Sustainability Certification Scheme Providers | Tourism Recovery Fund

Please note that this fund is now closed for applications.

COVID-19 has forced a monumental shift in the tourism industry and as we map our recovery, we must recognise that we're now operating in a new tourism landscape. In the post-COVID recovery period it will be important for businesses to demonstrate their sustainability credentials. 

This Fund was aimed at sustainability certification scheme providers, to allow them to offer a discounted or free membership to tourism businesses for one year, providing support for tourism businesses to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 in a sustainable manner. 

This Fund was only open to sustainability certification scheme providers, not tourism businesses or destination management organisations.

Three sustainable tourism certification scheme providers were successful in securing funds to offer tourism businesses a membership fee discount. 

Any businesses interested in benefitting from the funding going towards certification scheme fees should take a look at the three programmes offering a discounted membership.

The Destination Net Zero programme is one of the Scottish Government’s funded COVID-19 tourism recovery projects that aligns with the Scotland Outlook 2030 strategy and our responsible tourism strategy, Tourism Declares and commitment to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.

About the Fund

The purpose of this Sustainability Certification Scheme Fund was to support tourism and events businesses by providing funding to sustainability certification scheme providers. This allowed businesses to think about developing their net zero action plans and focus on carbon reduction activity. 

Sustainability certification schemes have a range of benefits which will support the programme’s overall objectives. They provide a framework to review the business’s sustainability actions, including key carbon reduction measures, and encourage continuous improvement.  

The independent verification of actions undertaken, provides businesses with a robust and credible certification to help promote their sustainability commitment to their potential customers, benefitting the business as well as the development of a more sustainable destination.     

The total budget for this Fund was £75,000 and was delivered by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Application process

The Fund is now closed for applications. 

Three sustainable tourism certification scheme providers were successful in securing funds to offer tourism businesses a membership fee discount. 

Any businesses interested in benefitting from the funding going towards certification scheme fees should take a look at the three programmes offering a discounted membership.

Questions about the fund

If you have any enquiries about the Sustainability Certification Scheme Fund please contact netzerofunds@visitscotland.com.