Are the models for sustainable tourism in Scotland here already?

In our tumultuous, post-pandemic world of unceasing global warming, rolling international conflicts and the destructive cost of living crisis, it feels somehow wrong to look back and draw out successes. But, in our age of seemingly endless strains, stretches and cuts, it’s only through seeing what is succeeding that we can gain hope for a brighter future. 

The tourism sector is under strain as it seeks to deal with changing consumer tastes, the climate emergency, increasing costs and at times friction with communities. For us, finding the balance of sustainability for tourism is not a goal, it’s an absolute must.  

Sustainable tourism gives as much to local communities as it takes, with visitors leaving only their footprints behind. Islands want visitors to come and enjoy the place they call home to share the experience and what makes it special with those who choose to visit. Many local people in rural areas depend on tourism for work and to keep their very communities alive. We can’t allow rural Scotland to be hollowed out by the insidious forces of increasing housing costs and a lack of employment opportunities or in some places, a reduced workforce to do those jobs. Today our rural communities are at their most vulnerable to the direct consequences of climate change and the cost-of-living crisis. The need for sustainable tourism has never been greater.  

The friction with the tourism industry and communities is not acceptable in any shape of form, whether it be overcrowding at hotspots, discarded waste or properties being bought out of the local housing stock for holiday rentals. In the past, other industries have been spoiled to the point of collapse by the greed and selfishness of the few. Will this be allowed to happen again? 

It’s in this context that we feel the need to look back to start pulling out what we see is working sustainably and has the potential to revitalise Scotland’s beleaguered tourism sector. While there are many projects already garnering deserved recognition for their work towards sustainable tourism in Scotland, there are also many, lesser-known initiatives that are contributing to the movement.  One example is an initiative that has re-written the rules of tourism and has done so with the grace and quiet determination of the islanders it serves. I’d like to share a little about this initiative in this article, and in due course will share more about other inspirational projects. 

Scottish Islands Passport 

The Scottish Islands Passport is an app which allows tourists to use their interests to search for their perfect island and uses geo-location to unlock virtual stamps for the islands visited. 

The whole initiative was master minded by a small group of HITRANS staff – all islanders and then taken forward by a two-woman team based on the island of Jura. The initiative has a simple guiding thought for all decisions, “is it good for the islands?” which lead to the creation of their “Island Centred Ethos”. All maps were centred on the islands with the mainland in the distant corners. Islanders decided what places they wanted to share or keep secret. Over 70 inhabited islands were included in the project, with only a small number of privately owned islands opting out. Local people created the content, and the stamps were designed by island artists. 

The initiative’s aim is to promote more visits to more islands, for more of the year, and better prepare visitors for their stays on the islands. So far there has been over 20,000 island visit stamps unlocked.  

The team in Jura has not rested on their laurels. After painstaking research, they have provided all the sustainable, active and accessible travel options currently available on islands to visitors through the app. This includes any island businesses that offer these options, so visitors can support these businesses during their stays. The app utilises photographic artificial intelligence to reward visitors for choosing active and sustainable travel options. The new series of travel stamps, that are only available while on the islands, continues to encourage visitors to choose sustainable travel methods as they can collect as many travel stamps as they take walking, cycling, wheeling and bus journeys across all the islands in the app. 

This is one of many initiatives that positively engage with the challenges of making tourism sustainable to the benefit of local communities, some of whom rely on it for employment and extra income. There will be many untold stories which, once shared, will play an important part in the beginnings of a paradigm of genuinely sustainable tourism for Scotland. A new age of carbon neutrality, natural and cultural preservation, and a truly enriching relationship between locals and visitors. One of the joys of the islands are their warm and welcoming communities who enjoy sharing their culture and history with visitors who want to find out more about island life. Scotland has been a hotbed of innovation and always extended a warm invitation to guests in the past and can continue to do so in the future. 

Do you know of a sustainable tourism initiative that you think deserves the spotlight? We’d love to hear about them.