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Green tourism project makes waves in east Kent
'Green' or sustainable tourism has in the past been regarded as a niche sector of tourism applicable only to a limited range of activities. But for the Natural East Kent project, green tourism is broader and involves much more than paying lip service to ideals of corporate social responsibility. The Green Tourism Project aims to promote green tourism as a set of management principles to be applied to all tourism activities in businesses throughout east Kent. This ensures the benefits are felt in the local community whilst also minimising negative environmental and social impacts on the landscape and environment. Managed by the Kent Downs AONB unit, the project has already been successful with a variety of workshops and seminars set up for local businesses. Having launched the Green Tourism Business scheme in 2004, the project is looking to start its own online networking forum for east Kent's tourism businesses next year. Sarah Loftus, Sustainable Tourism Officer for AONB and the Natural East Kent Project, said: "Not only is east Kent a great place to live and work but it is a popular place to visit, with many people flocking to our coasts each year. But with its wonderfully varied landscape, wealth of history and culture, east Kent has so much more to offer and we want to see local businesses and communities getting involved.
Over the next year, a series of initiatives will be delivered to assist tourism businesses develop effective sustainable business practices. This will include campaigns such as Produced in Kent - an initiative aimed to promote locally produced foods with local producers and retailers. Janet Waghorn, East Kent Partnership, said: "Environmental, social and 'sustainability' issues are becoming increasingly mainstream, and east Kent is well placed to capitalise on this. Consumer awareness is rising and local tourism businesses that are able to prove their 'green credentials' are set to benefit if they get involved." The Natural East Kent project works with Tourism South East, Kent Tourism, Thanet and Dover District Councils and Canterbury City Council and aims to develop closer working relationships with all local tourism associations for the benefit of the environment and the local communities. For more information, email paul@nek.org.uk |
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As a part of its commitment to the sustainable regeneration of rural and coastal East Kent communities, the East Kent Partnership and Natural East Kent have launched the Green Tourism project to help make this possible.
"Since the launch of the project, we have provided a wide range of training and networking opportunities for tourism businesses. The Kent Sustainable Tourism Network will be launched in the New Year, as will a new visitor guide to the region. And there's still more to come!"