As part of the NEK Initiative's commitment to support the sustainable regeneration of rural and coastal East Kent communities, the Green Tourism Project, in partnership with Kent Tourism Association and managed by the Kent Downs AONB Unit, ran between April 2007 and July 2008.
'Green' or sustainable tourism is not a niche sector of tourism, but rather a set of management principles to be applied to all tourism activities, ensuring economic benefits to the host communities whilst minimising negative environmental and social impacts on the landscape and local population.
Environmental, social and 'sustainability' issues are becoming increasingly mainstream, consumer awareness is rising and tourism businesses that are ahead of the game are well placed to benefit if able to prove their 'green credentials'.
The main objectives of the Green Tourism Project were to:
- support tourism and related businesses in developing sustainable business practices
- engage visitors in NEK's landscape, heritage, cultural activities, local produce, gastronomy and crafts
- encourage and support active local community participation
Throughout the year, a series of initiatives were delivered to assist tourism businesses develop effective sustainable business practices.
Green Tourism Project activities
- Promotion of the Green Tourism Business Scheme to NEK tourism businesses
The GTBS is an accreditation scheme for tourism businesses recognising and rewarding environmental and social best practice, and providing marketing and training opportunities. - Provision of an online networking forum and advisory service
A new online networking forum, with a support and advice service for tourism businesses, will be launched. - Training seminars and workshops for tourism businesses
A series of rural tourism and IT related training courses and workshops for tourism businesses were delivered from October 07 through to March 08. - New publication for NEK
A new NEK visitor leaflet was published. Click here to download. - Familiarisation of NEK for tourism information centres
Familiarisation trips were organised for tourism information centres and other interested parties. - Working with communities to develop Country Breaks
Assisting local tourism businesses and communities establish itineraries (Country Breaks) that include all elements of a stay in NEK. - Local rail network promotional campaign, click here to download
Building on the successful relationship established with the Southeastern railway company, we collaborated on a poster campaign – a series of posters to promote the use of sustainable transport to access NEK.
The programme was supported by Tourism South East, Kent Tourism, Thanet and Dover District Councils and Canterbury City Council.
Organisations supporting tourism in NEK and beyond:
- Explore Kent
- Visit Kent
- Kent Downs AONB Unit - sustainable tourism
- White Cliffs Country tourism information
- Thanet tourism information
- Canterbury tourism information
- Visit South East England
Local initiatives, Trusts and Countryside Management Projects:
- Thanet Coast Project
- Kentish Stour Countryside Project
- White Cliffs Countryside Project
- The Blean
- The Lydden Valley
- Kent Wildlife Trust
Local Tourism Associations:
- White Cliffs Countryside Tourism Association
- Dover Guest House Association
- White Cliffs Dover Hotel & Guest House Group
- Isle of Thanet Tourism Association
Tourism bodies that provide useful information to the tourism industry:
For further information on the sustainable development work of the Kent Downs AONB Unit, go to www.kentdowns.org.uk
