Launch to promote green business in the Broads
An event to encourage Broads businesses to become greener took place on Thursday 21 February at the new Broad House Country Estate Hotel, Wroxham.
The seminar and workshop launched the first National Park Green Guidance handbook highlighting how local businesses have achieved Green Tourism Business Awards and providing tips and guidance on how to achieve award status.
Leading the launch was the Green Tourism Business Scheme Senior Grading Advisor, Martin Webb from Perth in Scotland who wrote the book.
He said: “The award is a unique selling point. Not only does meeting the standards reduce environmental impact and improve cost savings but it improves public image. Businesses can achieve the standards by undertaking simple little practices like using low energy light bulbs, turning appliances off rather than leaving them on standby, using bin bags from recycled plastic and eco friendly cleaning products.”
In the last year nine businesses in the Broads gained Green Tourism Business Scheme Awards as part of a £23,000 ‘Greening the Park’ project launched by the Broads Authority. The Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund gave a grant of £13,000 for Green Business UK to audit and assess 15 Broads businesses, produce the book and stage two seminars to encourage more businesses to come on board.
Bruce Hanson, the Broads Authority’s Head of Tourism said: “The scheme is a wonderful tool for improving quality standards in the Broads and I am delighted at the enthusiasm with which local businesses have embraced the idea. Visitors are increasingly discerning and there is strong evidence that they will chose a green business in preference to one that is not environmentally aware. It not only helps the environment but makes very good business sense as well.”
The GTBS, based in Perth, Scotland is an accredited VisitScotland Quality Assurance scheme. Now internationally recognised it has been rolled out across Europe and is giving advice on the scheme in New Zealand.
21/02/2008
