DESTINATION Worcestershire, which promotes the county as a tourist destination, is launching a series of green tourism initiatives.

One of its first activities is to provide a free pack of promotional cards to every small hotel and B&B in the county with fewer than 20 bedrooms.

The card is similar to the laundry card seen in some large hotel chains encouraging people to be more economic with water when bathing and showering.

It prompts guests to request clean towels only when fresh ones are really needed, to further save water and reduce environmental impact.

Printed on recycled card, the reverse offers five simple steps visitors can take to be more responsible tourists.

They include shopping for locally-produced products, refusing to buy over-packaged items and taking advantage of the miles of footpaths and cycle paths the county has to offer instead of driving everywhere.

Sustainable tourism is increasingly on the national agenda and Destination Worcestershire worked with the Cornish Sustainable Tourism Network to develop the scheme since it implemented a similar initiative last year, as well as Worcestershire County Council and Advantage West Midlands.

Rod Nipper, manager of Destination Worcestershire, said: "Worcestershire has great potential as a green tourism destination.

“However, sometimes climate change and sustainable development is seen as such a huge topic that it's easy for people to lose sight of the fact that even the smallest gesture can make a difference, long term.

“That's why Destination Worcestershire is keen to develop initiatives that are easy for visitors and tourism businesses to buy in to.

“We've created sustainable shopping bags that are available to buy from Bewdley and Worcester tourist information centres.

“We've held two sustainable tourism conferences and established an awards scheme that recognises businesses who are passionate about the area and its local produce, as well as encouraging more local tourism businesses to take part in the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

“There's still lots to do but, together, we are taking positive steps towards a greener Worcestershire."