What do we mean by Sustainable Tourism?
Sustainable tourism is minimising the environmental impact of travel, while emphasising the positive social, cultural, and financial impact.
The Travel Foundation says:
"By its very nature, tourism values the things that are most precious in our world: stunning landscapes, wildlife, history, culture and people. Tourism can be a catalyst for growth in the local economy, providing good quality jobs, opportunities for enterprise and funds for conservation. But if it is not managed well, tourism can have negative impacts on local communities and environments, creating long term problems for local residents, which can ultimately lead to the decline of tourism in the destination."
How do we do this?
Inform, incentivise, and support businesses and visitors to manage their impact by making choices that reduce their carbon travel footprint, making it as close to zero as possible.
This includes:
For visitors
- Promoting good travel choices
- Promoting local services and suppliers, especially retails, food and drink
- Promoting the sustainable credentials of places to stay and visit
- Good behaviours in destination
For businesses:
- Promoting good travel choices
- Promoting local supply chains
- Signpost good practice and advice
- Highlight funding opportunities
- Share research relating to consumer demand
For destinations:
- Ensuring that visitors support the local economy and not spoil the natural environment
- Developing a Good Visitor Charter
- Identifying times of the year and places that need visitors and prioritise demand marketing
Providing support for businesses
Providing information about accreditation schemes
Providing links to local sustainability support networks
Additional resources that may be useful for you on your sustainability journey
Access to Grants
Green Business Grants - Follow the link for more information
Travel West Grants - Follow the link for more information.
Visit West Sustainability Champions
Kathryn Davis, Managing Director
Helen Applin, Head of Business Events
Serena Meredith, Membership Administration Assistant
Tom Swithinbank, Redcliffe and Temple BID Project Manager
Our own policy (in development)
