South West tourism businesses are collectively responsible for the future of sustainable tourism in the region says Chris Hines MBE
“South West tourism businesses can be a force for good in the fight for survival of the planet” according to former Eden Project Sustainability Director, Chris Hines MBE, speaking at inaugural event, The Tourism Summit, in Exeter this week.
“Being more sustainable is an investment in the future for the South West’s tourism businesses and tourism providers have a shared responsibility to encourage visitors to travel less but stay longer”, said Hines speaking at the event.
Attended by tourism and hospitality leaders from across the South West, the ‘Tourism for Good’-themed conference brought together the best and brightest minds in the sector in response to the social, economic and climate challenges facing the region and the wider World. Inspiration was the order of the day provoking hope for the future, with a vision of thinking local and acting global to build new communities and create a sustainable future for tourism across the South West.
The Tourism Summit, hosted at Winslade House, Exeter on November 23rd 2022, invited ambitious hospitality leaders to hear from experts and academics on the theme of ‘Tourism for Good’. The event comprised a series of talks and workshops and explored how the tourism sector can have a positive impact on people and the planet while continuing to thrive.
Contributors included Chris Hines MBE, former Sustainability Director of the Eden Project and chairman of Surfers Against Sewage and Behavioural Futurists Will and Nadia Higham, from Next Big Thing Consulting. The speakers described a hopeful future for tourism.
“Well managed tourism brings many benefits to society and the environment. There has never been a more important time to embed some of these principles in how you run your business. We need to work collectively and take action to ensure the future of sustainable tourism across the region and beyond. “, added Chris Hines MBE.
The ‘Tourism for Good’ conference was the brainchild of Clockwork Marketing’s Clare Bushby and Sound View Media’s Gareth Allen. Both have decades of experience working with tourism and hospitality businesses across the UK.
“We’re acutely aware of the challenges facing all businesses and organisations in 2022 and the “permacrisis” we find ourselves in. When so many issues are being thrown at us from all directions it’s difficult to decide where our priorities lie – today’s event helped people find a way through the mire and point them to a prosperous future”, said Gareth Allen, Managing Director, Sound View Media.
“Hospitality and tourism are at a crossroads. There are greater than ever financial pressures on the industry and its impact on climate change cannot be ignored. Tourism for Good is about sharing a vision for a brighter future for tourism, working together to place inclusivity, sustainability and authenticity at the forefront”, said Clare Bushby, Managing Director Clockwork Marketing
The conference closed with the launch of The Tourism for Good Collective, a community of businesses who’ll share stories of good practice and collaborate to ensure a prosperous future for the industry and the planet. For more details visit www.thetourismsummit.co.uk
Photo credit Becky Craven.
