Two South Devon businesses which have excelled themselves in helping to sustain tourism have been celebrating this week after officially receiving their ‘thank you’ awards.

The Dartmouth Golf and Country Club and the Riviera International Centre at Torquay were among a number of businesses throughout the county who received accolades in the Devon Environmental Business Initiative awards 2006.

A record number of 55 businesses entered, with some 18 entries in the Sustainable Tourism category which was won by the Dartmouth Golf and Country Club with the Riviera International Centre as runner up.

Andy Vickery, chairman of DEBI said: “The initiatives taken all go towards reducing the impact and in many cases enhancing Devon environment. This, as the awards have demonstrated, is done by reducing and in some cases producing renewable energy and providing sustainable tourism activities for the many visitors to Devon.”

Dartmouth Golf and Country Club took the top honour for embracing environmental issues across all areas of its business, from house-keeping to green-keeping. The judges were particularly impressed with the involvement of staff and regular meetings and internal environmental audits. Also noteworthy were the efforts that the club have gone to with their suppliers, resisting the easy option to compromise but instead seeking out the sustainable option wherever possible.

The Riviera International Centre has been the hub of the region’s conference facilities since the 1980s. Due to the construction of the building the hands of the current management team have been somewhat tied with regard to implementing environmental improvements. However, the team has recently managed to complement a number of first rate environmental initiatives.

Conference organisers are sent advice on ‘going-green’ ... tips for greening an event and where possible the staff try to persuade organisations to have local food options and to use public transport. Recycling is also a big issue with delegates and leisure centre users alike being encouraged to recycle wherever possible.

Barry Cole, managing director said: “We recently were recognised with a Silver Award for Green Tourism.  Since then I have been really taken aback by the continued enthusiasm of all the Teams at the Riviera Centre to find further improvements that help sustain the environment and drive out costs wherever possible.  Achieving these changes only happens with everyone on board, our Teams, our suppliers and our Customers”