Newcastle and Gateshead’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) has announced on World Earth Day (22nd April) that it has gained a Bronze Green Tourism certification for its work to make the area a ‘regenerative tourism’ beacon.
The internationally recognised mark has been awarded to NGI as part of a Destination North East England project to provide visitor economy businesses and organisations in the area with access to a fully funded Green Tourism membership. The organisation can now proudly display a distinctive green plaque outside its office, demonstrating to partners, visitors and the businesses it works with, that NGI is willing to practice what it preaches, leading the way by participating in the accreditation it promotes to businesses.
As the lead delivery partner for England’s first Destination Development Partnership Pilot, NewcastleGateshead Initiative has been at the forefront of efforts to transform the visitor economy in the area, helping to launch a ‘world-first’ regenerative visitor economy framework in September last year alongside fellow Local Visitor Economy Partnerships Visit Northumberland and Visit County Durham.
NGI also committed to taking Newcastle into the Global Destination Sustainability Index for the first time, helping the region to benchmark its sustainability performance against some of the world’s most pioneering regenerative destinations.
The award is the culmination of a number of initiatives within NGI, including the establishment of a team of sustainability champions who have been tasked with guiding the organisation’s staff towards making greener choices. From simple interventions like monthly bitesize training opportunities for the team, to embedding regenerative tourism principles in NGI’s event delivery, the certification process has allowed the visitor economy body to assess every part of its operation.
NGI, which also operates the area’s Convention Bureau has recently announced a partnership with event technology provider event.decision which helps event organisers to understand the impact of their event on the environment, and guide them to make more informed decisions from using local suppliers to encouraging sustainable transport options. The technology forms part of a wider sustainable business events toolkit which includes a plethora of hints, tips and advice for organisers.
Destination North East England, England’s first Destination Development Partnership Pilot has ambitions for the region to become a globally significant destination for regenerative tourism and this latest announcement reaffirms the commitment from visitor economy bosses to ensure the industry leaves a positive impact on our people, places and planet.
Shelley Johnson, NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s Head of Market Insights, who has led on the organisation’s regenerative tourism projects, said:
“The Green Tourism certification programme has provided us with a clear improvement framework as well as expert advice. We’ve been adding to and enhancing what we do to work sustainably and how we support our range of stakeholders – from staff and suppliers to the city’s visitors and convention bureau clients – to operate sustainably and visit responsibly too. The bronze Green Tourism badge is now a really simple way for us to demonstrate our dedication to sustainability, and we know exactly what we need to do to achieve silver and gold in the future.
“There are still fully funded Green Tourism memberships available for visitor economy businesses in North East England. I’d encourage anyone thinking about a third-party sustainability certification to sign up now and join the increasing ranks of forward-thinking visitor economy businesses who have demonstrated their green commitments in this way.”