Regenerative tourism
Take ideas and inspiration from these case studies featuring those who have taken the lead in improving sustainability and seen real business benefit as a result.
The businesses featured are drawn from across England and include everything from activity providers and holiday parks, museums and stately homes. They all have one thing in common however - they have all embedded sustainability into the heart of their operations. And they are all better businesses as a result.
Sustainability in action
Transformation through environmental stewardship.
Managing energy, water and waste resources helped turn a former resource-hungry golf course to a lean, green outdoor activity business.
Growing green guests
Guests are very much included in the sustainability journey at Laverock Law and it’s clear, with around 50% of guests being repeat visitors, that they really appreciate the way it is woven into everything on offer.
It pays to be a great employer
Investing in their own team wasn’t just beneficial to the business but also helped raise the reputation of the tourism and hospitality industry locally as a sector of choice for workers.
Embracing the power of partnerships
Partnering with local organisations and getting the whole staff team engaged in their sustainability initiatives has really paid off for Berwick Lodge.
Building a sustainable, stronger business
Prioritising resource efficiency and environmental responsibility has created the foundation for long-term success and a more resilient business.
National Forest E-Bike Holidays
We’re all in it together
Blending their sustainability initiatives with distinctive, local experiences has been a winning combination leading to impressive customer satisfaction and national recognition.
Embedding sustainability into the whole business
Find out about how the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change led Holkham Hall to put sustainability at the core of every business decision and guest experience.
Stand out with a sense of purpose
Sustainability, which began as a necessity at has become central to the venue’s business growth, operations, marketing and recruitment.
Engaging with the community
By focusing on the diverse, local communities has made the visitor experiences at the museum richer, the welcome warmer and the relevance greater than ever before.
Meeting challenges together
Businesses and organisations working together to provide sustainable local transport options have reduced congestion and carbon and made the visitor offer in the area more resilient.
Journey to net zero
Save energy and reduce climate change impacts
Grow your knowledge of carbon impacts in the hotel industry, calculate your own emissions, and understand the business case for low-carbon hotels with this suite of resources from the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.
Measure your personal carbon footprint
Find out your personal carbon footprint with the World Wildlife Fund’s calculator, see where you stand compared to the rest of the country and get tips on ways to lower your footprint.
Calculate your business emissions
Use the SME Climate Hub’s tools help measure your business emissions. Measuring and understanding where you are is the first step to taking action and finding some quick wins to reduce emissions.
Reduce your food business’ impact
Find information, case studies and tools to measure then reduce the carbon footprint of your food business, with Foodsteps’ food sustainability platform
Promote car-free travel to your business by signing up to website Good Journey, the site for by finding adventures and attractions by train, bus, bike and foot around the UK.
Emission reporting can seem daunting, but the Emission Possible campaign shows you how to report your carbon emissions and make sector-specific changes.
emissions pdf
Measure your emissions
Read this guide for small business users on how to measure and report your greenhouse gas emissions, from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Reduce Waste
Reduce food waste and save money
Find out how to cut food waste with the Food Waste Reduction Toolkit from The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
Stem the rising tide of electronic waste with advice and information from the Energy Saving Trust.
Textile waste is increasing in England and is relevant to the tourism sector which uses textiles for uniforms and furnishings. Find out how to reduce textile waste.
Specific advice for the restaurant sector
The Sustainable Restaurant Association connects businesses around the world to accelerate change towards a hospitality sector that is socially progressive and environmentally restorative.
Travel Without Plastic estimates an average hotel consumes around half a million individual pieces of single-use plastic each year. They offer a range of free or low-cost resources to help hospitality businesses reduce plastic.
Saving energy
Measure your energy usage with this free online tool from Hotel Energy Solutions for hoteliers.
Energy saving advice for hotels
The Carbon Trust guide shares energy saving opportunities for the hospitality sector and demonstrates how simple actions save energy, cut costs and increase profit margins.
Smart meter and energy tips for small businesses
Explore money and energy-saving tips suitable for small businesses from Smart Energy GB.
Find out more about what’s available when it comes to generating your own energy.
Business and commercial energy explained
Learn more about Business & Commercial Energy with TCD Energy.
Watch this recording of our VisitEngland Webinar - Cut energy, save money and reduce carbon emissions with experts in energy procurement and billing, energy saving and renewables installation.
Manage water
Busting the myths about water reuse
Find useful explanations of terminology and information on various water reuse approaches from the UK’s water efficiency organisation, Water Wise.
Practice responsible water stewardship
Use this hotel water measurement tool from the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to foster responsible water usage.
The Water Efficiency Network provides useful information on greywater recycling.
Practical suggestions to reduce water use
Detailed, sector-specific information and tips on how to run a sustainable tourism business.
Sewage treatment and composting toilets
Find out if reedbed-sewage treatment could work for your business and learn about water free toilets from the Centre for Alternative Technology.
Support rural communities in the developing nations without access to running water by twinning your toilet.
Market your sustainability
Promote your business with our Communicating Sustainability guide
Learn how to tell people about your eco credentials and use your business’ sustainability to attract more customers.
Sign up to the Good Business Charter’s small business programme
Find out how to get Good Business Charter accreditation, for small businesses with less than 50 employees.
Find a Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-recognised award
The GSTC manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism and acts as the international accreditation body. Check which certifications apply sustainability standards that are recognised or accredited by the GSTC here.
Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) Greenwashing Regulations
Establish what you can and can’t say and find information about new regulations on how to avoid misleading or confusing customers.
Learn more about the ban on single-use plastics in England
From 1 October 2023 businesses must no longer supply, sell or offer certain single-use plastic items in England, including plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery and balloon sticks.
Apply for an Award
The King’s Awards for Enterprise
Apply for The King’s Awards for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.
WTM Global Responsible Tourism Awards
Apply for the World Travel Market (WTM) Global Responsible Tourism Awards for a chance of world-recognition in categories such as reducing plastic waste.
VisitEngland Awards for Excellence
Enter the sustainability category in your local awards for the chance of national recognition at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
Ongoing sustainability
Sustainability tools and calculators
Plenty of practical tools from the British Business Bank.
UN information on sustainability in tourism
For the latest research and information on global sustainability initiatives, keep up to date with The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), from the UN.
Understand environmental sustainability
Learn the principles of sustainable development, communities, energy management and the responsibility of business with this free course.
Join the Considerate Hoteliers community and enjoy membership accreditation, web listing, advice and support.
Learn more about the Tourism for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) platform, set up by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNTWO).
Online training in sustainable supply chain management.
Sustainability Business Recovery webinar
Watch the VisitBritain Sustainability Business Recovery webinar to learn about the challenges we face as an industry and how to build a sustainable future.
Join thousands of UK businesses reducing emissions and setting a sustainability strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with this initiative by the UK Business Climate Hub.
Design sustainable accommodation
Read the National Forest design guide for sustainable accommodation.
Funding for sustainability improvements
Clean Growth Financing from Lloyds
Learn more about Lloyds Bank’s Clean Growth Financing Initiative, offering discounted lending for sustainable purposes.
Grants for EV charging infrastructure
The government offers grants to support the wider use of electric and hybrid vehicles via the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). Read guidance on government grants for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
