LIVERPOOL is now officially one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly conference destinations after achieving gold status from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS).

ACC Liverpool achieved the gold standard alongside the new Jury’s Inn Hotel, with other hotels achieving silver and bronze accreditations.

Jacquie Rogers, General Manager of the BT Convention Centre, Liverpool, says: “As the first convention centre in England to achieve gold on this scheme, we are pleased to be setting the benchmark for other such venues to follow.

“Our in-house green dream team has been the driving force behind achieving our green standards and we have worked together as an organisation to implement these. As a result, we aim to attract more business to the venue and to Liverpool, as well as showcasing the very best that England has to offer within the conference and meetings industry.”

GTBS is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme where businesses are assessed against a strict set of criteria, including rigorous assessment of energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity. Those that meet the required standard receive a bronze, silver or gold award based on their level of achievement.

Jury’s Inn Liverpool recycles as much as possible and has a target to divert 70% of waste from landfill to recycling over the next 12 months.

The Mersey Partnership has helped fund the assessment and accreditation as part of the drive to make tourism in the city centre and beyond more environmentally aware and ultimately more successful.

Other Liverpool city centre hotels accredited are Crowne Plaza, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Holiday Inn, Malmaison, and Radisson SAS.