In a world where the allure of travel often collides with the imperative to protect our planet, the concept of sustainable tourism is more important now than ever before.
For anyone who doesn’t know, sustainable tourism is the idea of protecting the natural environment and community while also making sure all visitors have an authentic experience that respects local culture. When visiting any destination, it’s important to understand the way we experience the world, while also embracing practices that nurture both the destinations we visit and the communities that call them home.
Here in Grey County, we strive to reach a fully sustainable tourism standard and encourage all visitors to visit responsibly. If you are looking to stay in Grey County, we suggest you check out some of these sustainable businesses.
Stay:
Cobble Beach Resort was the first of many Canadian resorts to fully partner with the Keep Eco Refillery to eliminate all single use plastics from their guest rooms. All Inn rooms and cottages alike feature refillable dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash as well as refillable pumps for hand soap and moisturizer. All products featured are locally sourced, organic and cruelty free. Plastic water bottles have been eliminated on resort grounds as well, they did this by installing refill stations at specific locations resort wide! The resort has also taken away all disposable cups or mugs from Inn rooms, providing reusable options instead.
The Club House at Cobble Beach golf club is heated and cooled through geothermal energy, limiting the resort's fossil fuel use by tons! The Club House has also removed all single use towels and napkins, and offers reusable hand towels in their place.
Located near the scenic village of Priceville, ReLive Retreat is fully committed to providing a unique experience with nature, while also prioritizing sustainability in experience and architecture alike. How do they achieve this great feat? They follow the idea that they shall not leave any impact on the environment around them.
Currently offering two solar powered Mongolian yurts, a hilltop chalet styled cabin, an a frame cottage and a truly unique sleeping capsule, ReLive Retreat is your invitation to immerse yourself in all things relaxation and rejuvenation. Spend the morning cooking over the fire or enjoying the wood-burning sauna.
Since Blue Mountain Resort is a place for people to immerse themselves in nature it is no surprise that they act as stewards and protectors of the natural playground. They do this by enforcing the Leave No Trace policy with guests and encouraging visitors to be mindful of energy use and littering on the trails.
One interesting thing that the resort and the village both do is use 100% recyclable receipt paper by Eco Chit. For every case purchased, two mangrove trees are planted. As a result, approximately 150 trees every are planted every month!
In our efforts to reduce single-use plastics on resort, we have eliminated plastic takeaway containers and in favor of biodegradable containers made from eco-friendly materials. We've also replaced traditional plastic utensils with an innovative alternative made from agave, a plant-based material that is both renewable and compostable.
Eat:
Bruce Wine Bar offers a fully locally sourced menu which features specialty meals like wood fired pizza and sustainably sourced seafood as well as numerous house crafted cocktails, Ontario crafted beers and a well curated wine list.
Bruce is Feast On certified meaning they have been recognized by the Culinary Tourism Alliance for serving Ontario grown food and drinks. They also carry the Ocean Wise designation designed to help businesses and their customers make environmentally friendly choices. Bruce only serves 100% sustainable fish and works with local suppliers and fish farmers to that end as well.
Down Home is a farmhouse restaurant nestled in the Grey Highlands countryside. The Restaurant is a locally based culinary experience, gathering all ingredients from Bruce, Grey, and Simcoe County! Their menu is ever changing due to the fact that what they put on the menu depends on what they forage, what’s in their fields and what their farmers feel passionate about. Down Home Restaurant is Feast On certified and focuses on organic and regenerative farming.
At Pom Pom Ice Cream Hut they believe that great taste and great ingredients should trump all else. That’s why their vegan ice cream is handmade in small batches with only the finest, locally sourced ingredients. Seasonal and revolving flavours are featured at the scoop shop, while the fan favourites are available at select retailers. They feature flavours like Peach Bourbon, Blue Lavendar and Matcha.
Did you know there are 2 Pom Pom Treat hut locations! There is the iconic Pom Pom Ice Cream Hut in Thornbury and a Pom Pom Ice Cream Storefront in Meaford!
Shop:
It is believed at the Eco Refillary that a person should follow four pillars when shopping: mind, body, spirit, and planet. By doing this they believe that we can reduce the number of impulse purchases that we make and limit our mass consumer culture. Instead, they encourage us to spend money on things that bring us joy. The Eco Refillary offers several health, wellness, and hygiene products as well as sustainable cleaning supplies, diffusers and of course the infamous refill wall. The Eco Refillary also offers classes where you can learn things like candle making or ecofriendly cleaning supplies.
Sideroad Farm is a small family run farm located not far from Walter’s Falls, growing certified organic vegetables and cut flowers, and raising pastured chicken and pork. They sell their products at their farm store, which is located on the property. They also sell products at the Collingwood Farmers’ Market, thanks to their CSA programs and to local retail and restaurant establishments.
Sideroad is certified organic, part of Artisanal Chicken Growers and members of The Local Flower Collective and the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.
Keeps Refillery Meaford is a must see for anyone interested in sustainability. They say their sole mission is to make it easy to reduce single use plastic consumption. They offer a range of waste-free products, provided by close loop suppliers. All products are locally sourced, all natural, organic, cruelty free and plastic free.
Other Sustainable Tourism Activities:
Outdoor Adventures: Doing outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and swimming in Grey County’s many rivers or lakes are great options for sustainable tourist activities. Try to leave no trace to minimize impact on fragile ecosystems.
Cultural Experiences: Participating in authentic cultural experiences, like cooking classes, traditional craft workshops, or homestays, that support local artisans and communities while promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
Ecotourism: Engaging in activities such as wildlife watching, birdwatching, or guided nature hikes in protected areas, with a focus on conservation and minimal disturbance to natural habitats.
How can you be a sustainable tourist?
Looking for tips or tricks to help you keep sustainability in mind while exploring? Look no further, these are our top tips!
- Carpool or take the bus: Limiting the number of vehicles coming in and out of tourist centers not only limits traffic, but also cuts down on the release of fossil fuels! Did you know that Grey Transit Route goes to Sauble Beach?
- Power down / turn off the lights when you leave: Make sure not to have unnecessary appliances on, let’s not waste power or energy!
- Stay on the trail: Staying on marked trails protects the delicate eco systems that build up the green spaces in Grey County!
- Leave no trace in your environment: Make sure to take all your litter and belongings with you when you leave! Leave no trace that you were there!
