Northern Lakes Accommodation Providers (NLAP) continued its role of providing support and advice to its membership recently, by running a seminar to improve its members’ awareness of environmental issues affecting their businesses.

‘Green’ and ‘Sustainable’ Tourism are current buzz words in the industry and with visitors increasingly interested in the environmental credentials of businesses this seminar provided members an opportunity to improve their knowledge and think about what the next steps could be for their business.

The subject areas included: accreditation schemes, waste management and the efficient use of water.  First John Barwise, a registered environmental assessor and Chair of the Cumbria Green Business Forum, provided a comprehensive overview of accreditation standards such as the Green Tourism Business Scheme and the Cumbria Business Environmental Network.  He was followed by Caroline Welch of Cote How Guest House in Rydal, one of few GTBS Gold award businesses in the area, who outlined the highs and lows of their journey to this point and how they now use this to their advantage.  Finally, Martin Allman, Waste Prevention Manager for Cumbria County Council, covered the current waste management situation across the county, what businesses can do now and how things might change in the future.  Unfortunately Stephen Johnston, Environment Agency, who was due to present on ‘Protecting the Environment through Efficient Use of Water’, was unwell and hence unable to attend.

Overall the meeting was a success, with those attending agreeing that a lot of ground had been covered in the two hour session and that they left feeling more informed.  Copies of the presentations will be available on shortly the NLAP website www.northlakes.org.uk.

Northern Lakes Accommodation Providers is a membership driven association, representing the serviced accommodation industry in the northern area of the Lake District National Park.  For more information please contact Alan Jameison on 017687 79660.