TV presenter promoting eco-tourism

Television presenter Philippa Forrester will be telling Lincolnshire firms how to draw in a new breed of eco-tourist at an event tomorrow.

Forrester, who has appeared on Tomorrow's World, Robot Wars and Children's BBC, will be making her latest appearance at the annual county tourism conference.

The event is called Success Through Quality and takes place at the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa.

In addition to looking at eco-tourism it will also aim to give businesses the tools and confidence to explore opportunities to promote themselves within the county's tourism sector, which is currently worth £958 million.

Forrester said she was keen to experience the wildlife and natural beauty of the county.

"I am looking forward to my stay in Lincolnshire immensely," she said.

"I have travelled all over the world filming wildlife and writing travel articles about some of it's most beautiful places, and yet, most of the natural history programmes that I make are about the wildlife and beauty here in the UK, on our own doorsteps.

"I am continually fascinated by those places where luxurious accommodation and care for a visitor is combined successfully with showing off the wildlife of the area; yet at the same time, contributing to ongoing care of the local environment and community.

"I truly believe that this is the only future for tourism."

One of the leading green tourism businesses in Lincolnshire is the Poachers Hideaway in the Wolds area. Manager, and local wildlife ambassador, Andrew Tuxworth, said that eco-friend accommodations and attractions could offer a top-quality stay for tourists.

"People don't usually associate green tourism with luxury, but that is exactly what we offer at Poachers Hideaway," he said.

"Our six restored cottages offer high quality accommodation with a minimal carbon footprint. By day, people can enjoy some of the best views in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

"It's the little changes that make a big difference, and our guests are really interested in what we are doing and how they fit into the bigger picture."