Green Snowdonia Tourism Award Winners 2007

The awards, cash prizes totaling £1500, were presented on Thursday June 21st, 2007 at the Snowdonia National Park Authority Environmental Studies Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch.

Emma Edwards-Jones, the Snowdonia Society's Green Snowdonia Project Co-ordinator, said 'These award winners demonstrate the significant measures which can be taken to reduce the impact of the tourism industry on the environment. It is vital that to make a difference to global issues, such as climate change, we need to act locally. These winners are pioneers, who I hope will lead the tourism industry in Snowdonia towards a more sustainable future.

Best Sustainable Tourism Business - Overall Winner
Busnes Twristiaeth Cynaladwy Gorau - Y Prif Enillwr

Hafod Elwy Hall, Bylchau, Denbighshire

Located on the Eastern side of Snowdonia, Hafod Elwy Hall, offers bed and breakfast and evening meals.

Considerable investment has been made to improve the environmental efficiency of this 14th Century property. Key improvements include; deep loft insulation maintaining bat access, overhaul of heating system including fitting of radiator thermostats, replacement of white goods with energy efficient models, lining of chimneys and installation of wood burners, installation of 5kw wind turbine supplying renewable energy to the house with excess power being exported to National Grid.

The day to day running of the business has environmental awareness as a priority. For example, they produce a lot of their own meat/vegetables/fruit/eggs, all laundry is air-dried (no tumble drying), the chickens are bedded down on shredded newspaper, the wood burners burn offcuts from a local joinery, they use local businesses - including bartering piglets for iron work from a local blacksmith!. A worthy winner this business offers high quality accommodation whilst reducing its impact on the environment to a minimum.

Most Sustainable Tourism Business - Large Business Category
Busnes Twristiaeth Mwyaf Cynaladwy - Categori Busnes Mawr

Greenacres Holiday Park, Morfa Bychan, Porthmadog

The Green Team at Greenacres Holiday Park include a commitment in their mission statement to 'value the environment using only those resources appropriate to the task'. They have a strong commitment to staff training, fostering individual environmental awareness. They produce good environmental information sheets for all their guests detailing ways to spot water leaks, reduce fuel/water consumption and recycling. They are changing all their hire fleet over to low energy light bulbs and are encouraging their owners to do the same. There are solar powered lights around the park. All refurbishment is being done with improved environmental efficiency in mind, including the fitting of waterless urinals. They strongly promote their recycling policy. They have a SSSi on site, and employ a ranger who runs a busy programme of educational activities. They organise beach clean-ups and cut the grass in the local park.

Most Sustainable Tourism Business - Small Business Category
Busnes Twristiaeth Mwyaf Cynaladwy - Categori Busnes Bach

Abercelyn Country House, Llanycil, Bala

Abercelyn Country House is a Grade II listed, 18th Century former rectory which offers Bed and Breakfast Accommodation and self-catering with three cottages of traditional construction. This business is an example where a high quality product can make changes to minimise its environmental impact. Significant investment has developed this B&B and converted the tithe barn (also listed) into high quality holiday self-catering accommodation. Improvements include upgrading the insulation and heating systems with thermostats and time clocks and the installation of dual flush WCs. They burn waste timber and water butts collect rainwater. They have a comprehensive recycling system, keep hens and produce fruit and veg in the garden, use local tradespeople and encourage visitors to walk locally and use public transport.

Most Sustainable Tourism Business - Conwy
Busnes Twristiaeth Mwyaf Cynaladwy - Conwy
Sponsored by Conwy Borough County Council

Blaen Glasgwm Isaf Holiday Cottage, Penmachno

Blaen Glasgwm Isaf Holiday Cottage is a recently converted barn, fully insulated to conserve energy. Continuing investment is being made to reduce the environmental impact of this property. A reed bed to treat grey water from the septic tank has been recently constructed, which will be stock fenced and planted with trees to form a wildlife area. There is an ongoing programme of native tree planting and they have a gleaning licence from the Forestry Commission providing firewood. They produce 90% of their own meat and grow fruit/veg/flowers. They have a comprehensive recycling system for visitors, use low energy lightbulbs and use as little chemical cleaners as possible. They shop locally and use local materials and tradesmen.

Most Sustainable Tourism Business - Gwynedd
Busnes Twristiaeth Mwyaf Cynaladwy - Gwynedd
Sponsored by Gwynedd Council

Pentre Bach Holiday Cottages, Llwyngwril, Dolgellau

Over the past 28 years significant environmental improvements have been made to these holiday cottages. The owners are now taking their principles out to the public with an impressive, proactive programme of public speaking, garden open days and press features. They make great use of recycled materials - silage wrap, old carpets, second hand wood, old iron and any other materials that offer themselves. The garden is organic and run on a raised bed, no-dig system. They grow and make a wide variety of produce and sell it locally as well as to their guests. Solar panels heat water, a 'sun pipe' lights a dark corner. Their electricity comes from renewable sources.