ARGUABLY the world’s leading sustainable tourism accreditation programme 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.
Now in their third year, the annual event honours those businesses and organisations that have done the most to promote sustainability within the industry by implementing cost-saving practices that help the environment, improve customer services and benefit the bottom line.
The winners of the awards were announced at the annual Green Tourism Conference held at the AT-Bristol Science Centre.
All of the finalists were chosen from over 2400 green tourism companies assessed for their innovation, cost savings and green ambassadorship during 2012-2013.
The winners of the GoldStar Awards 2013 are:
Best Activity Provider
Goldstar winner: Foot Trails, Bath, Somerset.
Highly commended: Slapton Ley Field Studies Centre, Kingsbridge, Devon.
Best B&B and Guest House
Goldstar winner: Hedgehog Corner Guest Accommodation, Axminster, Devon.
Highly commended: Upper Middle Road Farm, Brecon, Powys.
Best Holiday Park and Camping Site
Goldstar winne: Woodovis Park, Tavistock, Devon
Highly commended: Kelling Heath Holiday Park, Holt, Norfolk.
Best Conference Centre
Goldstar winner: Wembley National Stadium Limited, Wembley, Middlesex.
Highly commended: Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh
Best Hostel and Bunkhouse
Goldstar winner: Wern Watkin Bunkhouse, Crickhowell, Powys
Highly commended: Fraoch Lodge, Boat of Garten, Inverness‐shire.
Best Hotel
Goldstar winner: Winford Manor, Bristol, North Somerset.
Highly commended: Battlesteads Hotel, Hexham, Northumberland.
Highly commended: Langdale Hotel, Ambleside, Cumbria.
Best Self-Catering Accommodation
Goldstar winner: Banceithin Farm and Holiday Cottages, Llanon, Ceredigion.
Highly commended: Gorge View Cottage, Cheddar, Somerset.
Best Visitor Attraction
Goldstar winner Scottish Crannog Centre, Loch Tay, Perthshire
Highly commended: Highland Safaris, Aberfeldy, Perthshire.
Highly commended: Nevis Range, Fort William, Inverness‐shire.
Best Campus Accommodation
Goldstar winner: University College Durham University, Durham, County Durham.
Highly commended: Devonshire Hall University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire.
Best Corporate Office
Goldstar winner: Maximillion Events, Edinburgh, Midlothian.
Highly commended: Forest of Bowland AONB, Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire.
Best Restaurant / Café
Goldstar winner: Gylly Beach Cafe, Falmouth, Cornwall.
Highly commended: Drovers Rest Restaurant With Rooms & Cooking School, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys.
Green Tourism Destination Award
Goldstar winner: Brecon Beacons
Highly commended: Forest of Bowland
Highly commended: The Broads.
Tour Operator of the Year
Goldstar winner: Rabbies Trail Burners, Edinburgh, Midlothian.
Highly commended: Scot Mountain Holidays, Boat of Garten, Inverness‐shire
Best Tourism Information Centre / Visitor Information Centre
Goldstar winner: Once Brewed TIC, Hexham, Northumberland.
Highly commended: Poole Tourist Information Centre, Poole, Dorset.
People’s Choice Award
Goldstar winner: Malkin Tower Farm, Blacko, Lancashire
Highly commended: Devonshire Hall University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Andrea Nicholas, director of Green Tourism, said: “The Goldstar Awards are a recognition of the best of the best in Britain when it comes to creating and maintaining a thriving sustainable tourism industry.
“A record number of 63 green tourism businesses from across the UK were shortlisted for the Goldstar Awards this year. The finalists represent the top three per cent of Green Tourism businesses in the UK.”
One new category introduced this year was the Green Tourism Destination Award.
Andrea Nicholas 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.”
This year’s Green Conference and awards ceremony was sponsored by Triodos Bank, Ecover, NIBE, SaveMoneyCutCarbon and Kimberly-Clark Professional.
Green Tourism was launched 16 years ago and is now recognised as the biggest of its kind in the world, having helped nearly 10,000 businesses improve their commitment to sustainability.
It is considered one of the most rigorous of its kind and is the only certification programme independently validated by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) on behalf of VisitEngland, VisitWales and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and endorsed by VisitScotland and Failte Ireland.
The organisation has become a world leader in highlighting the importance of protecting environments, respecting local cultures, supporting communities, conserving natural resources and minimising pollution.
Ends
Note to Editors.
For further information on the GTBS, the Goldstar Awards and Green Tourism Week please visit www.green-tourism.com
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Contact: Andrea Nicholas
Phone: 01738632162
Email: gtbs@green-business.co.uk
Website: http://www.green-tourism.com
