Global
economists forecast continuing international tourism growth, ranging between
three and six percent annually, depending on the location. As one of the
world's largest and fastest growing industries, this continuous growth will
place great stress on remaining biologically diverse habitats and indigenous
cultures, which are often used to support mass tourism. Tourists who promote
sustainable tourism are sensitive to these dangers and seek to protect
tourist destinations, and to protect tourism as an industry. Sustainable
tourists can reduce the impact of tourism in many ways, including:
informing themselves of the culture, politics, and economy of the
communities visited;
anticipating and respecting local cultures' expectations and assumptions;
contributing to intercultural understanding and tolerance
supporting the integrity of local cultures by favouring businesses which
conserve cultural heritage and traditional values
supporting local economies by purchasing local goods and participating with
small, local businesses; and
conserving resources by seeking out businesses that are environmentally
conscious, and by using the least possible amount of non-renewable resources
At Helsbury Park we recognise that we are incredibly lucky to live in
such a beautiful place and that everything we do has an environmental and
social cost. As a result we are committed to continuous improvements in
environmental and social performance to promote Sustainable Tourism and to
keep Helsbury Park and the surrounding area beautiful and thriving for
future generations.
We do this by:
Increasing the efficiency of energy use, for example by using low energy
light bulbs, solar thermal for heating water and a green electricity tariff.
Reducing waste by buying goods locally with a minimum of packaging,
reusing shopping bags and cardboard boxes, and recycling as much material as
possible.
Minimising food miles and supporting the local economy by promoting local
farm shops.
Using environmentally friendly and Fair Trade products.
Ensuring that waste and effluent is disposed of in a responsible manner -
food waste is composted, effluent processed through a septic tank, soakaway
and bio-treatment plant and surface water is handled through these and reed
beds.
Farm minimally without using harmful chemicals and fertilisers, composting
manure for maximum benefit to the soil and minimum risk to the environment.
Maximising biodiversity and maintaining varied habitats.
Continuous monitoring.
Supporting community organisations.
We have joined the
Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project
(known as COAST) and
we've been a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) as an indication of our commitment
to Sustainable Tourism. GTBS is the most successful environmental
accreditation body of tourism related businesses in Europe including
accommodation providers, visitor attractions, tour operators and conference
facilities. We've attained a Gold award for our strategy which we continue to follow.
You can help us in simple ways, please:
Recycle your waste and compost uncooked kitchen waste in the bins
provided.
Switch off appliances, lights and taps when not in use, and report
dripping taps.
Put sanitary waste, nappies, etc in the bin not down the loo.
Use the washing lines in preference to tumble drying.
Do not leave doors and windows open when the heating is on.
Consider having a day on site or using a bike to reduce car use.
Use only our natural cleaning and laundry products.
Do not throw away empty shampoo, laundry and cleaning product bottles or
the bottles from your complimentary water as they can all be refilled.
Look out for The Green Nag, you will find this little logo dotted around
to remind you where there is a green option.
Future Plans
To continue to make improvements in all areas of our business; including
installing solar panels for water heating on all cottages and to enter our
land into an Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
2011 Update
We can confirm that we have entered into a Higher Level Stewardship agreement with DEFRA, installed solar thermal water heating systems on 4 of our buildings and also Solar PV on three more!
And here's a summary of our solar thermal performance for 2010
We have joined the
