Double Gold in Green Tourism Awards

Published: 11 July 2014

ZoomShetland Amenity Trust and one of its core services, the Shetland Museum and Archives, have both, again, achieved Gold Standards in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), following a recent assessment by inspectors.

The Trust participates in, and initiates, many environmental initiatives, and it is due to this work that the gold level award has been retained.  The Trust has held a Gold standard award for many years. Shetland Museum and Archives joined the GTBS scheme in 2008, achieving a silver grading at the first assessment and improving to Gold standard in 2012.

Carried out every two years, the grading assessments looked at nine different categories, including Management, Communication, Energy, Water, Purchasing, Nature and Culture, Waste Minimisation and Travel. To receive a gold rating the Trust and the Museum and Archives had to attain a certain number of points in each category, as well as an overall score above 80%. Achieving and maintaining this level of assessment is a notable accomplishment.

In his inspection report, the assessor Stuart Brain commented:

"Shetland Amenity Trust runs a number of environmental improvement projects throughout the Shetland Islands, reducing waste while helping to increase awareness and encourage the residents and visitors and manages a long list of important heritage buildings and projects. Sita and team are invested in their work with the trust and have ensured that a number of best practice measures - too many to list - are in place as part of the Green Tourism programme. Thus ensuring that the Trust continues with a very strong GOLD award on their third grading visit.
Overall an excellent green tourism member demonstrating continual improvement in all areas of operation."

Sita Hughson, Environmental Project Officer said "All of our staff work hard to ensure our commitment to improving the environment is upheld.  We have a number of procedures in place within the office, and throughout our satlite projects and we are always looking for ways to improve working practices which will benefit and project the environment."

More information about the Green Tourism Business Scheme can be found at www.green-tourism.com