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Green Tourism in Cornwall
People come to Cornwall for all sorts of very good reasons, but there's one major attraction that draws more visitors than any other - our unspoilt natural landscape. And we plan to keep it that way...
View all Green Tourism Business Scheme Members
View all David Bellamay Conservation Award sites
Visitors and locals alike love Cornwall for its wild and rugged coast and countryside, its wildlife, its ancient heritage and traditional local communities... the list goes on. But on the face of it, doesn't this present us with an awkward dilemma? As more and more of us choose to live and holiday here, aren't we in danger of placing increasing pressure on the very things that attracted us in the first place? Well, not necessarily - as long as we do as much as we can to make a positive impact on this unique and beautiful corner of the UK.
It started quietly, but the drive towards sustainable living and tourism in Cornwall has been gathering pace for some years, and these days, it's pretty hard to ignore. Large-scale projects like the Eden Project and now the groundbreaking new Wave Hub (a project to build the world's first large scale wave energy farm off the north Cornish coast), have highlighted a collective desire and determination to protect our region's valuable resources. But while schemes like these dominate the news headlines, there are hundreds of accommodation providers, restaurants, food producers and community groups across the county working hard to keep Cornwall green and gorgeous.
Offically Green
The Green Tourism Business Scheme is a national campaign which aims to promote businesses which care for the environment. Organisations that join the scheme are assessed by a qualified grading advisor on criteria including energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity. Those that meet the required standards can earn a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award based on their level of achievement - the higher the award, the more they're doing to care for the environment.
A wide range of businesses in Cornwall have joined the scheme, including accommodation providers, visitor attractions and corporate offices (and the numbers are rising all the time). In September 2007, four Cornish hotels were listed the scheme's Top 50 UK Greenest Hotels. The Budock Vean Hotel on the Helford River, The Primrose Valley Hotel at St Ives, The Blue Seas Hotel in Penzance and Bedruthan Steps Hotel near Padstow all received Gold awards.
Quick link to all Green Tourism Business Scheme award winners in Cornwall.
David Bellamy Conservation Awards
These awards are made each year to caravan and camping parks which can demonstrate policies showing active concern for the environment. David Bellamy looks at virtually every aspect of park management - from the protection of plant and animal habitats to the efficient use of energy and recycling. Three levels of excellence can be achieved : Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Quick link to David Bellamy Conservation Award winners in Cornwall
Be a responsible visitor
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. You can help us by refusing packaging and bags you don't need, and using the recycling banks you'll find in most supermarket and district council car parks across Cornwall. And if you are offered a recycling system in your cottage, please use it. Help us to keep Cornwall a super holiday destination, free from litter and environmental damage.
2. Get out of the car! Walking, cycling and riding are great ways to see the area without adding to traffic. Use public transport if you need to travel to your start point, but try exploring near to where you are staying - there are some fantastic places to see right on your doorstep...just ask!
3. Stay Local, Eat Local, Buy Local, See Local. Support local producers and services - and you'll see what Cornwall can offer, and benefit local communities. Visit farmers markets, farm shops, village stores, pubs and cafes. Our distinctive culture shines through the hundreds of community events that happen throughout the year - and the food and drink is simply fantastic.
4. Chill Out - Switch Off! You can see the stars at night in Cornwall! Help us reduce light pollution, energy use and CO2 emissions by switching off lights and all those standby buttons when you don't need them. Help us reduce water consumption by using just the water you need; and then sit back and enjoy that view.
5. Follow the Countryside Code - it reminds us all to protect, respect and enjoy: look after plants and animals; take litter away; leave gates and property as you find them; keep dogs under close control; and consider other people and users when visiting the countryside. And enjoy!
You can even off-set the carbon emissions from your trip to Cornwall - visit www.co2balance.com.
Green Awards
Cornwall has done very well in the recent South West Tourism Excellence Awards with two VisitCornwall members winning Silver in the Sustainable Tourism category, so well done to Pollaughan Farm Cottages and Bedruthan Steps Hotel.
Cornwall also plays host to an annual Sustainability Awards, which celebrate good practice in sustainable development, and this year attracted a record number of entries from a wide range of businesses, including food processing, printing, brewing,transport, building renovation, clothing, retail and tourism.
VisitCornwall, working in partnership with
CoaST and the Future Footprints Campaign.
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