Managing the impact of tourism on water resources

Helping tourism businesses use water wisely while protecting the places visitors come to enjoy.

Sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism is about reducing the impact visitors have on the special places they come to see. Tourism plays a vital role in our region, but visitors can also put extra pressure on local water supplies.

Using water wisely can make a big difference, helping to protect the environment while keeping operating costs under control.

Whether you run a hotel, campsite, holiday park, visitor attraction or leisure facility, encouraging guests to conserve water supports both your business and the places your customers come to enjoy.

Proudly displaying your water efficiency measures can be part of your wider sustainability approach, giving your guests an extra feel-good factor about your offering.

Why water efficiency matters for tourism business

During peak seasons, water demand can significantly increase. By improving water efficiency, you can:

Reduce water and energy costs
Improve resilience during dry or hot weather
Leave more water in local rivers to support natural habitats
Show guests that your business takes sustainability seriously
Meet environmental standards and customer expectations (water usage impacts your carbon footprint, because water treatment uses electricity).

Where you and your visitors can save water

For you: Laundry and cleaning

Washing bedlinen and towels are major water users in tourism:

Run washing machines and dishwashers when fully loaded
Use eco or low‑water wash settings where available
Consider towel and linen reuse schemes, with clear opt‑in messaging for guests.

Your guests: Encouraging guests to help save water

Most visitors are happy to help with being water wise when it’s easy and clearly explained.

Provide gentle water-saving messaging in bathrooms
Explain how saving water helps protect the local area they’re visiting
Encourage shorter showers or turn off the mixer shower while soaping up
Turn off the taps while brushing your teeth
Encourage guests to report dripping taps and leaky loos. You could create a QR code which links to a form, that is sent to your maintenance team.

For you: Outdoor and seasonal water use

Significant volumes of water outdoors during the spring and summer months.

Use drought‑tolerant plants in your outdoor area
Water outdoor areas, soil not the leaves in early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation
Add mulch to your planted areas, it will keep moisture in the soil and cut the time you need to spend watering
Use a water butt to collect rainwater for non‑essential outdoor tasks.

We’re here to support you

We work with non‑household customers to improve water efficiency across the tourism and visitor sector. Support may include:

Water efficiency visits
Guidance on water‑saving

Using water wisely doesn’t have to mean compromising on guest experience, it’s about using water carefully, efficiently and responsibly.