eco breaks in England

I work for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and currently act as project officer for the Dolphin Space Programme, an accreditation scheme for wildlife tour boats in the Moray Firth, Scotland, (www.dolphinspace.org).

Ours is a local and very specific accreditation/eco-labelling scheme for wildlife tour boats in this area, as its very sensitive for bottlenose dolphins and a range of other marine wildlife. However, we work closely with various other organisations that provide different types of eco-labels for tourism activity providers. For example, the WiSe scheme (www.wisescheme.org) provides accreditation for wildlife tour boats throughout the UK and I believe the Green Tourism Business Scheme is currently developing an eco-quality label for activity providers and visitor attractions to complement its accommodation labelling scheme. Wild Scotland, the Scottish wildlife tourism association also ask all their members to sign up to their charter to ensure that their interactions with wildlife are done in a responsible way.

You also ask for responses from other UK based eco-holiday providers. I'm launching my own eco-holiday company 'Wild at Heart' (www.wildatheart-ecoholidays.com) in September 2008 running holidays, short breaks, workshops and single day tours in the north of Scotland. Having been both an academic and a manager in the ecotourism field I felt it was now time to step into the industry myself as a provider. Wild at Heart's aim is to provide memorable and inspiring experiences which help people to re-connect to nature while learning to live more lightly and joyfully on the planet. For more information please feel free to contact me or have a look at our new website, www.wildatheart-ecoholidays.com

Many thanks

Deb

Deborah Benham
Wild at Heart Eco-Holidays
Moray,Scotland
Web: www.wildatheart-ecoholidays.com
Email: deborahbenham@wildatheart-ecoholidays.com
Tel: 01309 674768 or 07921 106144

I think it's natural for English and you had to expect this kind of behaviour - we care where we live and it goes along with sheer common sense - that's our world, at the end:)
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Eco-travel is the newest trend when it comes to spending a nice vacation without feeling guilty. England is known for adopting this concept and I must say I wasn't expecting this. I took a trip with Canal boat holidays and our guide told us about the eco-places and how we should try to encourage this in order to keep our favorite places clean. If only everyone would do this...

I would like to ask for readers’ views on labelling schemes for ecotourism in the UK.

First, some background:

Nature Travels specialises in ecotourism experiences in Sweden. We currently work with 20 local partner companies in Sweden to offer a range of activities from wilderness canoeing to “active accommodation” log cabins to dog sledding.

All our partners in Sweden have received a national quality mark of ecotourism, reflecting their high standards of customer service, environmental practice and health and safety.

When we initially set up the company in 2005, the availability of this national quality label was an excellent way for us to identify potential partners and to guarantee high standards, not just in terms of ecotourism but in every aspect of the company’s operations.

And now to the main point:

I am aware of various local, or piecemeal, ecotourism labelling systems in the UK as well as a number of directories and portals, etc, for green holidays, but I have not come across a general quality mark that is also applicable to activities.

I would therefore be very interested to hear from any Green Traveller readers re the following:

- What is your experience of the various eco-quality labels for ecotourism in the UK? Are you aware of a system which is applicable to activity providers as opposed to accommodation only?
- If you yourself represent or are familiar with an activity company in the UK based on ecotourism principles, we would be very interested to hear from you.

Email: admin@naturetravels.co.uk.

Many thanks in advance.

Bob Carter
Nature Travels
UK specialists for responsible outdoor experiences in Sweden
Website: www.naturetravels.co.uk
Tel: 01929 463774

More information on Nature Travels ecotourism holidays in Sweden is available on our website at www.naturetravels.co.uk. Our popular Timber Rafting on Klaralven experience was recently featured in the Sunday Times - for the online version of the article please see http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/holiday_type/water_sports/article3639948.ece

www.brignallmill.co.uk

jane weston

Richard,

I've just had a look at your Green-Business.co.uk site. it looks pretty good, and I hope to make use of it in future holiday considerations.

One of the biggest boon for Green tourism could simply be promoting holidaying in the UK. Britain has superb great places to visit - the Lake Distict, the Highlands, Cornwall and any of the large cities - London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, etc. Being more local there is a reduced need to fly, all keeping the sky a little bit cleaner.

Having a young family I take my breaks locally, often in holiday parks. Not having to endure two tired and impatient kids at an airport is no small benefit. Living near Bristol we recently drove to the relatively local Brynowen Holiday Park. As well as a resonably short journey there and back we had a lovely, relaxing time in and around the park. And we took some comfort from knowing, that by not flying, we didn't help pump excessive CO2 into the air.

There is a new way to travel world-wide with a reduced environmental impact... www.GreenPleasures.com. See Press Release below...

Eric Woodroof, Ph.D.

SANTA BARBARA, Friday, January 5th, 2007 - As leading scientists around the planet continue to study potential solutions to the growing problem of global warming, many everyday citizens are searching for ways they can combat climate change at an individual level. One scientist, Eric Woodroof, Ph.D, has created a convenient way for people to help heal the planet – while leisurely enjoying a vacation. He has created a program that allows you to save thousands of dollars on exotic trips and the dollars from your purchase help reduce global warming. Dr. Woodroof, who has helped organizations save millions in cost-reduction programs, says, “You can have fun and slow global warming”. Woodroof’s new sustainability program: GreenPleasures.com offers a unique solution for anyone that wants to take a vacation, or those that want to give a unique travel gift for weddings, graduations, or as a business gift/incentive.

Here is how it works, carbon emissions (greenhouse gases) are generated by driving, traveling or just everyday living. To mitigate this impact, GreenPleasures purchases carbon emission credits that are greater than the average emissions generated by its clients’ when they go on vacation. For example, when a traveler buys a 7 day vacation, Green Pleasures purchases 4,400 lbs of carbon credits (equivalent to planting nearly one acre of trees), which more than offsets the carbon emissions impact of your trip. Woodroof says, “This is a new vacation concept, and our clients love it because, while on vacation they are helping to slow global warming.” Laurie Moote of Texas, who just returned from the Riviera Maya in Mexico states, “I would definitely do this again…helping the environment while enjoying time with family on a wonderful vacation- it doesn’t get any better! We also saved 50% on the trip by using the program.”

Discover more about this program at www.GreenPleasures.com, where anyone can get a vacation (or give away vacations as gifts), which will be cherished by people and loved by our Earth. ####

See also www.organicholidays.com

Hello Loki, I am currently producing a green tourism guide to the UK called ecoescape which is due to be published in spring. I can send you a copy (free of charge) if you like. Our website is www.ecoescape.org or email me at info@ecoescape.org
Thanks, Laura

Thanks - this is a very helpful reply

There's an excellent searchable directory of green places to stay on the website of the Green Tourism Business Scheme: www.green-business.co.uk. It recently certified its 1,000th accommodation.

Also, Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay guide to British B&Bs points out those B&Bs that are going the extra mile to be eco-friendly. Some of the English ones are mentioned in an article on Times Online.

Also, responsibletravel.com lists 10 places to stay in England (search on 'England' and 'Accommodation only').