(TAN): VisitScotland has announced to join Wild Scotland and Sail Scotland to step up the country’s commitment to responsible tourism and tackling climate change, by becoming the first national tourism organisation in the world to sign up to the Tourism Declares initiative. The three organisations have pledged to take action to reduce carbon emissions and support businesses to do the same.
Through their activity, these three organisations will aim to play a leading role in the development of Scotland as a globally recognised responsible destination. With the tourism industry facing huge challenges due to the pandemic, their plans recognise the importance of balancing necessary business survival with a sustainable and responsible recovery.
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The collaborative partnership joins a growing list of over one hundred travel groups, businesses and individuals who have declared under the banner Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, an initiative committed to coming together to find solutions to the climate crisis. The initiative aims to encourage positive contributions toward addressing climate change, especially as the sector looks to recover from Covid-19.
As part of their plan, the national tourism body has committed to reducing its own emissions, working with communities and focusing marketing efforts to encourage responsible tourism, in line with Scottish Government’s targets to become net-zero by 2045, and the national tourism strategy, Scotland Outlook 2030, ambition for responsible growth.
VisitScotland’s plan also includes a long-term commitment to increased promotion of public transport and active travel, including maximising the transformational benefits of hosting the UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023.
Wild Scotland, as the representative body of the wildlife, adventure and activity tourism industry has made a commitment through their own declaration to advocate for change across the tourism industry.
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Sail Scotland has over the past year worked with sailing destinations and local businesses to promote local trade to visiting vessels through the Shop to Ship and #RespectTheDestination campaigns.
Speaking about the declaration, Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive, VisitScotland said, “These are incredibly challenging times for businesses across the country and during our response to the pandemic, responsible recovery has been key. The declarations of our industry partners Wild Scotland and Sail Scotland, and activity holidays specialists Wilderness Scotland before them, represent the strength of collective feeling that exists across the industry to rebuild responsibly and protect our beautiful country for generations to come.”
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