 13.2.04
Sustainable tourism project in Cornwall seeks inspiration from the Dyfi
Valley
On February 3 2004, despite the floods, an Officer from the new Cornish
Sustainable Tourism Project 'CoaST', traveled to Machynlleth on a fact-finding
mission to learn from tourism developments in the Dyfi Valley.
CoaST worker Manda Brookman was hosted by Teresa Walters, Tourism Officer
for local community regeneration company Ecodyfi.
The field trip included visits to various attractions and accommodation
providers in the Corris area, including the Corris Craft Centre and Labyrinth,
the Braich Goch Inn, the Corris Institute, tipi manufacturers and campsite
owners Shelters Unlimited and the chosen site for the new Dyfi Forest
mountain biking trails.
The tour ended at the Centre for Alternative Technology, where Manda
met with Consultancy Co-ordinator Jacinta McDermott to learn about the
centre's pioneering environmental work.
Aimed at demonstrating co-operative working in tourism - the practical
side of what environmentalists call "joined up thinking" - the tour was
working evidence for CoaST worker Manda that activity and accommodation
provision, attractions and transport could all be integrated to produce
a unique holiday experience which benefited local people.
Ms Brookman said that she found the visit "inspirational".
"It is great to see sustainable tourism in practice - to find out how
local people can work together to one another's benefit, making the most
of their natural resources without damaging them."
Building on the reputation of the Centre for Alternative Technology and
on the area's varied natural, cultural and heritage assets, the Dyfi Valley
has become a national flagship for sustainable tourism development.
Since 2002 it has been designated by the Wales Tourist Board as a Tourism
Growth Area - with "sustainability" as the core of its vision. And since
then, the board, together with project partners Ecodyfi, Gwynedd County
Council, Powys County Council, the Welsh Development Agency, the Aberdyfi
Partnership, Machynlleth Chamber of Trade and Cymad, have been working
to encourage investment in sustainable tourism development in the valley.
As well as investment possibilities, the Dyfi Valley Tourism Growth Area
brings the opportunity for businesses to work together in joint marketing
and networking schemes and to develop the environmental and cultural sensitivity
of their own operations, while promoting the area as an un-missable sustainable
tourism destination.
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