National Green Awards for Bowland
The world's leading sustainable tourism accreditation programme – The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) – has honoured Britain's most environmentally friendly businesses at a prestigious national awards ceremony to mark the culmination of Green Tourism Week. The 2013 Green Tourism Goldstar Awards saw more than 2,400 contenders whittled down to a shortlist of 61 businesses nominated for 15 awards.
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The Forest of Bowland AONB were delighted to be recipients of the Highly Commended Green Destination Award. The award was presented to the AONB on 8th November at the GTBS conference in Bristol as part of Green Tourism Week.
Since 2005 the Forest of Bowland has been supporting businesses and community groups to develop tourism with sustainability at the heart. Visitors to the area can experience some wonderful countryside while staying in and visiting businesses that are committed to conserving the environment.
The Green Tourism Destination Award was a new category introduced for 2013. Andrea Nicholas, Director of GTBS added: “We introduced the Green Tourism Destination Award this year as we find the support and commitment of the Destination Organisations so important for encouraging businesses and promoting Green Tourism to their visitors. We wanted to be able to highlight some of the excellent activities and projects that have been rolled out in these Destinations.”
As well as the destination award, three businesses in the Forest of Bowland AONB were also shortlisted at the awards ceremony. They represent the top 3% of green accredited businesses in the country – Malkin Tower Farm, Blacko; Caldertop Cottage, Calder Vale and Waddow Lodge Gardens, Waddington. Malkin Tower Farm also came away with the People's Choice Award.
Hetty Byrne, Sustainable Tourism Officer for the AONB, received the award in Bristol. She said: "We are delighted to receive this national accolade as it has put Bowland on the map as one of the UK's greenest destinations. There was strong competition from some fantastic destinations and protected landscapes across the country, so our collective efforts and dedication from the businesses has really paid off."