Lead South West Green Party European candidate, Dr Molly Scott Cato, is to sample the delights of Cornwall this week: beautiful coastal scenery, cycling the Camel trail, ice creams and cream teas. Dr Scott Cato believes that Cornwall is the ideal place to rest following a grueling schedule of visits, TV and radio studios and numerous public engagements across the South West over the past few months.
“Cornwall is the perfect place to recharge before a final round of public engagements, visits and Hustings as part of our campaign to elect the first Green MEP in the South West” says Dr Scott Cato.
However, Molly’s visit will of course not be an endless round of cream teas and ice creams. South West Green Party is using the opportunity to launch its new Green Tourism Initiative, which seeks to, ‘support livelihoods in the South West and reinforce the public perception of the area as one of precious environments and dynamic people’.
The new report calls upon the region’s MPs to lobby national government for a South West tourism fund to pay for marketing aimed specifically at sustainable tourism; investment in a system of local buses in tourist areas particularly on Dartmoor and the Cornish coast; conversion grants for hotels and B&Bs to improve their energy efficiency and install sustainable systems for water and waste management; and high-profile visits by leading politicians to the region without their cars instead of jetting off on foreign holidays.
The report also highlights some of the many successful existing Green Tourism initiatives in the South West and beyond that could be introduced or extended across the South West region.
Dr Molly Scott Cato said:
“I will be arriving into Cornwall on the excellent sleeper rail service, which is soon to gain an extra two carriages, for the gentle nighttime trip from London Paddington to Penzance. I look forward to sampling all that is great about visiting Cornwall – friendly people, unrivalled scenery and mouth-watering locally sourced food.
“There is though a political side to this visit too. We want politicians to understand the huge benefits to the region of supporting and investing in Green Tourism. For example, encouraging people to visit the South West without their cars, and investing in the transport infrastructure to make that an attractive proposition, will reduce carbon emissions and lessen pressure to build ever more roads. Green Tourism promotes walking and cycling. With its fantastic coastal path, excellent cycling routes, and an exciting array of outdoor and activity pursuits, Cornwall is ideally placed for physically active holidays and hence the potential for huge public health benefits. The Green Party calls upon the region’s MPs to lobby national government to support a tourism industry in the South West that works for the common good.”
During her visit to Cornwall Dr Scott Cato will also visit community renewable energy projects and the Delabole Wind Farm.