Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day! Today is a special day when we celebrate our planet and renew our commitment to protecting it. It's a cause which is very close to our hearts. We are passionate about providing sustainable cycling and walking holidays in the UK's National Forest, whilst minimising our impact on the environment. Our commitment to sustainable tourism has helped us win the accolade of a Green Tourism Gold Award, as well as being named Leicestershire's winning Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism business in 2022. We believe that tourism can make a positive contribution to our planet, and we strive to provide unforgettable travel experiences that also benefit the environment. On this Earth Day, here's some of the ways that we “Invest in our Planet” - the theme for 2023.
"We must join together in our fight for the green revolution, and for the health of future generations. The time is now to Invest In Our Planet," said Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG.
5% Discount For Guests Arriving by Train
One of the biggest impacts of tourism on the environment is transport. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism is responsible for about 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To help reduce our carbon footprint, we encourage our guests to travel sustainably and offer a 5% discount to all cycling and walking holiday guests who arrive by train. We are also members of the Good Journey scheme, which promotes car-free sightseeing and activities in the UK. We adapt the start our walking and e-bike holidays from local train stations to eliminate the need for a taxi or bus ride.
Sustainable Exploration
Our luxury Ebike and walking holidays are a great way to explore the region, car free. Even better, you see far more when you ditch the car and explore on foot or by bike. Low daily mileage, on both our EBike and walking holidays, allows guests the time to travel slow and get to know the region. The beautiful and diverse countryside of the National Forest is packed with places to explore, yet remains largely undiscovered by mass tourism. Guests visiting the area can feel confident that they're positively contributing to the local economy and can enjoy walking and cycling along peaceful tracks, with just birdsong for company.
Reduce Waste
Reducing waste is dear to our hearts and something we can all do to help protect our environment. A simple way we help is by encouraging guests to carry reusable coffee and water cups. Many businesses offer discounts to customers who use reusable cups, so it's a win-win situation! We also reuse paper maps and information packs in the business, minimise printed materials, and use recycled paper for anything printed.
Supporting Local Communities
Our Leicestershire sustainable tourism award recognises our commitment to supporting local businesses and communities. The National Forest has been our home for nearly 40 years, so we have a strong personal interest in supporting the local community. We believe that sustainable tourism should benefit everyone involved, and we work closely with local communities to ensure that our business helps to create positive social and economic impacts. We handpick the very best accommodation in the area, with eco-friendly practices being a key part of our decision-making process. Some of our local hotels and bed and breakfasts are award-winning sustainable businesses in their own right, with kitchen gardens to feed guests, line-drying laundry policies, strong waste reduction policies, and key local employers. Community programs have been at the heart of the National Forest development, giving birth to community orchards, woodland management programs, well-being activities, and many different green businesses, as well as helping develop a sustainable tourism infrastructure within the area. Guests can experience many of these on our walking and cycling routes. The creation of the National Forest has also led to many thriving local businesses, showcasing woodland crafts, forest bathing, kayaking, bird-watching, and many more sustainable activities. We love sharing these experiences with our guests, who often build one or two activities into their holiday package.
Eat and Shop Local
One of the great pleasures on holiday is sampling the local produce. This region has a proud heritage of food production and we love sharing this with our guests. Melbourne was known for the quality and number of market gardens. Leicester is where the Vegan Society was formed in 1944. Burton upon Trent is known worldwide as the British beer capital. We encourage guests to sample the mouthwatering produce from a wide range of local food and drink businesses in the area. We also encourage our guests to support local shops as they travel. We even collect any large purchases for them and transport them with their luggage. With fabulous artisan craft shops, wonderful boutiques and quirky shops packed with delightful gifts, shopping locally is a real delight.
Donation to The National Forest for Every Booking
We're lucky to operate in and around the National Forest, one of the UK's most ambitious reforestation projects. Trees play a vital role in helping fight climate change, as well as transforming the landscape and local communities. The National Forest is fully committed to protecting our earth, and so are we. That's why we support the development of the National Forest with a donation for every booking made.
We believe that tourism can be a force for good, and we're dedicated to creating unforgettable walking and EBike cycling holidays that also benefit the planet. This Earth Day, we encourage everyone to do their part in protecting our beautiful planet, and we welcome you to join us on our journey towards sustainable tourism. HAPPY EARTH DAY - LET'S MAKE IT COUNT.