Case Study - Skye Inn - Highland Tourism

Located in Portree, the Skye Inn provides 24 guest rooms with modern ensuite bathrooms. The Inn is part of The Travel Corporation (TTC) which owns over 40 tourism brands, operating on every continent on the planet.

To drive the highest standard of environmental performance, they have developed a comprehensive sustainability programme called “How We Tread Right” and created the Tread Right Foundation – a not for profit organisation investing in projects that ensure travel has a positive impact on our planet, our communities and our wildlife. The Skye Inn embraces these principles and is working hard to achieve the goals laid out in their 5-point Climate Action Plan.

Parent company, TTC, is working with like-minded organisations and businesses to take urgent climate action. Their commitment to the World Travel & Tourism Council and The Future of Tourism Coalition is supporting the roadmaps that will help the travel industry and in-destinations reach net zero by 2050. TTC is backing up its carbon neutral claims by publishing an externally verified carbon footprint, demonstrating reduction efforts and publishing annual offset amounts. Green champions work within every business in the group and Zoom regularly to share ideas and inspiration from around the world.

What?

The business was a launch signatory of the Glasgow Declaration in 2021 and made a binding commitment to net zero. In 2022, the business submitted science-based targets to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). These targets are currently under review and the Five Point Climate Action Plan reflects net zero ambitions and science-based targets. The company recognises that there is no one quick fix, and solutions will combine immediate action with a commitment to learn and adapt as technology and innovation facilitate further transitions to lower-carbon, both at their facilities and the tours they operate. Their plan builds on progress made to date and evaluates how they can be part of the global effort to reach the International Panel on Climate Change’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Why?

Travel inspires us to have a greater appreciation for the planet but with it comes responsibility. It is a responsibility that TTC takes very seriously. They have been providing innovative travel experiences for over 100 years and realise that only by reducing their environmental footprint, will they continue to thrive for centuries to come. They also recognise that they do not operate in a silo and that partnerships with others, are crucial to rising to the challenges we all face. They believe that the Global Goals established by the United Nations in 2015 are within reach if everyone plays their part – focusing on climate change, sustainable food production and the responsible use of products and resources.

Measure

The business has a significant direct carbon footprint from owned assets, referred to as “Business Emissions” and employees’ air business travel is included as part of that. The start of any carbon management programme or activity is to measure the baseline of emissions and the Inn is using the Accuvio carbon measurement platform to monitor the impacts of their energy, suppliers and laundry.

Reduce

The business has identified targets for reducing its emissions and these will be implemented over the next decade. All glass, plastics, paper, cardboard & cans are recycled and all waste is now monitored & recorded. To reduce the impact of their food and beverages, they use local suppliers, including a local forager, wherever possible and are proud of their seasonal Scottish menus and that everything served in their bar is exclusively produced in Scotland. Bottled water has been replaced with Skye’s wonderfully pure tap water. Their cooking oil is collected for conversion to high quality biofuels and a food waste reduction strategy is completed by composting for unavoidable food waste. During the Skye Inn’s refit, great care was taken to source materials and furniture from local suppliers and they reduced their impact still further reused high quality furniture and fittings from sister company Uniworld Cruises.

Remove

Following acquisition of the business, a major refit was undertaken to reduce emissions including the installation of LED lighting and movement sensors to optimise corridor lighting. State of the art insulation has been deployed and thermostats and timers to ensure rooms are only heated when needed to help reduce heating impacts. Water saving measures such as ecoflush toilets have been installed throughout the Inn and a suite of policies, such as only replacing towels when requested are further reducing carbon impacts.

Offset

While The Skye Inn does everything possible to avoid the need for offsetting, carbon removal solutions which store excess carbon from the atmosphere are crucial to mitigating climate change. TTC, has provided grants to two new potential international permanent carbon storage solutions. The business will use verifiable carbon offsets as a tool to address their remaining emissions. By investing in a project to regenerate Victoria’s Annya State Forest and protect it against further clearances the company is enhancing biodiversity by protecting the habitat of vulnerable native species while storing carbon within the rehabilitated ecosystem.

Evolve

The Skye Inn recognises carbon reduction is not a solo journey. Everyone who works at the Inn is fully invested in achieving the company’s Five Point Climate Action Plan. The Skye Inn also offers opportunities for guests to take a hands-on approach with voluntourism opportunities helping the Sleat Community Trust in their work to regenerate Tormore Forest.

Future of Tourism

We’ve joined the movement to reshape the Future of Tourism! We are excited to announce that Highland Tourism has signed the new set of Guiding Principles launched by the Future of Tourism Coalition. As a signatory, we commit to place destination needs at the centre of our recovery strategies and do our part to build a better tomorrow for travel and tourism. Read more here >>

Tourism Declares

We’ve signed up to Tourism Declares, an initiative that supports tourism businesses, organisations and individuals in declaring a climate emergency and taking purposeful action to reduce their carbon emissions as per the advice from The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to cut global carbon emissions to 55% below 2017 levels by 2030. Read more here >>

Sustainable Development Goals

We’ve subscribed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Read more here >>