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The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of these nationally important landscapes. The Kent Downs offers some of southern England’s most beautiful countryside but even tourism can impact on its environment and local communities.
Implementing measures to reduce the negative impacts of tourism, whilst enhancing the positive impacts, is a focus of our sustainable tourism development work. Our aim is to protect the very resources upon which the visitor experience depends.
Green Accreditation for Tourism Businesses
The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) is an accreditation scheme for tourism and tourism related businesses relating to environmental and social good practice.
A pilot scheme to launch the GTBS in Kent was first implemented by the Kent Downs AONB Unit, with the support of Tourism South East (TSE). Thirteen businesses successfully gained accreditation and the pilot was so successful that the scheme was subsequently rolled out throughout Kent. We currently have 24 members with more coming on line.
To gain GTBS accreditation, businesses are assessed once every two years by registered environmental auditors. Businesses are graded against over 150 measures of best practice, ranging from energy conservation, water use, waste minimisation and nature conservation to purchasing, marketing, education, interpretation and community support, resulting in the following awards:
BRONZE Good basic environmental practice
SILVER Very good environmental practice
GOLD Excellence in environmental practice
By utilising green graded accommodation, pubs and attractions, you know you are making a difference by choosing businesses that are committed to you, the environment and their wider communities.
Note to Tourism Businesses
If you run a tourism business and are interested in applying for green grading, the GTBS on 01738 632162 or email gtbs@green-business.co.uk
GTBS members in the Kent Downs AONB* and other parts of Kent:
Alkham Court * (http://www.alkhamcourt.co.uk)
South Alkham, near Dover
Bed and Breakfast on a working farm
Awarded Gold
Blue House Farm* ( http://www.bluehousefarm.co.uk)
Warren Street, near Lenham
Self-catering on a working farm
Awarded Bronze
The Bowl Inn* (http://www.bowlinn.co.uk)
Charing
Freehouse and B&B
Awarded Bronze
Brenley Farm* (http://www.brenley-farm.co.uk)
Boughton, near Faversham
Bed & breakfast and bunk barn, on a working farm
Awarded Silver
Bulltown Farmhouse* ( http://www.bulltown.co.uk)
West Brabourne, near Ashford
Bed and Breakfast on a working farm
Awarded Silver
Gardeners Rest* (http:// www.gardenersrest.co.uk/) Kingsdown, near Deal
Bed and breakfast
Awarded Silver
Great Field Farm* (http://www.great-field-farm.co.uk)
Stelling Minnis, near Canterbury
Bed & breakfast
Awarded Silver
Iffin House* (http://www.iffin.co.uk)
Canterbury
Hotel and conference facilities
Awarded Bronze
Kent Gliding Club* ( http://www.kent-gliding-club.co.uk) Challock, near Ashford
Gliding club
Awarded Silver
Kent Wildlife Trust (http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/)
Five visitor centres including Tyland Barn near Maidstone
Going Green
Leaveland Court* (http://www.leavelandcourt.co.uk)
Leaveland, near Faversham
Bed and breakfast on a working farm
Awarded Gold
Monckton Cottages* (http://www.moncktoncottages.com)
Chilham
Self-catering cottages
Awarded Bronze
North Downs Country Cottages* (http:// www.northdownscountrycottages.co.uk/)
Hollingbourne, near Maidstone
Self-catering cottage
Going Green
Palace Farm Hostel* (http://www.palacefarm.com)
Doddington, near Faversham
Hostel with family rooms on a working farm
Awarded Gold
Ramada Dover (http:// www.ramadadover.co.uk/)
Whitfield, Dover
Hotel
Going Green
Ramada Maidstone* (http:// www.ramadahotelandresortmaidstone.co.uk / )
Hollingbourne, near Maidstone
Hotel
Going Green
Ramada Tunbridge Wells (http:// www.ramadatunbridgewells.co.uk)
Tunbridge Wells
Hotel
Awarded Bronze
Rose and Crown*
Perry Wood, near Faversham
Pub and restaurant
Awarded Silver
Surin Thai Restaurant ( http://www.surinrestaurant.co.uk / ) Ramsgate
Restaurant – Asian dining
Going Green
Sandhurst Farm Forge* (http://www.sandhurstfarmforge.co.uk)
Newnham, near Faversham
Bed and breakfast, and a working forge
Awarded Silver
Tanner Farm (http://www.tannerfarmpark.co.uk)
Marden
Caravan and camping park on a working farm
Awarded Silver
Walk Awhile* ( http://www.walkawhile.co.uk)
Selling, near Faversham
Tour operator selling walking holidays based on the Pilgrims Way Awarded Silver
Wallett’s Court Country House Hotel* (http:// www.wallettscourthotel.com/)
West Cliffe, St Margaret’s at Cliffe
Hotel, restaurant and spa
Going Green
White Cliffs Hotel & Trading Company* (http://www.thewhitecliffs.com/)
St. Margaret’s at Cliffe
Hotel and restaurant
Going Green
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