Visit Cardiff and Cardiff Harbour Authority have teamed up with charities, including Keep Wales Tidy and Surfers Against Sewage to launch an Eco-Tourism campaign.

Coinciding with World Oceans Day last weekend, the campaign will build on the sustainability lessons learned during the Volvo Ocean Race last year – and aim to inspire businesses in the leisure and tourism sector, and visitors to the city, to change behaviour.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury said:

“Cardiff has a fantastic reputation as an event city but the drive to minimise the environmental impact of Volvo Ocean Race was a real catalyst for us to start looking at how we can make our whole events programme more sustainable.”

“Programmes like Blue Planet have obviously increased awareness of this type of issue – the demand for change is out there. So we wanted to share our experiences and the solutions we've found to some of these issues with businesses and visitors, so that we can help the leisure and tourism sector here in Cardiff adapt to the changes the public are looking for.”

“Every year Cardiff Harbour Authority collect around 430 tonnes of rubbish from the waters of Cardiff Bay, much of it plastic.  These guides will hopefully go some way to helping business and individuals play their part in reducing that figure.”

The launch event, which was hosted by Lucy Owen, included:

• Wouter Poortinga of Cardiff University talked about Policies, behaviour and single use plastic
• Louise Tambini of Keep Wales Tidy covered Future Proofing Tourism
• Skipping Rocks Lab demonstrated their packaging solutions made from seaweed and plants that disappear naturally.
• Environmental Activist and Adventurer Sian Sykes talked about plastic free communities.
• Cal Major from Paddle against Plastic covered the importance of reconnecting to nature.
• The chance to visit an Eco Lounge furnished with items made from rubbish found in Cardiff Bay.
• A boat tour of the Rivers Taff and Ely with members of the Harbour Authority Environment Team to see how the team manage the huge amount of waste that enters Cardiff Bay.

Louise Tambini, Operations Director at Keep Wales Tidy, said:

“We are delighted to be part of Visit Cardiff's Eco-Tourism Campaign. The Volvo Ocean Race was ground-breaking in its approach to sustainability and it is fantastic to see this has left a lasting legacy in Cardiff.

“We are all responsible for caring for our environment, so it's crucial that we come together to tackle the issue of plastic pollution and ensure a sustainable world for future generations. We hope that Visit Cardiff's campaign will inspire tourism businesses and visitors to take positive action and change their behaviour for the long-term.”

Two guides, bringing together sustainability advice from key stakeholders and encouraging businesses and tourists to share their sustainability experiences, were launched at the event.