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How to get started

A 2009 survey of Yorkshire tourism businesses found that 74% of respondents believe that good environmental performance can save their business money. However, there is a perception that businesses need to make significant capital investments to achieve this improved performance.

Luckily it isn’t difficult and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. 10% – 30% savings are frequently cited in case studies just from doing no and low cost actions.

There are lots of easy things you can do and lots of support available to get you started (and more to come very soon).

Green Start

Green Start is available, at no cost, to all tourism businesses interested in understanding how they can save money, encourage greater efficiency, add appeal to their business and begin a journey of doing business even better. 

It has been designed to help businesses review their performance and illustrate how sustainable practice can be part of normal business.

It is also an online community of organisations with an interest in sustainable tourism, where businesses can share their experiences, and is a portal to the many tools that already exist .

A CD-ROM version will be available soon for those with limited or no broadband access.

 

Sustainability and Quality Standards

A common concern among tourism businesses seeking to offer quality and sustainability is the impact it might have on their quality grading.  Therefore sustainability guidance and advice is now incorporated into the Quality Standards booklets as the latest editions are published. See the latest Guest Accommodation Standards, for example.



VisitEngland has also developed a series of advice leaflets to provide best practice guidance on areas that could cause confusion with quality standards and manage any perceived conflicts.
 

Useful Links

Find Recyclers Near You

Yorkshire’s four Sub Regional Green Business Clubs - for environmental information, technical support and events

Information from Considerate Hoteliers

beacongreenhotel.co.uk - explore this virtual hotel with advice and information about green hotel products

Saving money, it’s your business - low/no cost ways to save money, including specific advice for the hospitality sector.  

• Hospitality sector specific information
• Cut Carbon, Cut Costs - free online tutorial aimed at helping small and medium-sized firms to improve their energy efficiency
• Free on-site carbon surveys for those with an annual energy spend of more than £50K.

Funding available from the Carbon Trust:

• Interest free energy efficiency loans
• Enhanced Capital Allowances -  tax relief is available for capital investment in energy saving technology.  Businesses can write off the whole of the capital cost of their investment in (eligible) energy-saving equipment against the taxable profits of the period of the investment. This can deliver a helpful cash flow boost and a shortened payback period. Step by step explanation of how the scheme works.