New Forest

The New Forest swept the board at the internationally recognised Responsible Tourism Awards, beating venues from around the world to pick up Best Destination, Best Personal Contribution and Overall Winner at a special ceremony in London's Docklands.

The New Forest has introduced a number of green initiatives including a major car free travel promotion, offering electric vehicles for hire and promoting train travel.

Initiatives

The  'Green Leaf' scheme encourages hotels and B&Bs to offer discounts for visitors who have left their cars at home, use public transport and the Forest's network of cycle routes.

The New Forest Cycle Network

Locally-produced food is promoted through the introduction of the New Forest Breakfast made from produce reared or grown in the Forest.

There was also personal recognition for Anthony Climpson OBE, Tourism Destination Manager of New Forest District Council who was presented with the Best Personal Contribution award for his work over 20 years on the New Forest's sustainable tourism strategy.

Talking  on BBC Radio Solent's Good Life programme, Anthony Climpson said that the recognition showed just what an internationally important asset the New Forest is and how the Commoners have maintained the Forest's environment over the years:

"When you are familiar with something, you take it for granted. Commoning is a unique activity and the fact that it's still going after all these years and having such an impact on the place, its culture and its way of life is something which people need to understand more fully - particularly locally."

Eco-tourism

With eco-tourism and the environmental effects of the holiday industry high on the agenda, Anthony believes promoting responsible tourism is nothing new for the New Forest:

Anthony Climpson celebrates his award

"We've been doing what is considered ethical and green tourism since before the phrase came about.  We've been doing it because the Forest is a wonderful place and tourism needs to support that. 

"It's a great place to live and a great place to have tourism but unless we do it properly and look after the Forest, that'll evaporate over short period of time."

With 13.5 million visitor days spent in the New Forest each year, coming up with low impact days out is seen as a priority.

Traffic conjestion in Lyndhurst

"Its given us the confidence to know we're on the right track  We've done well but we're only really just getting to grips with the whole issue and we have to do a whole lot better."

Green visits

Tourism authorities can only do so much and Anthony stressed it is down to anyone visiting the Forest to make a positive contribution to maintaining its unique habitats and environment:

"Take the time and trouble to get to know the place and its culture. Buy local produce, try not to drive your car around too much, get out and feel and smell and get hold of the place itself, rather than look at it through car windows, try and chat to local people. 

The New Forest

"Try and not dominate the place, try to feel part of it, absorb it and play a part in its life. Even on the busiest day, you can find a place to get out and walk and you'll find somewhere to have a spiritual experience and be with nature."

The Responsible Tourism Awards have been running since 2004 to recognise individuals, companies and organisations in the travel industry who make a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and support biodiversity conservation.