Cumbria Tourism Sustainable Development & Environmental Policy

 

Cumbria has pioneered many of the principles and practices which broadly define the concept of sustainable tourism.  There are many differing views on the definitions of sustainable tourism, each giving a slightly different emphasis on the impacts and activities associated with tourism. Whichever way you define sustainable tourism, the core theme is the same: the environment, economy, host communities and visitors are inextricably linked together and sustainable tourism is essentially a balancing of these core elements.

 

Cumbria Tourism achievements in promoting sustainable tourism are impressive; these are just some of the key initiatives:

 

Ø      Established with partners, the Tourism and Conservation Partnership and pioneering Visitor Payback Scheme

Ø      Championed Cumbria’s achievement of attaining Green Globe Destination Accreditation – a world first.

Ø      Undertook the first baseline survey of sustainable practices by tourism businesses in Cumbria  

Ø      Successfully lobbied for a change in National Park Authority policy to recognise the importance of tourism to the local economy  

 

Cumbria Tourism - Sustainable development objectives

 

Cumbria Tourism seeks to deliver sustainable development through the advancement of the following objectives:

 

Ø      Carbon: To encourage the minimisation of carbon emissions associated with tourism business and visitor behaviour in Cumbria.

 

Ø      Water: To encourage opportunities for efficient water use, reuse and recycling.

 

Ø      Waste: To encourage the reduction of waste through design, and to maximise the reuse and recycling.

 

Ø      Materials: To assist in the identification, sourcing, and use of environmentally and socially responsible materials.

 

Ø      Biodiversity and ecology: To protect and enhance the internationally important biodiversity and ecology of Cumbria.

 

Ø      Land, water, noise, air: To encourage the optimum positive and minimum adverse impacts on land, water, noise, and air quality.

 

Ø      Supporting communities: To encourage the creation of high quality, safe mixed-use public space, housing and facilities adaptable to future climates.

 

Ø      Transport and mobility: To give priority to walking, cycling and the use of public transport where facilities and services exist.

 

Ø      Access: To encourage the improved access for all to Cumbria meeting the principles of inclusive design.

 

Ø      Employment and business: To help create new employment and business opportunities locally, regionally and nationally.

 

Ø      Health and well-being: To encourage tourism businesses and visitors to partake in healthy lifestyle opportunities.

 

Ø      Inclusion: To involve, communicate, and consult effectively with stakeholders and the diverse communities using Cumbria as a visitor destination.

 

Cumbria Tourism recognises that advancing these objectives requires a robust management approach, with sustainability and value for money being core components of decision making.

 

The management of sustainability requires it to be integrated into project procurement policies, project requirements, project definitions, and specific contracts across the programme. The sustainable development outcome sought will largely be determined by literally thousands of programme execution decisions by Cumbria Tourism staff, suppliers and the actions of tourism businesses and visitors to Cumbria.

 

Decisions will include the environmental, social, and economic considerations along with cost, schedule, and quality. In so doing, Cumbria Tourism will strive to create the ‘triple bottom line’ of successful outcomes for the environment, the economy, and society.

 

Procurement policy will be published in 2007 and will include a commitment to sustainability being a core component of the many procurements, all achieving Cumbria Tourism’s value-for-money criteria.

 

Related strategy sections and other documents:

Business Plan

Marketing Strategy

Procurement Policy