§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action the Government is taking to support ethical tourism schemes. [139397]
§ Mr. CabornThe Government welcomes in principle the efforts of individual tourism businesses who promote themselves under an eco-tourism banner. We regard such businesses as an important element of the mix of tourism products available to consumers.
There are no plans to introduce a national, Government-sponsored, eco-tourism award scheme. However, several such schemes do operate independently in the UK, often aimed at a geographical or product niche. The Government supports their aims. Indeed on 12 November 2003 I met the operator of one such conservation scheme, targeted at caravan parks, for a discussion about environmental tourism.