Green tourism has received a massive boost in County Down helping to boost the Northern Ireland figure to over 600%.
102 tourism businesses have won green tourism accreditations making County Down a more appealing place to spend a holiday.
Ards and North Down Borough and Newry, Mourne and Down District Councils secured funding from Invest Northern Ireland and the European Union to help businesses gain green accreditation, (at Bronze, Silver or Gold level) and to promote the area as a ‘green’ destination, appealing to the new eco-savvy holidaymakers and tour operators.
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Chairperson Councillor Naomi Bailie, Newry, Mourne and Down CouncilVenessa Drew, Ballyroney Cottage (Silver Award Winner)
Andrea Nicholas, MD, Green Tourism at the Cuan restaurant in Strangford.[/caption]
An intense workshop and advisory programme has now resulted in 102 businesses across County Down winning an award. There are 18 Gold awards, 36 Silver and 48 Bronze. Another 15 tourism businesses are awaiting accreditation. The awards are recognised by Tourism Northern Ireland.
The type of business who won awards range from self-caterers, B & Bs, visitor attractions to tourist information offices.
Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Naomi Bailie, said at a presentation in The Cuan in Strangford: “This is a huge boost for tourism in the area, giving us a major competitive edge and making sure our visibility and reasons to visit are at the front of tourists’ minds.
“Our plan has been to link our green businesses with the quality of the area’s natural environment making us a prominent destination.”
Life Adventure Centre at Castlewellan was one of the recipients who won a Gold award. They offer a range of services from equipment hire to coaching and guiding in a range of outdoor activities such as Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Kayaking etc.
Martin McMullan, Director said: “The overall experience of the Green Tourism audit has been fantastic, not just internally and not just through our ‘Gold’ accreditation, but through the ongoing engagement with so many like-minded local tourism businesses. Being Green has always been core to our business and it’s great to see the wider Mournes being formally accredited as a Green destination and getting the recognition that it so rightly deserves. ”
A major green marketing campaign for Strangford Lough and Mourne Mountains is targeting GB markets, with social media links to the Guardian Travel, Classic FM, Facebook and twitter. Many winning businesses have already adapted their web sites and been tweeting their award.
And 24 businesses from Ards and North Down also received Green Tourism accreditation – the largest sustainable certification programme of its kind – at an award ceremony held at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel on Thursday 18 June 2015.
Four local businesses received Gold awards, nine Silver and 11 Bronze. Another eight local tourism businesses are awaiting accreditation. The awards are recognised by Tourism Northern Ireland.
The type of business that won awards include self-caterers, B&B’s, visitor attractions and visitor information offices. Winners will be presented with their award at a special ceremony at the Clandedoye Lodge Hotel – one of the local businesses to receive a Silver award.
Details of these and other winners can be found at:
www.green-tourism.com/visit/northern-ireland
Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, said: “This is a very welcome initiative lifting tourism in our area. It has helped local businesses involved in tourism to become positvely competitive whist at the same time maintaining a high profile for County Down for tourists.”
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Award winners in Ards and North Down pictured at the Clandeboye Hotel.[/caption]
Barnwell Farm Cottages in Greyabbey won a Gold accreditation. The seven four star self-catering cottages originated from farm diversification. Michael Calvert, proprietor of Barnwell Farm Cottages said: “We were delighted to attain the Gold Green Tourism award. We have always been conscious of our impact on the beautiful environment in which we live, but the Green tourism know-how has enabled us to have a more structured approach to our activities that have an environmental impact. Ultimately this will benefit our guests and enhance the enjoyment of their stay at Barnwell Farm Cottages”
Pier 36, situated on the quayside in Donaghadee, is a well-known restaurant that also offers four star accommodation. It won a Silver award. Sarah Cochrane, Green Co-ordinator at Pier 36 said: “We see an award as a challenge and an honour to live up to, and our latest Green Tourism Award will keep the Pub on the Pier focused on improving in areas of sustainability both within the business and the town of Donaghadee. The food sourcing has come out strongest in our Green audit, along with offering senior customers smaller portions to limit food wastage.”
The Clandeboye Lodge Hotel is a four star contemporary country house hotel. It won a Silver award. Pim Dalm, Managing Director added: “Green Tourism has helped us in driving our “sustainability” journey, reducing costs, carbon emissions and waste whilst simultaneously improving customer satisfaction”.
A major green marketing campaign for Strangford Lough and Mourne Mountains is targeting Great Britian markets, with social media links to the Guardian Travel, Classic FM, Facebook and twitter. Many winning businesses have already adapted their web sites and been tweeting their award.
To find out more about things to do and see in Ards and North Down visit Ards Visitor Information Centre, 31 Regent Street, Newtownards or call 028 9182 6846; or visit Bangor Visitor Information Centre, 34 Quay Street, Bangor or call .
(The project was developed by local government officers who attracted funds from Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland. The local authorities aim to differentiate the Mournes & Ring of Gullion and Strangford Lough tourism destinations by having many businesses accredited and promoting themselves along with the area’s natural attributes. A major tourism marketing campaign is being implemented now).
Edinburgh-based tourism specialists BTS were appointed to manage the project, after competitive tender, with partners and global brand leaders Green Tourism, specialists in helping businesses gain accreditation as green businesses.
Participating businesses received advisory visits to identify how they can save money – on energy, supplies etc. – and introduce green business practices. Businesses then get evaluated for a Green Business tourism award. The project gives businesses two free years’ membership of the scheme and the chance to promote themselves as green. For more information, visit:
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