carbonneutraltourism.co.uk

It’s interesting to note that Pontins have reported a 10% growth in summer bookings this year.  This is likely to be driven in part by the strong Euro and the credit crunch.  Pontins operate seven holiday villages in the UK and they expect to attract 750,000 guests this year.  Pontins was recently acquired by Ocean Parcs.

Rye Bay Beach House is a newly built 3 storey house and is part of a unique development that combines quality and contemporary design with environmental sustainability. The developments eco credentials include two wind turbines generating power for reintroduction back to the National Grid.  Solar energy is captured using solar tubes.  Geo thermal space heating is also used as well as green roof system that blends with the landscape and retains rain water for further use.  The house sleeps 4/6 and is situated behind Camber’s stunning sand dunes - a stones throw away from one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the South East Coat.

English Heritage will be launching their ‘Heritage at Risk’ project in July 2008.  The project will create the first comprehensive register of the country’s neglected or decaying historic properties and sites.

Previously we have written a post on Natural Retreats, a provider of luxury self catering breaks in the Yorkshire Dales.  Their ethos centres on providing environmentally friendly breaks.  Natural Retreats have recently announced that they will be introducing new sites in the UK in the near future.   Click here to find out more.

We have written several posts about Under the Thatch and we continued to be impressed by their work.  Bryncyn located in the Camarthenshire Hills is another recent addition to their portfolio of self catering properties.

The National Trust have announced that they are changing approximately 40,000 light bulbs across their Estate and introducing low energy alternatives.  Once the new energy efficient light bulbs are installed this should save 2,223 tonnes of carbon per annum and reduce energy and maintenance costs by some £431,000 per annum.

Under the Thatch a leading provider of self catering breaks in unique properties have recently added a number of properties to their portfolio, including Castell-Mai a Georgian splendour with views of Caernarfon Castle.

Under the Thatch a provider of self catering breaks in traditional properties have recently announced that they have added several properties to their offer. 

They include Pont Esgob a cottage which sleeps 2 adults and 2 children.  Located in the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons National Park the restoration was completed in April 2008.

Find out more click > Under the Thatch.  

The 1883 built steam passenger vessel ‘Alaska‘  is taking a radical lead in making travel on the River Thames Greener and has changed over to a sustainable carbon neutral fuel. Previously fired with Welsh steam coal she is now changing over to  recycled wood waste briquettes, a product made from recycled waste sawdust and woodchips from manufacturing  processes.

Thames Steamers’  Director, Peter Green, has wanted to reduce the vessel’s carbon footprint for a number of years but until recently the only available alternative fuel was ordinary wood which has a very low heat output compared with coal, making it physically impossible to carry the large volume required to generate the equivalent amount of steam that coal burning produces. With coal the boat could carry enough fuel for about 36 hours running, (essential when covering long distances along the 90 odd miles of river between Oxford and Teddington), whilst a boat load of wood would only last for a few hours at best.

However, the briquettes are formed under very high pressure which makes them very dense and enables them to give a similar  heat output to coal.  Members of the public may take a ‘green’ cruise aboard ‘Alaska‘ over the Late May Bank Holiday Weekend.

The BBC reports that Scotland’s first carbon neutral bus route operated by Stagecoach, has been developed with 140,000 trees to be planted to offset CO2 emissions generated by journeys from Fife to Edinburgh.