Isle of Wight tourism businesses are being offered the chance to discover the benefits of going green this month with Visit Isle of Wight’s pioneering Green Star scheme – which rewards organisations that actively promote the use of sustainable travel and the scheme has been given a new look for 2019.
Green credentials of a business will be put to the test and awarded a bronze, silver or gold status, making it clear to visitors what they are dong to protect the environment and the Green Star team will be looking for businesses that make the effort to encourage sustainable travel, cycle storage at their premises, or attend ‘familiarisation’ trips to learn about the many green opportunities available to them.
Nicola Rogers, Visitor Travel Project Manager, said:
‘National trends tell us that visitors are looking for more eco-friendly ways to travel and that they want to immerse themselves in local communities. Our Drive Less See More campaign is still as relevant as ever, with numerous cycle tracks, footpaths and hidden gems that are too easy to miss if you’re driving.
We have so much to offer here on the Isle of Wight, from the Island Line down the east to the fantastic bus network that spans across the whole island, and it all adds to the visitor experience. I’d urge anyone in the tourism industry to come along and hear more about our future plans.’
The Green Star scheme will launch at Monkey Haven. Businesses representatives are invited to find out more about becoming a member and enjoy free entrance to the park as well.
UP-DATED.
Tourism businesses took advantage of new look green travel scheme when Visit Isle of Wight’s scheme to promote sustainable travel for visitors was relaunched this week.
The Green Star programme launched in 2016, and now organisers are hoping even more Island businesses will take advantage of the scheme.
Green Star has three levels of membership – bronze, silver and gold. Just a few steps can get a tourism business on the path to being given Green Star accreditation – from being aware of sustainable travel options, to providing electric charging points for cars and bikes and this scheme forms part of a wider programme in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council and the Department of Transport.
Monkey Haven hosted the event giving businesses who attended an opportunity to take a look around the multi-award winning attraction.