks any use as a label because “people just don’t believe it”.

Andrea Nicholas of GBTS said: “Anything that promotes sustainable tourism and encourages the industry to get involved has to be applauded, but a great deal of care has to be taken to make sure consumer confidence is not damaged. Unless there is independent regulation and monitoring, businesses will be able to claim green credentials without any verification.”

VisitBritain will also need to persuade businesses with existing accreditation to move to its scheme. Travel Foundation, a UK charity committed to sustainable tourism, has highlighted the confusion caused across Europe by the sheer number of accreditation schemes, which the EU-funded flower marque hopes to resolve.

In Britain there is also the Travelife scheme, launched in April by the Federation of Tour Operators, which rates establishments according to their environmental performance. “It’s great that businesses are looking to have accreditation but there’s a real need for consistency,” said Sue Hurdle of the Travel Foundation.

Barry Sternlicht is launching “1″ Hotel and Residences in Seattle next year- which claims to be the world’s first global, eco-friendly hotel brand.

Britain’s greenest guesthouses

* Old Chapel Forge, near Chichester, Sussex.

B&B whose philosophy is ‘green tourism – a philosophy not a product’. Each guest room contains a detailed explanation of the environmental policy, including the systems and eco-products in use.

* Strattons Hotel and Restaurant, Swaffham, Norfolk

Countless green awards and standard bearer for eco-friendly boutique hotels. You will receive a 10 per cent discount if you arrive by public transport.

* East Lochhead Country House and Cottages in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire

Set amid 25 acres of lochs and moorland, proprietors Ross and Janet Anderson have spent a decade working on their green credentials – energy efficient light bulbs, home-grown vegetables and hire bikes.

* Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

First GTBS gold award winner in Cornwall. Visitors may pay voluntary £10 charge per car to offset carbon emissions with the planting of local trees that will not be felled for 100 years.

* Bloomfield House, Bath

A full English breakfast made with fair-trade and local, organic produce. Includes sausages from Bath’s farmers’ market and honey from a local beekeeper.

Source: http://environment.independent.co.uk/lifestyle/article2859083.ece