VisitScotland has launched an innovative new partnership The Travel Corporation (TTC) and the Travel Foundation designed to inspire and support climate action within Scotland’s tourism industry and drive change with businesses, visitors, and destinations.
The focus of the program will be on the challenge of how to reduce carbon emissions in the tourism supply chain by developing and delivering responsible tourism experiences and itineraries that have a positive social or environmental impact on communities and those who experience them.
It is the first time that VisitScotland and any global tour operator have committed to work together to share learnings, insights and support each other in accelerating change and being part of the climate change solution.
The overall goal of the project in the long term is to accelerate the de-carbonization of the tourism supply chain in Scotland and VisitScotland anticipates that the learnings from the project will be of international relevance.
The partnership will look at every touchpoint in the supply chain that a visitor experiences. For consumers looking for positive impact experiences in Scotland, the project aims to make selecting a travel provider that prioritizes sustainability easier, giving them the opportunity to discover local stories, enjoy authentic experiences and see how their visit contributes to local communities.
Scotland’s tourism industry recognizes the need for change with 75% of businesses aware of the Scottish Government’s net zero target for 2045.
For its part, The Travel Corporation is the first global tour operator to achieve validated near term, long term, and net zero targets.
Together they will support businesses seeking to take steps to reduce their carbon emissions and offer sustainable options. The project will encourage tourism businesses in Scotland to see the business case for responsible, low-carbon development, and it will enable consumers to choose responsible products and tours.
VisitScotland already provides dedicated support and resources to help businesses reduce their carbon emissions, including a Climate Action Planning guide.
VisitScotland Chief Executive, Malcolm Roughead said: “This important new partnership marks an exciting milestone in our ambitions to becoming a leading destination for responsible tourism. It will allow us to share learnings and insights with the aim of accelerating Scottish tourism’s journey to net zero.
“Visitors come to Scotland to enjoy our stunning natural and cultural heritage, and we need to protect these assets for the future. Despite the challenges facing our tourism industry, many businesses recognize the importance of taking action, and the benefits – both ethically and economically – that can come with doing that. We know that transitioning to a low carbon economy is a challenge, and not something that we can do alone.”
Rebecca Armstrong, Sustainable Tourism Specialist at the Travel Foundation added: “This partnership and its supply-side focus is a demonstration of what we need to move the needle on climate action in tourism. It’s not only a golden opportunity for Scottish businesses to access vital support, resources, and expertise, but also a deeper exploration into the broader challenges which can hinder the scaling and acceleration of low-carbon operations, with a view to unlocking solutions.
“These invaluable lessons won’t stay confined to Scotland – they’ll resonate globally through our wider programmes, placing Scotland and TTC at the forefront of shaping the future of tourism in a decarbonised world.”