CREST Newsletter- Issue 2, March:April 2014...1333H0St.,0NW0 0Suite03000East0Tower0 0Washington,0DC0200050 0P:0202C347C9203 0F:0202C775C08190 0 [email protected] 0 0 CREST!is!pleased!to!be!partnering!with!the!Caribbean!Tourism!Organization!(CTO)!and!the!

Center for Responsible Travel Transforming the Way the World Travels

www.responsibletravel.org

1333 H St., NW ■ Suite 300 East Tower ■ Washington, DC 20005 ■ P: 202-‐347-‐9203 ■ F: 202-‐775-‐0819 www.responsibletravel.org ■ www.travelersphilanthropy.org ■ [email protected]

CREST Newsletter: Issue 2, March/April 2014 ______________________________________________________________________________

In March, CREST released its 2014 report, The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends and Statistics, which examines a wide range of surveys and studies done in the past five years to assess consumer and industry commitment to responsible travel. This new meta-‐analysis finds “increasing recognition among both travel professionals and consumers of the importance of responsible travel” and concludes that “green travel is here to stay.” CREST’s new 2014 report updates the first edition, published in January 2013. A sampling of the findings in the eight page report include: • TripAdvisor surveys find that 79% of travelers globally “think that it’s important accommodation providers have eco-‐friendly practices” and 85% of U.S. hoteliers say they have green practices in place. • A 2013 Travel Guard survey of travel agents found that 24% reported that “interest in green travel is currently the highest it's ever been in the last 10 years, and 51% reported that interest has remained constant throughout this time period.” • 67% of U.S. consumers are now “looking for ‘greener’ products,” according to the 2012 study by MIT Sloan Management Review. • Environmental concern is “the biggest social trend for the rest of our careers.” according to Daniel Levine, Executive Director of the Avant-‐Guide Institute, New York. The CREST study was prepared in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Caribbean Tourism Organization, and eight other leading tourism organizations and institutions, all of whom are helping to distribute it. See the full study, press release, and press coverage.

CREST’s 2014 Trends and Statistics Report Finds ‘Green’ Travel is Here to Stay


CREST is pleased to be partnering with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Ministry of Tourism in Grenada to organize the 3rd Symposium for Innovators in Coastal Tourism which will be held on the Caribbean island, July 9-‐11, 2014. This unique event will bring together 100 to 150 ‘green’ developers and operators who are breaking the mold of cookie-‐cutter resort development and mass-‐market cruise ships with innovative, sustainable tourism models. In addition to business leaders, a select group of participants are being invited from key government agencies, NGOs, academia, community organizations, and international development organizations. The Symposium will be held at St. George’s University, and delegates will stay in four eco-‐boutique resorts near the campus. It will include field trips to visit leading tourism attractions in Grenada. The Grenada Innovators Symposium follows CREST’s two previous Symposiums held at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California in 2010 and in Los Cabos, Mexico in 2013. Like the previous symposiums, the Grenada gathering has a geographic focus on the Americas. The partnership builds on the strengths of the three collaborating organizations. CREST is principally responsible for organizing the agenda and lining up speakers. The Symposium will serve as CTO’s annual sustainable tourism conference for its members. And Grenada will use the Symposium to showcase its new destination marketing brand, “Pure Grenada” that is designed to sustain and enhance the country’s natural and cultural attractions. For Symposium details, including registration, confirmed speakers and speaker applications, visit the Symposium website: www.ctocrestsymposium.com or contact CREST at [email protected].

This March CREST launched its new documentary film, The Goose with the Golden Eggs to much acclaim. Provocative and informative, this film examines the impacts of different models of coastal tourism in Costa Rica, from small-‐scale eco-‐lodges and a sustainable mid-‐sized resort to

CREST and CTO Hosting 3rd Innovators Symposium in Grenada, West Indies, July 9-‐11

"Goose with the Golden Eggs" Shown at DC Environmental Film Festival, Stanford University, and Costa Rica


large-‐scale resorts, vacation homes, and cruise ships. Featuring interviews with Margarita Penon, Costa Rica’s former First Lady and member of Congress (and a CREST Board of Director), the film premiered at the World Bank in October 2013. It was accepted to be part of Washington’s prestigious DC Environmental Film Festival and was shown to a packed house in March. The

film is also being premiered at Stanford University on May 2, at a Center for Latin American Studies forum. The two filmmakers, Charlene Music and Peter Jordan, will join CREST’s Co-‐Directors in presenting the film. In Costa Rica, the film is being shown to key policy makers in the new government which takes office in May. It is also being used by Fundacion Corcovado as an educational tool with Costa Rican communities affected by tourism-‐related development. Over the next few months, Margarita Penon will help lead further efforts to use the film stimulate public discussion about the future direction for tourism in Costa Rica. A short preview of the film is available on the CREST website, where the 34 minute documentary can be downloaded for a small fee or ordered in DVD format. Available in English and Spanish versions.

CREST has just completed a successful partnership with students from the George Washington University’s Master of Tourism Administration program to conduct a survey about travelers’ philanthropy among a sample of travel businesses in CREST’s database. This is part of CREST’s efforts to revitalize our Travelers’ Philanthropy program. As one of our original, core programs, Travelers’ Philanthropy encourages businesses, destinations, and travelers to strategically invest “time, talent, and treasure” into

projects that further the wellbeing of local communities and the environment in travel destinations. A critical first step in this revitalization effort is to understand the current state and future opportunities for Travelers’ Philanthropy within the industry, starting with those with whom we work most closely. The GWU survey was designed to assess the level of involvement these businesses have in ‘give back’ programs in their local communities.

George Washington University/CREST Travelers’ Philanthropy Survey


The results were very encouraging. Here are some of the findings: • Out of 114 businesses that completed the survey, 88% of respondents indicated that they give consistently on an annual basis to community activities, events, organizations, or projects.

• Of that 88%, 75% of the companies give monetary/financial donations, 75% of the companies volunteer employee time, and 67% of companies donate material.

• Within these companies, guest/visitor contributions of “time, talent and treasure” are distributed as follows: 62% financial donations, 53% material donations, and 39.09% volunteer time.

• The types of projects most widely supported by these businesses are: o Education/Schools (83%) o Environmental conservation (80%) o Youth Programs (46%) o Infrastructure/Public Services (41%) o Healthcare (39%) o Reforestation (34%)

• When asked if their companies would be interested in discussing how CREST could help their business create or grow a community-‐giving project, 40% of the respondents said yes, 28% said no and 30% were not sure.

CREST is extremely pleased to see this continued interest and involvement in Travelers’ Philanthropy, and looks forward to further upgrading and expanding our support of projects worldwide. If your travel business is interested in working with us on a community-‐giving project, please contact CREST program associate, Samantha Hogenson, at [email protected].

Peru: Patacancha Primary School Trout Farm Project Peru’s many treasures are showcased on CW Adventures’ Peru: Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valleyadventure, however it’s the country’s culture and people that are truly extraordinary. Patacancha is a small, highland community, above Ollantaytambo and a three and a half-‐hour walk into the Patacancha Valley. Here, local health workers have found that some 50% of the children are malnourished. This, along with walking long distances to school—sometimes four hours each day—contributes to the children’s poor school grades and erratic attendance. The Patacancha Primary School Trout Farm Project was built in 2010 with funding from CW Adventures. Though initially successful, the project unfortunately failed after one season. Naturally, there were learnings from this challenging season; together with the Alma Foundation,

Travelers’ Philanthropy Partner Spotlight: CW Adventures


based in Canada, CW Adventures applied these learnings to assure a sustainable project moving forward. The trout farm was re-‐opened and re-‐stocked with trout, thus providing nutrition for the school children, whose diet had been primarily potatoes.

The farm is now run by the Patacancha School, with the assistance of a technical advisor employed by the regional government. The project provides three trout-‐based lunches a week, prepared by the mothers in the community. Information about nutrition and local aquaculture is also a benefit of this daily endeavor. Community parents contribute labor to the project, in the form of faenas, or community work days. It has been noted that the children’s health and levels of concentration

and school achievement has improved. As well, these healthy meals serve as an incentive for consistent school attendance. As levels of trout production increase, it is anticipated that some of the fish can be sold at the local market, thus ensuring the sustainability of the trout farm. In recent months, the project has experienced exciting developments. An incubator is now functioning and the trout farm has hatched over 7 thousand eggs. The farm is now fully equipped with a mill and pellet maker, with trout food being produced. And, the Patacancha community has formed a Trout Farm Committee; the Committee will soon begin project supervision and administration. Today the beneficiaries of the project are: • 20 infants attend part of the school-‐day program and enjoy trout meals. • 134 children belong to the primary module of the school and benefit from trout meals. • In addition to the children’s meals, the adults of the community have fresh trout available to them for purchase and consumption. Much effort and funding has been dedicated to the Patacancha Primary School Trout Farm Project. Generous donations from CW Adventures and its guests, and fundraising and guidance from the Alma Foundation have contributed to the success of this project. On behalf of the entire Patacancha community, we are extremely grateful. To learn more about or donate to the Patacancha Project, click here.


The CREST Mother’s Day Eco-‐Auction is in full swing via Charitybuzz, now until May 7. A humongous thank you to all our responsible travel company donors: Bardessono, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, Hotel El Ganzo, Greentique Hotels (Si Como No & Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel), True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, Belmont Estate, Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, Paradise Farms Organic, Puntacana Resort & Club, Red Lion Inn, Porches Inn, Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Hotel, The Crossing Resort, The Westin Georgetown, and Taste of Place Tours. CREST holds four auctions a year and these provide valuable funding for our day-‐to-‐day operations, research, and travelers’ philanthropy program. We use these occasions to feature not only the fantastic vacations offered, but also highlight our donors’ CSR policies, awards, any certification, carbon offset, and/or travelers’ philanthropy programs. This is a great opportunity for travel businesses to get the word out about what their company has to offer and create or maintain a connection with CREST. The next eco-‐auction will take place in September 2014. If your company would like to donate a trip, or if you know of a responsible travel company that would be a good fit, please contact CREST Program Associate, Samantha Hogenson.

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, Aruba | A "Dream Beach of the World"

CREST Mother's Day Eco-‐Auction


CREST wishes to extend warm congratulations to Arviat Community Ecotourism (ACE) from Nunavut, Canada, on winning the 2014 World Travel & Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Community Award. The Awards, which were held as part of WTTC’s 14th Global Summit in Hainan, China, showcase and celebrate sustainable tourism businesses and destinations around the world, which are successfully balancing their obligations to their people, the planet and their profits. ACE was represented at the Summit by Arviat Tourism Coordinator, Olivia Tagalik, and Mike Robbins, ACE Project Manager from The Tourism Company, who has been facilitating the planning, capacity building, program development and marketing in Arviat since 2009. Mr. Robbins also currently serves as the board chair for CREST.

When Arviat’s Inuit people received money under a land-‐claim agreement relating to Federal Conservation Areas, they invested it in the future; a future sustained by tourism and wholly owned by the community. Located on Nunavut’s Hudson Bay in Canada, the Inuit and their predecessors have lived, survived and thrived in the region for over four thousand years. The area is still steeped in tradition and it is this heritage and living culture that is at the core of the community’s tourism offer. Following extensive planning and capacity building, the community now

offers accommodation, cultural and archaeological tours, wildlife viewing tours featuring polar bears and caribou, and interactive Inuit cultural experiences. The aim now is to replicate this successful community-‐based program in other parts of Nunavut; which, in Inuit means, aptly, “Our Land”. CREST would also like to recognize another award winner with which we have a connection: Asilia Africa, Tanzania, which won the Tourism for Tomorrow Business Award. As it enters its tenth year of business, Asilia Africa boasts its “Big Five” core principles of: community, conservation, capacity, certification and commitment. With thirteen properties in Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique, it employs 600 people and operates in critical conservation areas where both wildlife and local economies are under threat. Asilia holds a “high” rating by the Global Impact Investing Ratings System and B Corporation. CREST worked with Asilia extensively surrounding our first Travelers’ Philanthropy conference in Tanzania, in 2004.

Sustainability Showcase: Arviat Community Ecotourism, Canada, wins WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Community Award


Other winners include: • Destination Award: Costa Navarino, Greece • Environment Award: Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sri Lanka • People Award: Lao National Institute of Tourism & Hospitality

(LANITH), Laos • Innovation Award: Ecosphere, India Costas Christ, Chairman of the Judges of the Awards, says: “Hundreds of unique applicants applied for the Awards this year. This year’s winners show that embracing sustainable tourism principles and practices is a full time responsibility to both current and future generations of this finite and fragile planet that we all share.” We, at CREST, are extremely proud and motivated by the impactful work being done by these organizations and hope their examples will be used as models for responsible tourism for many others.

CREST undertook several activities to help expand understanding of responsible tourism. CREST defines one of its five key program areas is “Sharing Expertise and Providing Leadership.” Keynoting Ecotourism Symposium in South Florida In late March, CREST Co-‐Director Martha Honey was invited to give the keynote address at the ecotourism conference held at Miami Dade College, the country’s largest university (over 160,000 students and 9 campuses!), catering to Miami’s diverse and largely immigrant populations. The conference, “Ecotourism and Sustainable Development in South Florida”, was organized by the College’s Earth Ethics Institute as part of their program designed to deepen understanding of sustainable development. In her address, Martha gave an overview of ecotourism globally and in the United States, including its origins, growth and current trends. The conference, attended by 150 faculty and students, also included a range of presentations about ecotourism opportunities in the area. These included talks on the Oleta River State Park’s EcoAdventures Program and Paradise Farms, an organic, vegetarian farm, restaurant, and B&B which provides food to leading Miami restaurants and hosts dinners prepared by famous chefs. Miami Mayor Tomas P. Regalado also

Sharing Expertise ~ Providing Leadership


addressed the Symposium and outlined initiatives to develop more protected areas and nature-‐based activities in and around Miami to diversify the region’s tourism offerings. The day before, Martha lectured to students at the Honors College. Using Costa Rica as a case study, Martha showed CREST’s newest film, “The Goose with the Golden Eggs”, and discussed the differences between high value and high volume tourism. Faculty and students praised the film as an invaluable teaching tool, and the Symposium organizer quickly reorganized the program to include another showing of the film to all attendees. The College has also developed a website for our ecotourism resources, including CREST’s publications and films. Chinese Delegation Tours United States to Study Sustainable Tourism

In April, CREST hosted 13 government officials from Hainan Province, China’s southern island, which is rapidly being developed as a major international tourism destination. The officials from the Hainan Province Tourism Development Committee came to the U.S. for a 19 day educational tour. They visited Washington, DC and South Florida to learn about best practices and experiences in sun-‐sand-‐and-‐sea tourism. Just after this visit, Hainan hosted the World

Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)’s annual summit and eco-‐awards celebration. (See write-‐up about the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.) At the start of their tour, Martha Honey was invited to give the Hainan delegation a five hour tutorial about the fundamentals of sustainable tourism. Her talk examined the definition and growth of ecotourism and sustainable tourism, consumer and industry demand, and certification programs for various sectors of the tourism industry, as well as the costs and benefits of different models of tourism. Martha’s power point presentation was translated into Chinese by two Chinese graduate students from George Washington University. Luyang Zhang and Rui You, who have been interning at CREST, also spoke with the delegates about their experiences studying sustainable tourism in the United States.

CREST also took the delegation on a guided walking tour of the historic Willard InterContinental, a large downtown hotel located next to the White House. The Williard’s management team has in recent years undertaken major eco-‐renovations to meet industry best practices and has also created a number of community initiatives to provide “time” and “treasure” to support local schools, parks, and other facilities.

Documents

CREST Newsletter- Issue 2, March:April 2014...1333H0St.,0NW0 0Suite03000East0Tower0 0Washington,0DC0200050 0P:0202C347C9203 0F:0202C775C08190 0 [email protected] 0 0 CREST!is!pleased!to!be!partnering!with!the!Caribbean!Tourism!Organization!(CTO)!and!the!