 27.1.05
Dyfi Valley B&Bs are drinking to a new competitive edge in the battle for visitors.
Today's increasingly choosy tourists are looking for global justice as well as value and are finding
it in fairly traded products like tea. 1,100 individuals and 10 businesses in the Dyfi Valley are supporting the energetic campaign to
offer producers in the developing world a better deal.
Fair trade creates opportunities for them to work their way out of poverty and depend less on aid.
This year visitors to the Dyfi Valley will have the opportunity to play their part.
The campaign, developed over a three year period, was co-ordinated by dedicated volunteers who worked
closely with local communities, organizations and businesses in the area. From Tywyn to Dinas Mawddwy
and down to Talybont, people were encouraged to make the Fairtrade Pledge.
The pledge means that people throughout the valley will be serving serve fair trade coffee and tea
at their meetings, in offices and canteens, and at home.
Some of the local councils have passed resolutions in support of the movement and fair trade products
are more widely available in local shops and cafes.
The next big events in the local campaign will be the launch of the Powys Fairtrade Guide in January
and national Fairtrade Fortnight 1 -13 March 2005.
Abi Murray, of the Fairtrade Foundation, said: "As far as I know the Dyfi
Valley is the first valley in the UK to be awarded fair trade status."
Nicola Ruck, Secretary of the Dyfi Valley for Fair Trade group, explains that there has been a pioneering
commitment to sustainability in the Dyfi Valley, including through the work of ecodyfi.
"This is matched by the area's support for ethical trade with developing countries", she said.
"Promoting and enabling global trade justice is a vital component of sustainable living, so fair
trade has been a natural extension for many people."
Most of the businesses involved are tourism related - including bed and breakfasts, shops and cafes
and the best known local business, the world-famous Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Machynlleth.
Many of them believe that as well as guaranteeing a decent wage to developing countries' producers,
they could be boosting their own businesses.
Nigel Vince of Maenllwyd Guest House in Machynlleth says, "Obviously the most important thing is
supporting the growers, but we've found that our visitors care about fair trade, too.
People are increasingly concerned with environmental and ethical issues - they want to feel good
about being responsible, even when they are on holiday".
Environmental and ethical tourism are part of what makes the Dyfi Valley different.
Reflecting its well-established movement for sustainable living, the Dyfi Valley boasts a thriving
sustainable tourism offering, exemplified by CAT and businesses such as Eco Retreats, who promise
their visitors "life-changing eco experiences in native American tipis", provide Fairtrade products,
local foods and services that boost the local economy and promote awareness of the local and global
environment.
Businesses wanting supplies or to get involved should contact either Keith
Jackson of Dyfi Valley for Fair Trade on 01654 703736 or ecodyfi'sSustainable
Tourism Officer Teresa Walters on 01654 703965.
Further information:
Nicola Ruck, Secretary of Dyfi Valley for Fair Trade 01654 703428
Keith Jackson. Dyfi Valley for Fair Trade 01654 703736
Teresa Walters, teresa.walters@ecodyfi.co.uk. ecodyfi's
Sustainable Tourism Officer 01654 703965
Amanda Roll-Pickering, CAT Media Officer 01654 705957
Nigel Vince of Maenllwyd Guest House at maenllwyd@btinternet.com
Eco
Retreats on 01650 511768 or info@ecoretreats.co.uk
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