Way back when the media started constantly referring to the recession, it was widely commented that one of the biggest mistakes that could be made in a recession was to turn our collective backs on sustainable issues.
We hear today that the Isle of Wight Green Island Tourism initiative has had its funding cut by the Isle of Wight Council, with only a few days notice.
The upshot is that it’s now being closed down. It’s unclear what it will be replaced by.
Tragically, the Tourism minister, Barbara Follett, was on stage last week launching the new sustainable tourism framework for England as part of British Tourism Week.
In her speech, she said, “If we value the future of our world and if we want to protect our country’s unique tourism offer for future generations, we must take sustainability seriously and not see it just as an add-on luxury.”
Hmmm …
Awards to go?
The team who ran the Isle of Wight Green Island Tourism initiative also organised the Green Island awards, which highlighted companies doing sustainable business on the Island.
We guess that’s being knocked on the head too.
Where is Eco Island?
With cuts like those above being made, we’re not sure where that leaves the IW council’s commitment to Eco Island.
We contacted the press office for a statement, but at time of publishing one was not forthcoming.
