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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: [email protected]
Telephone: (252)737-1346www.sustainabletourism.org
Serving the Region, State and Nation.