Meaningful Travel with Scotland
VisitScotland plays a leading role in the development of Scotland as a sustainable tourism destination, working in collaboration with the Scottish tourism and events industry, key public and private partners, and local communities to create responsible tourism practices. VisitScotland’s approach to developing meaningful tourism focuses on building destinations and visitor experiences that enable deeper connections, allowing tourism to flourish now and in the future.
Scotland’s Meaningful Travel Map
The Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map is a B2B tool that helps the travel trade and sustainably-minded travelers easily source organizations making positive social and environmental impacts in destinations. Discover vetted, sustainable offerings in Scotland that are ready to book for your next trip.
Scotland’s Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
VisitScotland is committed to the responsible growth of tourism and events, with the ambition to create better places for people to live, work, and visit. Their approach to sustainable tourism focuses on four priority areas across various work streams, including industry and destination development, marketing, visitor information, and events. The priority areas include:
Supporting Scotland’s transition to a low carbon economy: VisitScotland was the first national tourism organization to join Tourism Declares and declare a Climate Emergency in 2020. They are committed to assisting tourism businesses and events achieve their net-zero targets and develop sustainable products and experiences.
Ensuring tourism and events in Scotland are inclusive and welcoming for all.
Ensuring tourism and events contribute to thriving communities, benefiting every region across Scotland.
Supporting the protection and considerate enjoyment of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage.
Read more about Scotland’s responsible tourism objectives here.
“Our vision is for Scotland to be a globally recognised responsible destination. We want to inspire and influence visitors to make sustainable choices at all stages of their journey, and joining the Tourism Cares member community represents another example of our efforts to achieve this.
“As the first European destination to build a Meaningful Travel Map, we look forward to working with Tourism Cares, travel trade, and Scottish tourism businesses to share the unique, sustainable, and authentic experiences we have to offer in Scotland with a wider audience.”
- Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland Chief Executive
Thank You to Our Destination Partner
SPOTLIGHT: THE PEOPLE + PLACES OF TOURISM CARES
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre | Tourism Cares Grantee
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre was provided support on behalf of Globus Family of Brands to support ongoing mentorship, build capacity and foster resiliency for Indigenous community members through meaningful employment. The grant funds will also be used to develop a new guided tour called ANCIENT MEDICINES, enriching and connecting the cultural identity of the Indigenous Youth Ambassadors and Cultural Ambassadors the Centre works with.