The Kent Downs (AONB) is Highly Commended as Best Destination at The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009 organised by
responsibletravel.com

The Awards are the most prestigious and competitive of their kind in the world and are collaboration between online travel directory responsibletravel.com, UK media partners The Daily Telegraph and Geographical Magazine, and World Travel Market who host the event. Now in their sixth year, the central tenet of the Awards is that all types of tourism - from niche to mainstream - can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.

If you are in the Kent Downs:

As a Visitor

Seek out locally sourced food – its likely to be fresh and can support the landscape you are in.

Walk, cycle or ride – the Kent Downs is full of footpaths, cycle routes and bridleways as well as many quiet roads. You will get a much better experience if this beautiful landscapes. There are even walking and cycling holiday.

Use local shops and services. This will help keep the village shop and pub open and the local bus running.

Join a local event – get involved or visit a community event or even join some volunteers looking after the countryside.

Come here by train – many hotels and B&Bs will arrange a taxi or even pick you up themselves.

Take your time to enjoy this enchanting part of England.

Seek out accommodation or other businesses which have joined the GTBS or Green Start.

As a Tourism Business

Source your food and other services locally – try to choose companies which support the landscape.

Provide a pick up for guests coming on the train.

Give information about local footpath and walks/cycle rides – encourage visitors to join local events and shop locally.

Use Kent Downs AONB guidance if you manage land/your premises, keep horses etc

Promote responsible tourism – it could be good for your bottom line, you guests will feel better about their visit and it will support the beautiful landscape of Kent Downs AONB.

Work with other local tourism businesses to develop responsible tourism packages in the Kent Down.

We are trying to get funding to market these.