Best Tourism Environmental Practice – Free Appraisal Draft Available

The Renewable Energy in Tourism Initiative (RETI) has recently developed a set of Best Practices in Renewable Energy for the tourism industry. They can be downloaded free at www.renewabletourism.org and public input is strongly encouraged.

The RETI best practice manuals were developed to feature industry leaders that have adopted best practices in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and to provide information and guidance to businesses of all sizes interested in realizing these benefits. Through the use of case studies, each manual outlines renewable energy adoption strategies and highlights that maximize energy efficiency, minimize environmental impacts, and result in cost savings or increased profitability across six tourism sectors: accommodations, airlines, cruise lines, public lands agencies, ski resorts, and tour operators.

Tourism has a powerful impact on, and is greatly impacted by, the ecological health of its destinations across the globe. One of tourism’s largest economic and environmental costs is the massive amount of energy required for the transportation of travellers and maintenance of facilities like hotels and attractions. Thus, many businesses are eager to minimize their consumption of non-renewable energy, but are often uncertain on how to make it happen due to the technological complexity and rapid rate of innovation in field of renewable energy.

According to the lead authors at Sustainable Travel International, the RETI best practice manuals, “are intended to serve as an inspiration and guide to businesses interested in realizing the benefits of adopting renewable energy initiatives and supporting a healthy planet.”

The RETI best practice manuals are the product of a collaborative effort between prominent industry members and the University of Colorado’s Energy Initiative (EI) and Leeds School of Business, the North Carolina Center for Sustainable Tourism (NCCST) at East Carolina University (ECU), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Sustainable Travel International (STI).

Before the manuals are finalized, the RETI partners would like to invite input from the greater sustainable tourism community. Please encourage your association members and industry colleagues to participate in this collaborative effort. Comments submitted to [email protected] by April 11, 2008 will be considered for inclusion in the final draft. To learn more or download the manuals, visit www.renewabletourism.org. If you have suggestions on other tourism organizations with noteworthy renewable energy practices to be included in future editions of these manuals, please contact Wendy Kerr ([email protected] or 303-492-2129).