Tourism actions

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Northumberland has a rich natural and historic landscape that attracts around 10 million visitors per year. It is important that the tourism industry can adapt to the impacts of climate change and continue to provide a stunning destination and warm welcome to our visitors.

The impact>

The beauty of Northumberland is a key attraction for tourists, but it is also under threat from climate change. These threats include:

Coastal threats

due to sea level rise (predicted 30-35cm higher by 2050), increasing vulnerability to storm events and coastal erosion

Rising ocean temperatures

impacting coastal wildlife and the tourism this brings

Changes in rainfall

and potential water shortages in summer seasons

Rising temperatures

affecting wildlife and wildlife-based tourism

Increase in severe weather events

such as flooding, storms, heatwaves and wildfires forcing cancellations

The issue:

The tourism industry also contributes towards climate change. This can be through:

Travel to and within Northumberland

Carbon footprint of tourist providers

Pressures on delicate ecosystems

The solution>

Take a look at the case studies and resources below to see how you can champion sustainable tourism and take action to tackle climate change in Northumberland.

Northumberland Coast AONB

Helpful tourist website focusing with information about alternative travel and ecological attractions. The same organisation has also complied a Visitor Guide for your convenance here.

Visit site >

Cragside House and Gardens

A National Trust Property and the first house in the world powered using hydroelectricity, which continues today. It is also a sanctuary for some of the last remaining red squirrel colonies in England.

Visit site >

Northumberland ZOO

A family-run zoo with a focus on environmental sustainability, education and conservation of animals. Working to change the perception towards wildlife and habitats to encourage better decisions and a more sustainable future.

Visit site >

The Sill

A free, family friendly visitor centre close to Hadrian’s Wall constructed sustainably as a hub for local producers to have a route to market via a shop and café.

It hosts educational exhibitions on cultural heritage, landscape and wildlife.

Visit site >

Visit Northumberland blog

This provides a helpful list of eco-friendly stays and attractions such as Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel (Gold award), Newbiggin Maritime Centre, Hadrian's Wall, Woodhorn Museum (Gold Award) and Hexham Old Goal (Silver award) and Holy Island.

Visit site >

Battlesteads

A popular hotel, restaurant and dark skies discovery site famous for regularly winning eco awards for their sustainability and social responsibility credentials. It also serves locally sourced produce complemented by home grown fruit and vegetables.

Visit site >

Accreditation

Becoming an accredited sustainable tourism provider can support you on your journey to reduce the carbon footprint of your business as well as attracting new climate-conscious customers.

Some accreditation programmes include:

Green tourism >

Green Key >

Global STC >

Preferred by Nature >

Earth Checker >

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Many tourists travel around Northumberland using their cars. Replacing car journeys with public transport can help reduce CO2 emissions by 42% if using the bus and 73% if travelling by train (Net Zero Nation Scotland).

Easy win:

As a tourism provider, having key information about travelling around Northumberland available to your guests can encourage them to ditch the car.

This could include:

Coastal bus service to do a point-to-point walk along the coast.
Taking the train to the coast or into Newcastle upon Tyne.
Information about where you can hire ebikes or bikes locally.

Find more info of bus transport here.

Go greener:

Installing an EV charge point for guests.
Having bikes or e-bikes to hire for guest use.
Transitioning any company vehicles to EVs.
Consider your supply chain logistics and communicate with suppliers about lower carbon options.
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Reducing your energy use, can both reduce your carbon footprint and save your business money. There are multiple tips that can help you do this:

Easy wins:

Replace your lightbulbs with LEDs.
Turn down the thermostat in guest rooms to a comfortable temperature (19-21°C).
Insulate pipes or blocking draughts.
Look for green energy providers.
Carry out an energy audit to identify energy inefficiencies.
Think about your kitchen layout and appliances: make sure to defrost freezers regularly and rearrange the kitchen so fridges and freezers aren’t in close proximity to ovens.

Go greener:

Replace appliances with more energy efficient models (such as boilers).
Install a building management system to control heating and cooling.
Investigate retrofit measures such as loft or floor isolation, double glazing, and cavity wall insulation.
Investigate alternative renewable energy options such as heat pump systems.
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Easy wins

Install low-flow shower heads or taps.
Reduce changeover of bedding and towels.
Establish water saving goals for your business.
Run water-intensive systems only when fully loaded, including dishwashers and washing machines.
Carry out a water audit to identify the major water costs and where key savings can be made.

Go greener

Install low-flow toilets or dual flush toilets
Avoid watering your grounds with drinking water, instead use a water butt to collect rainwater and consider reducing your watering regime, especially in hotter periods.
Investigate installing a grey water system – this enables up to 50% of wastewater to be returned after treatment for water use such as flushing toilets.

Provide a space for water refills: Join the Refill Network to encourage people to use their refillable water bottles.
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