Haven leads the way in green tourism

Britain’s largest operator of UK holiday parks is aiming to lead the industry in sustainable tourism. Haven Holidays, which provides more than one million family holidays a year in the UK, has established “Green Teams” at each of its 35 holiday parks around Britain.

The Teams are dedicated to establishing environmentally friendly practices on the parks, both to minimise carbon emissions and to promote a wild-life friendly environment for customers.

All of the parks have won conservation awards and two have been recognised under the prestigious Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Next season 15 are to apply for accreditation under GTBS’ rigorous assessment programme which analyses businesses under 150 strict criteria from waste management and energy conservation to use of local produce and promotion of public transport links.

Haven was praised by the GTBS and other environmental groups at its recent Green Team conference held at the company’s most recent acquisition, the award-winning five-star Far Grange Holiday Park near Skipsea, Yorkshire.

Director Howard Rawlings said: “Green tourism is an area where we are ahead of the industry. We have the opportunity to move on from here to differentiate ourselves from other businesses and lead the way.”

With utility prices soaring, the company – part of the Bourne Leisure group that also includes the Butlins and Warner Breaks brands – has focused on finding ways to reduce costs in electricity, gas and water. Over the last two years Haven Holidays has managed to make reductions of around 10% in electricity consumption.

Many of the measures that have been introduced are simply good housekeeping such as switching to low energy light bulbs and instigating a “switch it off” campaign for appliances not in use.

Significant investment has also been made in trial projects throughout the estate, with careful monitoring of the savings achieved.

At Hafan y Mor in North Wales a combined heat and power plant has been installed which generates electricity as a by-product of the heating system for the leisure pool. Despite the cost of £130k the plant has achieved savings of around £30k in its first year. Marton Mere, near Blackpool will soon be almost self-sufficient in water after digging a borehole for its water supply. Street lighting is being replaced with low energy down-lights that are more efficient and less light-polluting.

Martin Webb of the Green Tourism Business Scheme said whereas some organisations could be accused of “greenwash” and had broadcast plans to improve their green credentials Haven is already instigating admirable environmental practices that deserved more recognition.

Haven’s flagship holiday parks Haggerston Castle in Northumberland and Devon Cliffs near Exmouth have both received GTBS awards. The company, which employs its own full-time Environmental Consultant, has carried its own stringent green audit and the fifteen top performing parks will be put forward join the GTBS scheme next year.

“Good green practice throughout the estate has really come of age,” added Mr Rawlings. “When we first introduced the idea several years ago a lot of people thought it was all about hugging trees. We still want to embrace the natural world and landscaping our parks and encouraging non-paying visitors such as birds and butterflies is an important part of what we do. But with the rising costs of utilities and heightened consumer demand that companies should operate within ethical guidelines we cannot afford not to go green.”

With a turnover in excess of £500 million a year and more than 8,000 employees in peak season, Haven is the leading provider of family caravan holidays in the UK. Next year it’s anticipated that around over half a million families will take a holiday on one of their 35 parks.

For more information visit haven.com.