Sustainability accreditation company Green Tourism has created an online tool designed to calculate the carbon footprint of hospitality and tourism businesses.

Called Carbon Calculator, the tool has been devised to help develop sustainability benchmarks for the hospitality and tourism sector. It produces annual carbon footprint reports to benchmark where the business is currently as well as demonstrating improvement year on year. 

Trialed with 1000 businesses, the Carbon Calculator has had positive results for the businesses that understand consumers buy in to sustainable experiences.  Almost 40% of UK travelers consider the environment and sustainability when choosing a holiday destination according to World Travel Market.

The Carbon Calculator allows business owners to not only calculate and record their carbon footprint year on year but also provides a certificate to be displayed for consumers. 

The diverse range of businesses that have used Carbon Calculator include Jury's Inns and Radisson Blu Hotels across the UK, Leeds University, Murrayshall House Hotel and Golf Course in Perthshire and London Zoo.  A staggering 180,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide has been saved as a result of sustainable practices.

Installing a biomass boiler, sourcing local food and promoting car-free activities to guests are just some of the sustainable initiatives encouraged by Green Tourism that help to improve a businesses carbon footprint.

Jon Proctor, CEO of Green Tourism commented: “With more and more travelers considering their carbon footprint when choosing a holiday destination it has never been more important for hospitality businesses to become sustainable.  Our ambition is to drive the green tourism revolution around the UK, Ireland and beyond.  Implementing cost and carbon saving practices and being able to record this succinctly with the help of the Carbon Calculator will be an asset to any business on a green mission.”

As the go-to standard in sustainability across the UK within the hospitality and tourist industry, Green Tourism is spearheading the tourism sector's sustainable mission, and with their comprehensive framework, based on a rating of Bronze, Silver or Gold depending on how far a business is on the green journey, hospitality and tourism destinations can become truly green.

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For further press information please contact Katie at O'Leary PR katie@olearypr.co.uk 0131 526 3190

Notes to Editors 

Green Tourism is the market leading sustainable tourism certification programme in the UK and Internationally. Our aim is to build on this strong position and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of sustainable tourism in the future whilst extending our work around the world.  To achieve an accreditation, businesses are graded by a qualified Assessor against a rigorous set of criteria which cover a range of areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and social involvement and communication. Business types include accommodation providers, visitor attractions, activity centres and corporate offices among many others. 

Sustainable tourism is about tourists visiting somewhere and attempting to make only a positive impact on the environment, society and economy. A Green Tourism Award allows the consumer to make a clear ethical and responsible decision about where to holiday, stay or visit.

1. Becoming a Green Tourism member offers businesses a wide range of benefits. These include cost savings, onsite assessment and bespoke audit reports, advice and support from our highly qualified assessors, use of the Green Tourism brand and numerous online marketing advantages.

2. By becoming a member of Green Tourism, you will be joining over 2,000 tourism businesses and publicising your commitment to sustainable tourism. To protect our planet and improve your business - join now.

3. Are you interested in joining the largest and most established sustainable national grading programme in the world? Visit us at www.green-tourism.com