South West businesses pioneer green tourism

South West Tourism is pleased to announce that over 300 tourism ‘pioneer’ businesses in the South West have now joined the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) – more than any other English region.

The scheme rewards businesses for their green actions, including reducing energy, water, waste and support of the local economy.

Europe’s leading ‘eco-label’ for tourism businesses, GTBS was rolled-out across the South West 2 years ago and since then has seen the region emerge as the number one destination in England for visitors looking for accommodation, visitor attractions and other tourist facilities which care for the environment and their neighbours.

Businesses that meet the required standard are rewarded with a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award based on their level of achievement, and then featured on a dedicated visitor website: Visitsouthwest.co.uk/feelgood.

As is suggested by its name, the ’Feel Good’ website helps visitors identify holidays in the South West that provide guilt-free indulgence. Visitors are able to use the online search facilities to choose from a range of tourism services that typically use local produce, support the local community, minimise their waste, water and energy use strategies, contribute to wildlife and provide ideas to their customers.

The National Trust property, Overbecks, located in the South Hams where GTBS was initially piloted, became the 300th GTBS member in the South West. Sarah Freeman, House and Customer Services Manager at Overbeck’s Museum and Garden says:

"The garden at Overbeck's has been organic for over seven years and we are making real in-roads into making the property 'greener' and reducing our environmental footprint.

“The GTBS scheme gives us something to aim for, it will recognise our successes and help us promote and market our greener approach. We are very excited that we are the 300th member of the scheme in the South West and very keen to work with local businesses and organisations to show that in the South West we can offer visitors and the local communities a green approach to tourism.”

Neil Warren, Sustainable Tourism Manager of South West Tourism said:

“We’re delighted to have broken through the 300 mark – and are already forging forward towards 400. Recent surveys indicate that there is increasing awareness of the GTBS award among visitors and that they are starting to think of the South West as the best in the UK for ‘green choices’.

“More and more businesses are realising the importance of having this green credential as the actions taken can help to save money, whilst reducing the impact on the environment and attracting visitors.”