Sustainability and Tourism

In Partnership with: ECU’s Office of Innovation, Engagement and

Economic Development

Tourism in North CarolinaIn 2010

• Sixth most visited state in the U.S• with 36.8 million visitors• who spent $17 billion while visiting the state

• directly supporting 185,500 jobs• and contributing $1.5 million in state and

local taxes

Easy to Understand Why

But Might Not Stay that Way

Some broad questions to ponder?• What will we rename Glacier National Park?• How limited can a view be due to air pollution and

still be breathtaking? • What happens if ski resorts can’t make snow until

after Christmas?• How many people can hike on the same trail before

you’re just standing in a line?• Will the destinations you visited as a child still be

there to take your children (or grandchildren)?

Is travel sustainable?

Greening of Tourism Industry

State Level Sustainable Tourism

Why pursue sustainability in tourism?

1. Decrease costs/improve profits; 2. Responding to consumer demand; 3. Governmental regulation;4. Contribute to the well-being of the

community.

Core Mission of Our CenterTo transform the tourism industry in its adoption and application of sustainable actions for positive economic growth and general community development.

a) graduate education and training b) research, and c) service and consultancy.

Target audiences: tourism businesses, government entities, NGO’s and individual travelers.

Some Trends… • All things equal, travelers prefer greener options

• Small, but growing, segment of travel market are seeking greener travel options

• Conflict between luxury and green is over

• Travelers are becoming better educated and more demanding about sustainable tourism

• Business travel leading the way

• Not all green practices have same impact on cost savings or attracting customers

• Very strong and growing number of travelers seeking authentic experiences

Alex NaarDirector of Sustainable Tourism Outreach

Office of Innovation, Engagement, and Economic Developmentand Center for Sustainable Tourism

Email: naara@ECU.edu

Telephone: (252)737-1346www.sustainabletourism.org

Serving the Region, State and Nation.