| |
|
|
Why Business' are Choosing Green.
Jan 25, 2010
Positive News Issue |
 |
Gillian and Ali run Staffa House, an organic, fairtrade and sustainable holiday accommodation in the heart of Fionnphort on the west coast of Scotland.
Here, they tell us their story, explaining why they have chosen more sustainable options for their business. It demonstrates responsible stewardship of the planet’s finite resources and highlights the assurances they give to their visitors that they can holiday with a clear environmental conscience.
“Buying Staffa House on the island of Mull was something of a leap of faith for us. We'd never done anything like running a B&B before. We were searching for a right livelihood that would enable us to live out the values that had become deeply important to us and that had often seemed compromised when working for an institution or organisations. Ali had been a chef in catering establishments all her working life and I had worked in music education in a variety of school and college settings. Immediately before moving to Staffa House, both of us had worked for the Iona Community - an experience of living in a community, welcoming guests from all over the world, that was hugely influential in shaping our vision for the B&B.
"We're passionate that a B&B should be more than just a bed for the night. Instead, it can be a place of meeting, of connections and of sharing ethical values. Traditionally B&B's have been high users of electricity, oil, water, plastic and transported goods. We aim to offer a high standard of accommodation but to keep an atmosphere throughout the house of peace and simplicity, uncluttered by gadgets, allowing the amazing views of land, sea and sky from the windows to speak for themselves. Similarly we serve delicious, nourishing food that is responsibly sourced, celebrating local food producers and drawing out guests' attention to how much tastier authentic, home cooking with good ingredients really is.
"Some of these features are now becoming commonplace in the hospitality industry, even trendy perhaps - a bandwagon upon which many people are jumping. Certain 'green' aspects are easy to implement and cost us very little - for example low energy light bulbs and Hippos in our toilet cisterns. However, other features do cost us money and time, yet we feel that it's really important to carry them through even though they may reduce the profit margins. For example, we offer a £2.00 discount on every bednight for guests traveling to us entirely by public transport. Financially we lose, but transport in tourism is a crucial issue for the future and so far the green tourism agencies are skirting around it! Running a green business doesn't come easy, nor should it, there are bound to be costs and sacrifices involved.
"We are really interested in the Transition Movement - moving towards a less carbon-based economy and building up community resilience to cope when oil becomes less readily available. We've recently installed solar panels and are delighted to think that guests shower in water heated by the sun! We're not perfect by any means and there are many more things we could do. In face we love it when guests take an interest and suggest new ideas for making Staffa House even greener!
“We appreciate that actions speak louder than words on the subject of environmental tourism. We’re determined to do our bit, small in some areas, larger in others.”
For more information see the website.
www.staffahouse.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
