Liverpool has recently become one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly conference destinations after achieving ‘gold’ from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). ACC Liverpool achieved the gold standard alongside the new Jury’s Inn Hotel, with other city centre hotels achieving silver and bronze accreditations.

Jacquie Rogers, General Manager of the BT Convention Centre, Liverpool, said: "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. Accreditation is achieved after 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, along with other city centre hotels, boast a strict environmental policy. The hotel recycles as much as possible and has a target to divert 70% of waste from landfill to recycling over the next 12 months. Additionally the hotel only uses the most environmentally friendly cleaning products.

GTBS accreditations make the city one of the greenest places for businesses to hold their conference, or for business and leisure travellers to stay in.

Stephen Roberts, Chair of Liverpool Hoteliers, said "This is great news for the area; Liverpool is the only compact city centre with this kind of offer. Environmental issues are becoming increasingly important when businesses are deciding on conference venues and with the added bonus of hotels improving their green credentials, this is making the city a very attractive place for business visitors."

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.

Lorraine Rogers, Chief Executive of The Mersey Partnership, said: "For ACC Liverpool and so many hotels to achieve this status really is good news for the city. Green credentials are a factor for conference buyers in both the public and private sector. Business visitors to the region are a vital part of our economy and in a competitive market it is important we are doing all we can to attract plenty of conference bookings and business stays."

Other Liverpool city centre hotels accredited are Crowne Plaza, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Holiday Inn, Malmaison, and Radisson SAS. Other venues with the green award are Devonshire House Hotel, Blackburne House, International Inn, YHA, Gateway Conference Centre, Tate Liverpool and Sefton Palm House, New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion and Theatre and Conference Centre.