PERTH, SCOTLAND—To celebrate Canada Day 2011, the Perth, Scotland-based Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) last week announced its first Green Tourism certified operators in British Columbia, Canada. More than 30 businesses in British Columbia took part in a pilot Green Tourism assessment last summer. Through this process the Canadian criteria and performance indicators were established and 26 sites achieved certification, comprising a variety of bronze, silver and gold awards.
“There are some outstanding businesses in British Columbia with some even rivaling the best we have in the U.K.,” said Jon Proctor, senior assessor with GTBS. “Siwash Lake Ranch was among the Gold award winners with a ultraviolet water and ecological treatment system, solar panels, organic food, and some excellent work on preserving the area’s rich biodiversity. Encouraging guests to enjoy the area on horseback adds to the eco-nature of the experience and helps set this business apart as a leader in green tourism.
“Other green certified experiences include Maple Leaf Adventures, a classic schooner visiting the remote islands in British Columbia while interpreting the fauna and flora of the area as well as some of the main environmental issues affecting the region,” Proctor added.
The Vancouver Aquarium also managed to achieve a Gold rating due to a combination of customer related green actions such as the exclusive use of Ocean Wise fish in their cafes, the extensive recycling facilities together with a strong management system, key energy savings, and excellent interpretation. The Listel Hotel has also led the way with solar panels, heat recovery systems and heat pumps.
Gold Winner: Strathcona Lodge
Several adventure tourism businesses achieved green certification with Destiny River Adventures worthy of special mention as a Silver award winner. Strathcona Lodge on Vancouver Island achieved certification with a Gold award. They have been pioneering sustainable living and best practices since the 1970s.
“Canada Day represents an important day for Green Tourism, being the first occasion GTBS has been implemented directly outside the U.K. and Ireland,” said Andrea Nicholas, director of Green Tourism UK. “With these 26 pilot tourism businesses achieving recognition, we hope to continue our progress in developing Green Tourism Canada as a leader in sustainable tourism certification in British Columbia and across Canada. We are presently collecting expressions of interest from tourism operators as well as other industry partners.”
Charlie James is the program manager based in Vancouver, British Columbia, who is managing the business development and activities of Green Tourism Canada.
“Today is an exciting milestone in our progress to achieving sustainable tourism not only in Canada, but in highlighting some of our excellent destinations to the consumer,” Nicholas said. “There is a new section on the Green Tourism website dedicated to Green Tourism Canada. There you can register your interest in the program, or choose a green tourism holiday in B.C. We can all play our part in helping develop a more sustainable future, whether as a discerning business traveler, holiday maker or family planning a spectacular B.C. adventure.”
If you would like to know more about Green Tourism Canada, visit www.greentourismcanada.com or e-mail info@greentourismcanada.com.
