Capitalising on Your Green Credentials

Tourism businesses can save save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year by following good environmental practice.  But, it's not just about saving money.  Being a ‘green’ business should provide a marketing edge by attracting and impressing customers who share a concern for the environment.

However, managing your tourism business in a way that is sympathetic to the environment should not be regarded as just a public relations exercise.  Today's travellers are increasingly well educated, well read, and concerned about the environment. Tokenism and superficial approaches are easily detected. Knowing the environmental record of a destination or a business can influence market perceptions.

Tourism businesses – from B&Bs to international hotels - that have acted to improve their environmental performance have discovered a whole host of audiences keen to hear about it - not just existing and potential customers, but also the media, employees, and local communities.  Such businesses have benefited from keeping their messages simple and accurate, and by emphasising what they have achieved in relevant terms such as cost savings. If you can show and communicate that you care for the environment, as well as the visitor's comfort, you will gain customer respect and loyalty.

Click here to read about an award-winning Grampians accommodation business that showcases its environmental design to help educate its visitors