SOUTH WEST TOURISM WINS GOLD IN GREEN AWARD

South West Tourism has demonstrated how tourism businesses can take positive steps towards helping the environment, by being awarded with a prestigious GOLD Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) award, making it the first Regional Tourist Board to achieve this level.

The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) award recognises tourism businesses that are taking action to support the local area and the wider environment. The accolade has been awarded by the world’s leading environmental accreditation system of tourism related businesses, and South West Tourism is one of over 350 tourism businesses in the region, and over 1,700 tourism businesses across the UK who currently take part in this award scheme.

To achieve the award South West Tourism has taken action in a wide range of areas including:

• Energy and water efficiency
• Waste reduction
• Support for local residents and suppliers
• Use of ethical products
• Promoting alternatives to the car
• Contributing to wildlife and the environment

Having achieved a Silver GTBS award a couple of years ago, South West Tourism has particularly focussed on travel, water, waste and communicating these actions. Two particularly innovative actions have been the introduction of fair trade cola to the staff tuck shop (believed to be a first) and hosting a Green Car Show showcasing the Top 10 Green Cars as judged by the Environmental Transport Association.

Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of South West Tourism, said:
“We are delighted to have been awarded with the Gold in GTBS. The Gold level is described by the standards organisation as “exemplary”. However, we must not rest on our laurels; there are always more opportunities to improve our impact on the environment.

We want to lead by example and be a demonstration of the positive difference that going green can make. We’ve found it makes us more efficient, boosts our staff morale and improves our impact on the world around us, and by going through the process ourselves we can relate much more easily to other tourism businesses that are going green.”

Valere Tjolle