Future Footprints - keeping the South West special!
Future Footprints 2003-2009:
Future Footprints was a sustainable tourism campaign in the South West of England that worked with tourism businesses to help their customers and visitors ‘keep the South West special’. Sustainability South West coordinated Future Footprints on behalf of a partnership of organisations who inputted via a steering group.
The overall aim of Future Footprints was to support sustainable tourism in the region by communicating to residents and visitors and promoting holidaying which:
- respected the region’s landscapes and environmental limits
- supported the region’s businesses and communities
- gave the visitor a special experience!
The Future Footprints vision was for 'a thriving sustainable tourism industry in the South West that satisfied the aspirations of visitors, businesses and the community without damaging the quality of its special environment'.
Campaign messages of Future Footprints included ‘Try Local, Buy Local’ (encouraging visitors to choose local produce and gifts) and ‘See what’s on your doorstep’ (encouraging visitors to explore near where they are staying on foot, bike or by public transport). A website, www.futurefootprints.org.uk, promoted these messages, case studies and provided free campaign promotional tools and resources.
The Future:
New regional arrangements mean that Future Footprints will not continue as a stand alone initiative and came to an end in March 2009. However SSW will continue to work as a ‘critical friend and advocate’ with South West Tourism, destination management organisations and others to support a more sustainable tourism industry. Our work will include the development of a sustainability appraisal tool for tourism businesses.
© 2007 Sustainability South West - UK registered charity, no. 1106125 - info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk.