Green Your Business: Toolkit for Tourism Operators Randy Williams President and CEO Tourism Industry Association of Canada Presentation to The International Ecotourism Society Conference Vancouver, British Columbia October 27, 2008
The Greatest Challenge to face Humanity in the 21st Century ž TIAC recognizes that the threat posed by Climate Change is perhaps the greatest challenge to face humanity in the 21st Century ž Canada’s tourism industry needs to embrace sustainable tourism practices in order to preserve the unique wilderness, habitat, species and ecosystems that make up our country and that have become so intrinsic to Canada as a destination
TIAC has Lead the Tourism Industry in Addressing Environmental Issues ¾ Over the past two decades, TIAC has demonstrated continued leadership and vision in addressing environmental concerns: ¾ Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism (1993, updated 2005) ¾ Parks Canada / TIAC Accord (2001) ¾ Canadian definitions of Sustainable Tourism (2001) and Ecotourism (2004) ¾ Sustainable Tourism entrenched in TIAC’s ENDS (2003) ¾ Introduced an award for sustainable tourism businesses and scholarships for sustainable tourism students (2003) ¾ Identified Sustainable Tourism in Report on Canada’s Tourism Competitiveness (2008)
TIAC Continues to Lead the Industry in Addressing Environmental Issues 他 Memorandum of understanding with The ICARUS Foundation 他 Summit on Sustainability; Workshops for Greening Business (Toronto, April 20-23, 2009) 他 Green Your Business: Toolkit for Tourism Operators - Collaborative Project with CTC and Parks Canada)
Green Your Business: Toolkit for Tourism Operators ¾ The toolkit will provide practical tips and guidance for tourism operators in addressing environmental issues ¾ A “best practices” handbook, stocked with practical, user-friendly tips ¾ Special focus on small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) ¾ Voluntary - undertake as many or as few of the suggestions as time and resources allow
Tourism’s Evolving Marketplace is Creating Unprecedented Opportunity ¾ Operators can show stewardship and leadership by embracing a new greener set of principles and the swelling numbers of customers who now follow them ¾ Reduce operating costs significantly by implementing sustainable practices, while attracting a new segment of discerning travellers seeking authentically sustainable experiences and services
A Canadian Definition of Sustainable Tourism ž “Sustainable tourism actively fosters appreciation and stewardship of the natural, cultural and historic resources and special places by local residents, the tourism industry, governments and visitors. It is tourism which can be sustained over the long term because it results in a net benefit for the social, economic, natural and cultural environments of the area in which it takes place�
Canada’s Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism ¾ Collaborative project jointly authored by TIAC, Canadian Tourism Commission and Parks Canada and released in 2005 ¾ Showed real foresight in offering a statement of guiding, high-level principles but didn’t offer business-level advice for operators. ¾ The Toolkit seeks to bridge this gap
Focus of the Green Your Business: Toolkit for Tourism Operators
¾ Toolkit focuses on environmental business practices as they represent the “low hanging fruit” for SME’s ¾ While suggestions are tangible and easy to implement, the Toolkit should be viewed only as one step in an integrated corporate commitment to sustainability
A Canadian Perspective 他 Canada has diverse topography and climate, as well as complex cultural and ecological sensitivities 他 These realities have profound implications for how travellers get here, how they move around, and how much energy is required to provide for the comfort of our guests
A Canadian Perspective: Transportation Sector ¾ Toolkit recognizes that transportation sector will remain the industry’s largest source of emissions ¾ Nevertheless, it offers tips for reducing reliance on private vehicles for guest transportation and commuting ¾ Looking forward, intermodal transportation can also reduce energy consumption
A Canadian Perspective: Accommodations Sector 他 Unique challenges, but exceptional opportunities 他 Energy efficiency retrofit can cut expenses, trigger incentives from utility companies and provincial authorities 他 In new construction, green buildings are practical and affordable 他 Can decrease energy costs, improve worker health, and provide strong positive market differentiation
Making the Business Case for Green 他 SMEs must base investment decisions on the potential return 他 The days of seemingly limitless and inexpensive energy are over 他 Business-as-usual consumption is no longer financially justifiable or sustainable
Making the Business Case for Green ¾ Sustainably minded consumers are making decisions based on the business’ commitment to sustainable practices ¾ A new market niche of ethically minded, discerning “green travelers” is emerging
Who Should Use the Toolkit? 他 Designed for multiple tourism sector audiences 他 Owners and Managers 他 Individual Employees / Staff Champions 他 Tourism Associations and Destination Marketing Bodies
Thank You For Your Commitment to the Project:
他Canadian Tourism Commission 他Parks Canada 他Author/Consultant: Ruth Marr, Winnipeg, Manitoba