Press release regarding CoaST Ambassador Businesses.

1. Looking after the goose that lays the golden eggs<br />A small organisation, based just outside Truro is making a big impact on the Cornwall tourism scene – and benefitting the environment at the same time. <br />The Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project (CoaST for short) has a simple aim - to promote ‘one planet tourism’, or tourism that benefits people, environment and the economy. Although the Project is aimed at making tourism in Cornwall sustainable, there is a growing interest from regional, national and global organisations. Furthermore CoaST is increasingly used as a model and is actively helping set up sustainable tourism projects in much of England as well as Scotland, Northern Ireland, Brittany and Spain. <br />Tourism is Cornwall’s biggest employer, accounting for nearly a quarter of the whole local economy. However it also has a huge impact on the physical environment of the county. <br />CoaST works in partnership with is part-funded by the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership and now has a network of over a thousand members across Cornwall and the UK who range from B&B owners to large local hotels and tourist attractions. They share information on all kinds of environmental issues, including carbon off-setting, energy conservation, wildlife protection, farming, recycling, non-chemical cleaning, solar panels, sustainable transport, local sourcing, and generally how to offer visitors to Cornwall a cleaner, greener and socially sustainable holiday experience. Their Ambassador businesses are breaking new ground in terms of showing how local businesses can become leaders in sustainable tourism. It’s about trading for people and planet – making social and environmental “profit” from working in the tourism industry.<br />CoaST Director Manda Brookman says: “It is all about joining stuff up, helping people see the connection between what we do and the impact it has economically, socially and environmentally. Then we help them move on to the next bit, when two or three things come together in someone's mind and everything starts to add up. For example they might start with a few energy saving tips, and as the bills drop use the money to draft-proof premises, thus saving money again to take the next energy saving step and so on.” <br />Membership of CoaST is open to organisations, statutory bodies, businesses, community groups and individuals who support the development of sustainable tourism. <br />One such tourism business is The Hen House at Manaccan, in the Southern section of the Cornwall AONB, run by Sandy and Gary Pulfry. They have been flying the sustainable tourism banner for some time.<br />Sandy Pulfrey, says,<br />“Visitor Engagement is the biggest reward of all and the guests love it! We have put cloth shopping bags, hessian waste carriers to segregate bottles and papers in the rooms and we have compost caddies and compost bins for any waste food in the holiday cottage. <br />We offer holidays which offer time to read and think and talk which give us the chance to set the seeds whilst they are here. <br />This ultimately leads to a barrage of questions on all things sustainable-swotting up all the time as they look to us for guidance.”<br />CoaST is now taking its message into the national and international sphere. Harold Goodwin is Professor of Sustainable Tourism, International Centre for Responsible Tourism, Leeds Met University:<br />“CoaST is at the cutting edge in the UK, tell it like it is and work with their member businesses to meet the challenge. In this, their ambassador businesses take a lead and spread their message through the industry and the supply chain.”<br />For more information: www.coastproject.co.uk<br />or www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk<br />Panel<br />CoaST produce a ‘Visitor Charter’ which tourist businesses can adapt to their own style and needs. It covers the following topics:<br />Reduce, Reuse, Recycle<br />In Cornwall we take our recycling very seriously, as we hope you do at home! <br />Reduce traffic: walk, cycle or use public transport<br />Walking and cycling are great ways to see the area without adding to traffic. <br />Stay Local, Eat Local, Buy Local, See Local<br />Support local producers and services - this way your visit has a real benefit to the communities of Cornwall. <br />Chill out – switch off…<br />Enjoy a fabulous, light touch holiday…..switch off lights and dripping taps etc<br />When in Rome…..<br />Get to know all the nooks and crannies of local knowledge – like beach safety, local cultural events, and the Countryside Code.<br />Photos: The Hen House B&B; Sandy & Gary Pulfrey; The CoaST team.<br />By-line: Marja van Loef, Sustainable Tourism Network Manager<br />