Case Study: Tidesong Bed & Breakfast

Date: 21st July 2006

1. Business Background

Business type
Bed & Breakfast

Main products
Hospitality

Number of staff
2 working proprietors

How long has your business been operating?
9 years

What are your main markets?
54 % international / 46 % domestic

What factors affect the success of your business?
Seasonality

2. Sustainable Business Practices

What does sustainability mean to your business?
Attempting to use less resources

What sustainable business practices was your business using before being involved in this project?

•  Recycling glass, tin and aluminium, some plastics

•  Started an environmental group and involved in Catchment Care Group

What was involved for your business in the project?
Time

Where did the motivation come from to become involved in this project?
Interested in Green Globe, finding something local

Who has been involved in the project to date and why?
Both owners

How much time did your business spend on this initiative?
2 days plus

What steps has your business implemented since the start of the project?

• More recycling
• More use of bikes
• More awareness of packaging

How do you see your business maintaining its commitment to the process started by this project?

Through the review process

3. Commitments to Sustainability

The Action Plan included a Statement of Intent, which set out the steps we have committed to take in support of the Northland Tourism Charter, over the immediate, medium and long term. In summary, these are:

Commitments to the Environment

•  Using microfibre cleaning cloths

•  Using environmentally certified products

•  Reducing packaging

•  Ongoing commitment to the Taiharuru Catchment Care Group

Commitments to our Community

•  Increased contact with community and local school – enabling children to interact with the coastal marine area at Tidesong and learn about its importance and protection

•  Liaising with Ratepayers Association, Iwi, and Northland Regional Council

•  Liaising with suppliers

Commitments to the Business

•  Creating a vision for the business

•  Monitoring energy and water use / rainfall

•  Monitoring social activity – time and resources donated

4. Advice to Others

What advice would you give to other businesses interested in becoming involved in a similar type of initiative?

•  It depends where they are starting from – the approach can be made to suit the situation

5.  Benefits of Being in the Project

•  Hopefully a draw card for people looking for a place to stay

•  Focussing and streamlining ideas

•  An on-going organic process

6. Roadblocks to Sustainability

Time in investigating and trialing suitable products, and additional costs

Contact Details
Organisation: Tidesong
Contact Person: Ros Cole-Baker
Address: Beasley Rd , R D 1, Onerahi
Phone: (09) 436 1959
E-mail: stay@tidesong.co.nz
www.tidesong.co.nz

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