Leading digital travel platform Booking.com has partnered with Kendal-based charity the Lake District Foundation to champion sustainable tourism in the Lake District.
The two organisations joined forces to launch a sustainability fund to provide grants to small accommodation providers to enable them to invest in eco-friendly facilities such as solar panels or electric car charging ports.
The Lake District Foundation’s previous low carbon grant scheme, which supported projects at 58 local businesses, resulted in a saving of the equivalent of 544 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. This latest initiative targeting the tourist sector in collaboration with Booking.com, is looking to replicate that success.
The fund will see eligible accommodation providers able to apply for a grant of up to £2,000 for as much as 50% of the cost of eco-friendly improvements to their properties, including energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy, green infrastructure or sustainable transport projects.
Ryan Pearson, regional manager for the UK & Ireland at Booking.com, said: “We are proud to be partnering with the Lake District Foundation to empower local accommodation providers to embrace more environmentally friendly practices.
“Recent research from Booking.com revealed that 76% of travellers say they want to travel more sustainably in the coming 12 months, so by providing these grants to small accommodation providers we are not only hoping to support their future business growth but also making it easier for everyone to experience this incredible region in a more mindful and responsible way, which is a natural extension of our overarching mission at Booking.com.”
The Booking.com Sustainable Grant Fund is open for applications from now until the deadline on February 19.
Sarah Swindley, chief executive of the Lake District Foundation, said: “The Lake District is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK and we believe it should be a welcoming place for everyone to enjoy.
“But we also need to protect this special region for future generations. Sustainable tourism is key. We’re excited to be working with Booking.com to help accommodation providers lower their carbon footprint, as well as creating greener accommodation options for visitors. We look forward to receiving lots of great applications from across the Lake District.”
