28. Find out how Stroud Brewery and Stonehouse Court Hotel are working together as part of VisitGloucestershire's Sustainability Champions to help each other and drive change

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In today’s podcast I had the pleasure of chatting to two independent tourism organisations based in Gloucestershire who are leading the way in not only making their businesses as sustainable as possible, they are also on a journey to changing our thinking around how we spend our leisure time – including what we choose to eat and drink.

This week I was talking to Greg Pilley, Managing Director of Stroud Brewery, Sarah Brewster owner of Stonehouse Court Hotel and Visit Gloucestershire's sustainability lead Hannah McDonnell.

Greg and Sarah are both part of the Sustainability Champions network brought together by Visit Gloucestershire – one of the first Destination Management Organisations to make a commitment to Net Zero by 2050 as part of the Glasgow declaration for climate action.

As travel returns to pre-COVID levels, and overtourism and greenwashing remain a concern, there’s never been a more critical time for businesses to consider their own environmental impact and what changes they can start to implement now.

• Hannah talks about the purpose of the Sustainability Champions and how others can get involved or be inspired to set something up in their local area.
• Greg talks passionately about how he has set up Stroud Brewery as a certified organic brewery - one of only 5 in the country - and now has certified BCorp status.
• Sarah shares how she is transforming the 17th Century hotel with a variety of actions, from temperature controls in rooms to installing electric vehicle charging points.

We also discuss some interesting ideas around how a rural destination can support and promote its sustainability credentials and how businesses can do their bit to help visitors make more sustainable choices.

Connect with this week’s guests on LinkedIn:

Hannah McDonnell Greg Pilley Sarah Brewster

Find out more:

Visit Gloucestershire

Sustainability Champions partnership

Stroud Brewery

Stonehouse Court Hotel

Find out more about the marketing strategy and mentoring services with the Visitor Elves.
This episode is sponsored by Hello Starling.

Hello Starling, is an award-winning Media Planning and Buying agency that specialises in delivering advertising campaigns with great results for visitor attractions and destinations.
They've worked with brands such as Bristol Zoo Project, Visit Shropshire, Visit Conwy, Visit Herefordshire and the National Tourism Office for Poland. If you want to be the centre of attention, visit hellostarling.com today.
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