June Updates from GreenStep Sustainable Tourism
WELCOMING NEW SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MEMBERS
Gibsons Visitor Centre – Gibsons, BC
Sechelt Visitor Centre – Sechelt, BC
NEW SUSTAINABLE TOURISM 2030 PLEDGE SIGNATORIES
The Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge is a global movement of individuals, businesses, and organizations within the tourism and hospitality industry that believe tourism has a tremendous opportunity to become a force for good and change the world.
Take the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge here.
WELCOMING JEN WALRAVEN TO THE GREENSTEP TEAM
Jen Walraven – Executive Assistant
Jen combines a diverse business ownership and health care background with her innate and well nurtured love of nature to provide executive support to the GreenStep community. With 20 years of professional experience as a practicing chiropractor specializing in pregnancy and pediatrics, Jen decided to continue learning more about sustainability to help future generations in another important way. Her strengths include planning, organizational development, project management and environmental stewardship, and she strives to set a good example wherever she goes.
Pandemic restrictions are almost gone, summer has returned to the northern hemisphere, and tourism businesses are bracing for, yet looking forward to, the beginning of the long recovery. But there’s a catch.
As we look to get back to “normal”, the Canadian government has released its 2030 Emission Reduction Plan plan to reduce Canada’s emissions by 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. With fossil fuels still playing a significant role in the tourism sector, how can we recover, while also meeting these new targets to tackle climate change? Read full article here.
Located in the MNIDOO GAAMI Georgian Bay Biosphere, a UNESCO designated site, Oak Bay Luxury getaway offers travellers accommodations where sustainability practices are found and encouraged. Oak Bay Luxury Getaway recently became Sustainable Tourism GOLD Certified – read the full member spotlight to learn more as owner Jennifer Schnier shares some insight about their sustainability journey.
The British Columbia Hotel Association is shining a light on sustainability in the latest summer issue of InnFocus Magazine, with a spotlight on a collaborative pilot project with Sandman Hotel Group. GreenStep has been working together with Rethink2gether and BCHA to identify energy, water, and waste conservation opportunities for the Sandman Hotel & Suites Kelowna property, offering project recommendations designed to help drive down their carbon footprint.
One outcome of this pilot project demonstrated the potential cost savings of integrating sustainability practices into the hotel and restaurant operations, presenting a tremendous opportunity for the sector to recover after the impacts of the pandemic. Read full article.
Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Trainer and CEO of GreenStep, Angela Nagy, recently delivered a three day training to staff at 4VI (formerly Tourism Vancouver Island).
“As 4VI makes the transition to ensure that travel becomes a force for good on Vancouver Island, the participants shared that the training was very valuable and brought up several areas of action that they hadn’t previously considered.” Read full article here.
2022 CANADIAN TOURISM AWARDS OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS
The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) to recognize success, leadership, and innovation in Canada’s tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations, and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.
There will be awards presented in 9 categories, including the Sustainable Tourism Award:
The Sustainable Tourism Award will be presented to an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the practice and promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism in Canada.
The judging criteria in this category are:
- Protects and preserves natural and cultural heritage resources (20%)
- Fosters appreciation and enjoyment of natural and cultural heritage resources (15%)
- Raises awareness among visitors and influences them to enjoy resources sustainably (20%)
- Mitigates negative impacts of tourism on the natural and cultural environment (15%)
- Respects, involves, and engages other stakeholders and host communities (15%)
- Fosters a culture that embraces equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (15%)
To nominate and learn more, visit the TIAC website.
UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
CONFERENCES
Meaningful Travel Summit
Hosted by: Tourism Cares
Date: September 28 – 30, 2022
Location: Victoria, BC
Details: The Meaningful Travel Summit is an event connecting industry professionals with local changemakers in places around North America. By coming together in-destination, we action and actualize the power of travel. Our goal is to learn from one another, infuse more sustainability into our businesses with the knowledge we’ve gained and roll up our sleeves to volunteer in and with the local community.
