Why independent assessment still matters to The Bruntsfield Hotel.

The Bruntsfield Hotel first joined Green Tourism in 2002, driven by a clear desire to operate more responsibly and to reduce our environmental impact.

Even at that stage, the business recognised the importance of supporting the local community and protecting the environment, and Green Tourism provided a valuable framework to help guide those early steps.

Since then, sustainability in tourism has changed dramatically. What was once a relatively niche focus has now become a fundamental expectation. Today, guests are far more aware and engaged, and sustainability plays a central role in how hospitality businesses operate. It is no longer viewed as an ‘add-on’, but as an essential part of delivering a high-quality guest experience.

One of the things we are most proud of is the consistency of our commitment over such a long period.

Maintaining high standards and achieving Green Tourism recognition reflects the collective effort of our entire team.

Rather than focusing on individual initiatives, we have worked to embed sustainability into our everyday operations, whether through energy efficiency, waste reduction, or more responsible sourcing. This long-term, integrated approach has delivered the most meaningful results.

Green Tourism membership has remained important to us because it provides both structure and accountability. It challenges us to continually review what we do and identify new opportunities for improvement, while also giving confidence to our guests that our efforts are independently assessed and credible.

Importantly, the Green Tourism process has helped shape our internal culture. Sustainability is now embedded across departments, influencing decision-making at every level. The audit process encourages a more thoughtful and structured approach, and it has helped foster a sense of shared responsibility among the team ensuring that sustainability is something everyone contributes to, rather than something driven by a single department.