In celebration of World Earth Day 2025, we are delighted to spotlight some of our members who have placed sustainability and responsible tourism at the heart of their business.
Blenheim Palace is a World Heritage Site, home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The attraction was named Sustainable Tourism Provider of the Year at the 2024 UKinbound Awards for Excellence for its outstanding sustainable tourism initiatives, commitment as guardians of the local environment, and their engagement with local communities.
What does sustainability mean to Blenheim Palace, and why is it so important?
At Blenheim Palace, sustainability is rooted in our mission to conserve, preserve, and restore – not only our World Heritage Site, but also the planet. It means protecting our legacy for future generations through community-focused practices that balance environmental, social, and economic priorities. It’s important because we see ourselves as stewards of history and nature, with a responsibility to lead by example.
Can you share an example of a successful sustainability initiative?
Our reusable cup initiative is a standout success. By eliminating single-use cups across all our cafés, we’ve diverted over 100,000 cups from landfill annually. With a returnable cup system now in place, visitors pay a £2 deposit, encouraging returns and reuse. After just three uses, these cups become more carbon-efficient than single-use alternatives, showing how small actions can lead to significant environmental savings.
How do you measure the impact of your sustainability efforts?
We track and quantify our progress rigorously, from reducing carbon emissions by 20% through our electric fleet to achieving a 41% drop in water usage since 2018. We also measure tree planting (around 5,000 trees last year alone through visitor contributions), biodiversity enhancements, and reductions in waste and energy consumption. These metrics keep us accountable and focused on our goal to become carbon neutral by 2027 on scopes 1-3.
How do you educate and encourage your visitors to support your sustainability ethos before, during and after their visit?
We inspire sustainable choices at every touchpoint. When booking, visitors can offset travel emissions by planting a tree, and those who travel via green transport receive a 20% discount. On-site, we offer digital maps to reduce paper waste, encourage walking and cycling, and highlight our green practices across the estate. After their visit, we hope guests leave feeling inspired to adopt more sustainable habits themselves.
What can the industry do better to encourage and promote sustainable travel?
We believe collaboration is key. The industry should share best practices openly, support each other’s green goals, and standardise sustainability measures to build consumer trust. Incentivising eco-friendly travel and showcasing success stories, like Blenheim Palace’s, can shift perceptions and behaviours toward sustainability being the norm, not the exception.
What government support does the industry need to ensure sustainable travel becomes the norm?
Government backing is essential, from funding green infrastructure like EV charging and rural public transport to incentivising heritage sites and tourism operators to decarbonise. Clear policies and long-term support can help us transition faster, enabling more sites to invest in innovation and scale sustainable practices with confidence.
