Eco tourism: a realistic idea or is it just wishful thinking? (From The Argus)

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Eco tourism: a realistic idea or is it just wishful thinking?

9:00am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Your Argus

The Green-led council has published a surreal piece of information on the official Brighton and Hove City Council website proposing this scenario on eco-tourism under the title “Plans For Boost To Eco-Tourism”.

A report by Green Councillor Geoffrey Bowden has been prepared for the next decision making meeting on February 7. He envisages “glamping” (Brighton and Hove Greens’ new word for pop-up camping) for short periods in “pleasant spots round the city”.

He proposes packaging “sustainable assets” – whatever they are – including the South Downs and other “eco attractions”, to appeal to green-minded tourists while “cutting its carbon footprint”.

In Coun Bowden’s nirvana world, these tourists would spend their eco pounds shopping at eco vegetarian shoe shops and eco Infinity Foods in the eco North Laine area and eat at sustainable and ethically sourced restaurants such as Due South or Moshi Moshi.

Apparently, UK’s foremost online environmental holiday firm based in Brighton, www.responsibletravel.com, is helping potential tourists package this amazing holiday. I do hope Brighton and Hove City Council has been reimbursed for the free online plug of these businesses, however worthy and virtuous.

Happy glamping Brighton!

Linda Freedman, Elrington Road, Hove

Comments(5)

claudiat says...
10:01am Tue 7 Feb 12

It makes perfect sense to brand Brighton as a Green destination to visitors. Green or eco-tourism is a large and growing market, there are plenty of great and unique green businesses already here and it's a great spot for getting to the National Park. It's a form of tourism likely to bring much greater benefits and less problems than the stag and hen do's that take over every weekend.