Sustainable Business Summit Boone, North Carolina Balancing Profitability and Social and Environmental Responsibility

Sustainable Business Summit Boone, North Carolina Balancing Profitability and Social and Environmental Responsibility www.sustainabletourism.org

Why pursue sustainability in tourism? Growing recognition of the negative footprint of tourism; Decrease costs/improve profits; Create greater green brand recognition; Enhance business and destination reputation;

Why pursue sustainability in tourism? Increase market share by responding to consumer demand; Increase employee loyalty and cost savings on training; Enhance relationships/meet regulations with governmental entities; Contribute to the well-being of the community in which we live.

Environmental Summit Award Saunders Hotel Group Anne Chang Beth Haber Jeremi Korpusik Duane Webber April 27, 2005

Environmental Summit Award: Saunders Hotel Group 5 Company Overview

Environmental Summit Award: Saunders Hotel Group 6 Corporate Leadership Initiative Corporate Leadership Initiative Four Areas of Focus Four Areas of Focus Energy Conservation Energy Conservation Water Conservation Water Conservation Solid Waste Minimization Solid Waste Minimization Harmful Materials Reduction Harmful Materials Reduction Innovative and Future Initiatives Innovative and Future Initiatives Industry & Community Impact Industry & Community Impact Program Description

Environmental Summit Award: Saunders Hotel Group 7 Financial Implications N/A $105,123 $91,300 $19,969 $216,392

Economic Implications Replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs can result in an astounding 75 per cent savings in energy usage. Switching to an energy efficient LED Exit Sign can save almost $50 the first year, a saving of $581 over ten years compared to traditional exit signs. High-Efficiency toilets can result in an annual savings of $540 a year and have a payback period of less than one year.

ROI of Energy Efficiency Short-term municipal bonds S&P high tech composite Long-term municipal bonds S&P 500 composite NYSE composite Latin America stock composite 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Historical Average Return (%) for Common Investments Comprehensive energy retrofits Source: Tim Gasper, Brady Trane Service, Inc

Responding to consumer demand

Edward Abbey... Tourism is always and everywhere a dubious, fraudulent, distasteful, and in the long run, degrading business, enriching a few, doing the rest more harm than good.

Good tourism F Beneficial to local residents F Results in local purchases and profits F Results in preservation of natural environment F Preserves traditional values and lifestyles F Results in local employment & management Baffin Region, NW Canada, Regional Tourism Planning Project

Good tourism F Provides secondary infrastructure benefits F Attracts informed and understanding visitors F Results in local control and ownership F Does not overwhelm the community F Results in external investments being directed towards these goals Baffin Region, NW Canada, Regional Tourism Planning Project

I think tourism is like seasoning on food. Some can make an improvement, a little more can make it perfect. A lot ruins it and makes a good thing disgusting. Independent note on a questionnaire

My comments today! What is it we are concerned about? Who in the tourism industry and beyond, cares? Resources and information that may be helpful.

This is a section of shoreline at Cape Hatteras in North Carolina pictured in 1999 and 2004.

Alaska polar bear drownings. Numbers in Hudson Bay have declined 22%. Vulnerable to extinction. Photo: www.environmentaldefense.org Tourism and the Environment Polar Bears in Peril: Endangered Species List

My comments today! Who in the tourism industry and beyond, cares?

Who is Interested in It? Travel Agents

Who is Interested in It? Travel Agents Travel Professionals

Who is Interested in It? Travel Agents Travel Professionals Accommodations and Attractions

GREEN: Is it Heading In New Directions? 86% of convention centers have implemented sustainable practices. They are not alone: o 2006-2007 survey of tourism organizations found 75.4% were involved in CSR activities o NRA recently found that 65% of restaurants have a recycling program in place o According to AH&LA, 86% of hotels use energy efficiency lighting

Who is Interested in It? Travel Agents Travel Professionals Accommodations and Attractions Travelers

Growing interest in Green 87% of U.S. consumers are seriously concerned about the environment (GfK Roper) 30% of consumers make an effort to avoid buying products from corporations they dont feel are environmentally responsible and 22% boycott those that are harming natural resources (GfK Roper) 73% of consumers consider it important or very important that companies have a good environmental track record (BCG January 2009) Despite current economy, 67% of US consumers that claimed to buy green products reported buying the same amount, 25% reported buying more, and only 8% are buying less (Harris Interactive March 2009)

Travelers Making Green Choices 70% of attraction visitors are more likely to visit, and visit more frequently attractions that pursue green practices (PGAV Consulting) 47% of travelers will take eco-friendly factors in to consideration when making travel plans in 2011 (TripAdvisor) 45% of guests surveyed would be willing to pay a higher room rate for sustainability initiatives in hotels (Cornell University)

Green Practices Travelers Look for at Destinations PGAV Destination Consulting

Traveler Likelihood of Visiting Green Attractions 70% of attractions visitors are more likely to visit a Green Attraction Source: PGAV Destination Consulting

For 75% of respondents, their perception of Biltmore is improved knowing we make becoming environmentally friendly a priority Womens perceptions are more likely to be influenced

Where is Sustainable Tourism Happening? Its Happening Everywhere

Outer Banks Brewing Station Photo courtesy Outer Banks Brewery Not only is it the countrys first Brewery powered by a wind turbine, its also the first and only restaurant. O.B.B. Supplements power--saves between $150 and $250 per month on electric bill; Use 100% of the power the turbine generates. 11 year payback offsetting 250 tons of GHG over its operating life.

Uses renewable energy and supports local nonprofits Music on the Mountaintop, Boone, NC

Examples of Sustainable Tourism In North Carolina Proximity Hotel (LEEDS certified, Platinum Level)

Highland Lake Inn, Flat Rock, NC (Farm to table program & solar hot water) Examples of Sustainable Tourism In North Carolina

Mez Restaurant, Durham (LEED certified, Silver Level) Examples of Sustainable Tourism In North Carolina

The Pinehurst No. 8 Centennial Golf Course Audubon International Bird Salutary Examples of Sustainable Tourism In North Carolina

Sustainable Tourism Business Actions

State Level Sustainable Tourism

Governmental regulation Here in North Carolina: ABC recycling, Plastic bottle landfill ban, Smoking Ban, plastic bag ban What is next? FL Section 286.29, The Energy, Climate Change, And Economic Security Act Of 2008 Will the travel and tourism industry be seen as part of the problem or part of the solution? We expect the pace of regulation to increase in the future. We believe the industry needs to be more proactive in helping to shape these regulation, not to minimize their impact, but to help educate regulators and ensure that sensible, balanced action are taken. Deloitte: Hospitality 2015

My comments today! Resources and information that may be helpful.

Center for Sustainable Tourism Resources How To Documents and Green Tip Sheets Industry Sector Manuals and Checklists White Papers and Reports on Special Topics Carbon Calculator Contact Lists Webinars Speaker and Lecture Series Events Community and Industry Consultations

Tip Sheet Topics 1.Water Efficiency for Commercial Bathrooms 2.Water Conservation Ideas of Restaurants 3.Seasonal Eating 4.Local vs. Organic 5.Edible Landscaping 6.Oyster Recycling 7.Recycling at Venues and Events 8.Recycling at Sports Venues 9.10 Sustainable Practices You Can Implement Today 10.Choosing a Sustainable Event Venue 11.Connecting with the Local Community 12.Green Booths 13.LED Exit Signs 14.Reducing Paper Waste at Conferences 15.Waste Reduction for Bed & Breakfasts

Sustainable Action Tips-#4 (of 120) MAKING A GAME PLAN The first step to developing a successful environmental program is to examine your organizations mission statement and decide what environmental goals will best further your organizations mission. Some organizations also develop corporate responsibility statements as well. Once broad goals of sustainability have been developed, it can be helpful to conduct an environmental audit or assessment to evaluate current practices. After setting broad goals and conducting an assessment, set more specific and tangible goals that can be evaluated and benchmarked.

MS-ST Partners Departments Supply Chain Management Hospitality Management Recreation & Leisure Studies Geography/Planning Economics Biology Political Science Atmospheric Sciences Biology Event Planning Human Ecology Arts & Sciences Health& Human Performance Business An Interdisciplinary Program Colleges Fine Arts & Communication

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CORE COURSE OFFERINGS Principles of Tourism and Sustainability. Survey of concepts and theories of tourism and sustainable tourism; exposure to current literature; learn sustainable tourism practices across settings - local to global. Environmental Systems and Sustainability. Theory and survey of interrelationships between environmental systems; environmental change and tourism; and research methods for assessing and implementing environmental practices for sustainable tourism. Development and Management of Sustainable Tourism Research, evaluate, and apply social and environmentally responsible business practices in tourism. Planning and Policy of Sustainable Tourism Focus on public policy issues and planning strategies critical to sustainable tourism. Research Courses, Study Abroad, Independent Study, Thesis.

10 Steps You Might Take 1.Make a (in)formal commitment to sustainability; 2.Take advantage of existing programs in your community; 3.Establish a green team; 4.Go Local and Make Partnerships ; 5.Empower your staff, volunteers and patrons;

10 Steps You Might Take 6.Take small stepsembrace do-able actions; 7.Craft a strategy to monitor, record and promote progress and success; 8.Energy Efficient Lighting a sure bet; 9.Utilize state agency resources (green recognition programs); 10.Establish relationships and partnerships that result in an enhanced product.

www.sustainabletourism.org Serving the Region, State and Nation. www.visitorcarecode.org www.mastersofsustainabletourism.org