Corporate and incentive travel agency, Hello Scotland, says it has reduced its incentive traveller carbon emissions by 17 per cent in five-years.
In 2011, the average carbon emissions per Hello Scotland incentive traveller were 0.31 tons CO2e, down 17 per cent since 2006.
The study, carried out by the Carbon Masters Project, in association with Scottish Business in Community, The Carbon Masters Trust and The University of Strathclyde, found that although overall carbon emissions had increased with the number of incentive participants travelling to Scotland with Hello, they had been able to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of each visitor.
“It’s not an easy job to reduce the carbon footprint of incentive travel, especially as 99 per cent of our clients arrive by air, our biggest contributor to carbon emissions,” says Project Director at Hello Scotland, Elaine Hamilton. “We’ve tried to be sensible with transportation, without compromising on the quality or experience of the trip.”
Hello Scotland also reduced its direct carbon emissions by seven per cent by switching to more fuel-efficient vehicles, encouraging low-carbon commuting and sensible energy usage.
“This year we want to focus even more on our own direct carbon emissions, and through offsetting incentive traveler emissions whilst they are visiting Scotland, with for example, low carbon producing hotels, carbon neutral tree planting, or other activities that give back to the environment,” adds Marketing Manager for Hello Scotland, Lisa George.
Hello Scotland currently operates a supplier scheme called ‘Going Green with Hello’ where it grades its suppliers on their green and sustainable credentials. Customers can see the grading of each participating hotel, venue and activity on Hello Scotland proposals and choose accordingly.
In 2011, Hello Scotland was awarded Gold in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
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