Merlin Farm Eco Cottages in Cornwall are Highly Commended at Green Tourism Awards

Founded by the internationally renowned Green Tourism Business Scheme, the Goldstar Awards honour those businesses and organisations that have done the most to promote sustainability within the industry by implementing cost-saving practices that help the environment, improve customer services and benefit the bottom line. They form part of Green Tourism Week which ran from 21st to 27th May 2012 and the winners were chosen from over 2,300 green tourism companies assessed for their innovation, cost savings and green ambassadorship during 2011-2012. This years Green Tourism Goldstar Awards Ceremony took place on 25th May in Edinburgh.

The Old Rectory B&B in Boscastle, Cornwall was presented with the Goldstar Award for the ‘Best B&B/Guest House’. Other Cornish tourism businesses praised in The Goldstar Awards ceremony was Merlin Farm Eco Cottages, the stylish eco-hotel- The Scarlet, and Camping Caradon Touring Park, who were all Highly Commended in their respective categories.

Lucy Wheeler of Merlin Farm Eco Cottages enthuses: "When we began renovating our redundant farm barns it seemed obvious to proceed in the most environmental, sustainable and conservational way. The finished product not only provides guests with an eco-friendly holiday but educates them too. It's all the little things that make a big difference and we are proud of what we have achieved. We were delighted to be in the running for a Goldstar by scoring in the top 2% of GTBS businesses and we are overjoyed to be Highly Commended and recognised for our commitment to green tourism."

Malcolm Bell, Head of VisitCornwall, the Cornwall Development Company tourism service, adds: “This collective of four businesses are true role models for others in the industry, in Cornwall as well as across the country, and offer inspiration for environmentally friendly practices. The Old Rectory’s Goldstar award, along with the three equally impressive Highly Commended accolades, go a long way to putting Cornwall on the UK sustainable map and showcases our strategy for mindful growth of the visitor economy.”

For further information on the GTBS,the Goldstar Awards and Green Tourism Week please visit www.green-business.co.uk or www.facebook.com/greentourismweek.

www.merlinfarm.co.uk
www.ecocottagescornwall.co.uk