by Bradley — published on July 8th, 2008
The UN World Tourism Organization is leading a major initiative, dubbed, “Tourism: Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change.” The year-long campaign, which will kick off on September 27, 2008, World Tourism Day, will encourage travel-related businesses, non-governmental organizations, NGOs, and governmental agencies to take measures to reduce the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions and adapt sustainable businesses practices.
The issue of climate change is particularly critical for the tourism industry. Few business sectors are more dependent on weather and climate, and destinations in California–and worldwide–already feel the affects of global warming–from a shrinking snow pack at California ski resorts to catastrophic wildfire across the state.
Tourism also contributes to climate change, primarily related to transporting and accommodating tourists. With the projected growth in tourism, it becomes increasingly important for businesses to mitigate their impacts on climate and the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, instituting water and energy conservation, and shifting to renewable energy.
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by Bradley — published on July 5th, 2008
The National Geographic Society–publisher of National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic Adventure–formed the Center for Sustainable Destinations with the mission “to protecting all the world’s distinctive places through wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship.”
The center coined the term “geotourism” to describe this market niche, and defines it as:
“Tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Geotourism incorporates the concept of sustainable tourism—that destinations should remain unspoiled for future generations—while allowing for enhancement that protects the character of the locale.
“Geotourism also adopts a principle from its cousin, ecotourism—that tourism revenue can promote conservation—and extends that principle beyond nature travel to encompass culture and history as well: all distinctive assets of a place.”
The Center for Sustainable Destinations offers resources for destination communities and travel industry professionals designed to promote the goals of geotourism.
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by Bradley — published on June 13th, 2008
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy provided a number of grants in fiscal year 2008, to enhance tourism and recreational opportunities in the range. Below are examples of some of those grants:
- Ash Creek Restoration and Modoc Rail Line Acquisition in Lassen and Modoc counties;
- Mill Site Restoration in Lassen County;
- Feather River Learning Landscapes and Fish Hatchery;
- Plumas County Trails;
- Mammoth Lakes;
- Fresno Agri-Tourism;
- Yosemite Gateway Communities.
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by Bradley — published on June 9th, 2008
The California Travel and Tourism Commission offers two free marketing tools to the hospitality industry, local communities, and destinations:
- What’s New in California, quarterly newsletter that is distributed to over 3,000 media outlets and travel journalists worldwide, and
- VisitCalifornia.com, the state’s official tourism website.
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by Bradley — published on January 24th, 2007
British Prime Minister Tony Blair gave a boost to “carbon offsets” with his January 2007 announcement that he would offset the environmental impact of his personal air travel.
There are a growing number of organizations and businesses–in the U.S. and abroad–that provide carbon offsets designed to mitigate the environmental impact of travel, some of which are listed below. In addition, there are some links to additional information about these programs.
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by Bradley — published on December 29th, 2006
The United Nations World Tourism Organization adopted the ten point Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (PDF) at the organization’s General Assembly meeting in Santiago, Chile, October 1999. According to Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization:
“The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism sets a frame of reference for the responsible and sustainable development of world tourism. . . With international tourism forecast to nearly triple in volume over the next 20 years, members of the World Tourism Organization believe that the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism is needed to help minimize the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and on cultural heritage while maximizing the benefits for residents of tourism destinations.
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by Bradley — published on July 15th, 2006
The Rainforest Alliance has published a Guide for Sustainable Tourism Best Practices. The guide, aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, includes a series of principles and concrete recommendations that can be implemented by companies, communities and individuals whose livelihood depends on land-use.
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by Bradley — published on July 15th, 2006
Sustainable Tourism International has teamed up with George Washington University’s International Institute of Tourism Studies to offer an online hospitality management curriculum that integrates the principles of ecotourism and responsible travel. The program includes:
- Sustainable Management for Tourism Destinations,
- EcoToursim Management,
- EcoLodge Development,
- Corporate Social Responsibility for Tour Operators, and
- Community-based Tourism Development.
For more information, contact STI, info@sustainabletravel.com.