As
SECTA Members, we all know that, no matter how good our hospitality,
attractions
or services,
what really brings visitors to South East Cornwall is the countryside,
the sea, the beautiful scenery, and our heritage. Whatever visitors
do while they’re here takes place against this wonderful backdrop
and it goes without saying that, to protect our own business interests,
we need to help protect this irreplaceable asset.
SECTA has some 140 Members and,
together with our customers, we make a significant impact on our
local environment through the creation of waste, consumption of water
and use of energy, for example. On a larger scale, if recent summers
are anything to go by, all of us have been affected by severe changes
in weather patterns which have resulted in an increase in storms
and flooding and a decrease in visitors; a direct impact of global
warming a bit too close to home!
That’s why SECTA introduced
The SECTA Green Acorn Award Scheme, a voluntary, “green tourism” Award
scheme specifically for Members. The project gives
recognition to those who want to do more to reduce
the impact of their
businesses, and that of their guests, on the environment. The scheme has the following
aims:
- to encourage Members to think about
the effect their business may have on their surroundings
- to suggest
a number of small ideas that could make a significant impact
- to
recognise those who adopt business practices that will help protect
our local environment
The scheme is purely voluntary
and only requires a number of relatively simple actions which should
cost you very little except, perhaps, a little more time. In fact,
similar schemes have proven to save participants money
on running costs, as well as providing the other benefits mentioned
below.
SECTA
recognises that not all Members will be able to go totally “green”.
However, if we all made only a few of the changes, collectively
we can make
a tangible difference to protecting our beautiful environment.
A Check List of recommendations is avaialble for download HERE
Green Acorn Award Application Form click HERE
The
back pages of your monthly SECTA
Newsletter and the Suppliers of Goods and Services
Section of the Membership List will give you details
of local suppliers who are SECTA
members.
The Green Audit Kit is
a self-help guide for small tourism enterprises and is available
for download at www.greenauditkit.org
The
Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project (CoaST) Network
provides the opportunity for an association of organisations
and individuals committed
to the successful development of sustainable tourism
in Cornwall to exchange ideas, knowledge and expertise
- this is your one-stop shop for help
and advice see www.cstn.org.uk,
email info@coastproject.co.uk tel.
01872 562057.
SECTA
Green Acorn Award Scheme