10 good news stories for UK travel, The Guardian
Amid all the challenges, last year’s forced pause sent some hopeful ripples across the travel industry. Talk of renewed purpose, going slow and regenerative travel – the kind that does good, rather than merely less harm – spread among tour operators and across destinations. Although travel has ground to a halt once more, with Britons currently banned from entering many countries - and even other counties - these ripples will help us to travel better once we can.
Visit Scotland declares a climate emergency
In 2020, Visit Scotland became the world’s first national tourist board to “declare a climate emergency” by signing up to the Tourism Declaresinitiative. The declaration means that Visit Scotland will prioritise the reduction of carbon emissions in everything it does and promotes. Chris Greenwood, senior tourism insights manager at Visit Scotland, says: “The declaration sends a message that environmental responsibility is essential and that everyone can get involved.” Some of the plans under way include helping tourism businesses to reduce food and supplier miles, forming a partnership with Zero Waste Scotland, and increasing public transport use, even in remote locations.
• visitscotland.org
England Coast Path nears completion
The creation of the world’s longest signposted footpath, stretching 2,795 miles around the English coast, has been more than 10 years in the making. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, and budget cuts for Natural England, the feat is progressing. Launches in 2021 include opening up larger parts of the Cumbrian coast from Whitehaven to Silverdale, featuring a 40-mile section near Millom widened for activities such as mountain biking. Other newly approved sections include completing Essex’s coast path where it skirts several estuaries, access between South Hayling and East Head on the south coast, and the storied trail between Amble and Bamburgh in Northumberland.
• nationaltrail.co.uk
Rye Harbour’s new discovery centre
The sheer expanse of Rye Harbour’s coastline – dotted with faded military outposts and Henry VIII’s crumbling Camber Castle – can make it seem desolate, but in fact, this 465-hectare nature reserve is among the most biodiverse places in Britain. Shingle, saltmarsh, saline lagoons, marshes and reedbeds create habitats for more than 4,000 species, 300 of which are rare or endangered. To celebrate the reserve, the Wildlife Trust is opening a visitor centre at Rye Harbour in April. The low-lying building will have sustainably sourced sweet chestnut cladding to blend into the landscape and offer accessibility for all visitors. It will also have a cafe to increase its year-round appeal.
• ryeharbourdiscoverycentre.org.uk
Wild on the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight’s coast and ancient woodlands are home to species rarely seen elsewhere in the UK. Glanville Fritillary butterflies, hazel dormice and red squirrels thrive, and a successful reintroduction in 2020 means 11 white-tailed sea eagles now soar overhead. Having earned biosphere reserve status in 2019, in 2020 the Wildlife Trust launched a Wilder 2030 vision for the island. By acquiring more sites for wildlife restoration, the Trust hopes to make nature recovery work for local people. The plan started in 2020 with the purchase of a run-down 40-hectare farm, Little Duxmore. Once restored, the site’s wetlands and downland will become a haven for wildlife and welcome visitors and volunteers.
• hiwwt.org.uk
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