STEPHEN PULLINGER The Broads has been sharing its proud examples of green tourism enterprises with national park delegates from all over Britain. Visitors from national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty as far afield as the Cairngorms and the Isle of Wight have been taken on a two-day tour of the Broads as a launch event for the Charter Parks Network.

STEPHEN PULLINGER

The Broads has been sharing its proud examples of green tourism enterprises with national park delegates from all over Britain.

Visitors from national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty as far afield as the Cairngorms and the Isle of Wight have been taken on a two-day tour of the Broads as a launch event for the Charter Parks Network.

The network is made up of national parks from across Europe that aim to achieve the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism.

The Broads was the first national park in England to earn the accolade in the summer, and the Broads Authority's head of tourism Bruce Hanson said it reflected the fact the region had a "very high reputation internationally in sustainable tourism".

The tour started on Thursday with a trip to Whitlingham Country Park, described by Mr Hanson as "the interface between the city and the national park".

Yesterday's programme began with a trip to Rollesby Broad to learn about the management partnership with Essex and Suffolk Water.

Delegates then visited Clippesby Hall caravan and camping site, which has been accredited under the Green Tourism Business Scheme for its sustainable approach.

Mr Hanson said: "If businesses operate in a way that is good for the environment it can also increase profitability. That is even more the case now that people are becoming increasingly aware of issues such as global warming and are liable to choose to stay somewhere that cares for the environment."

The final stop was the How Hill Estate, near Ludham, where visitors took to the water on the Broads Authority's solar-powered boat Ra and the electric craft Electric Eel. They also watched reedcutter Eric Edwards in action.