Tourism, the world’s largest industry, 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 travelers 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.
The Renewable Energy in Tourism Initiative (RETI) has recently developed a set of Best Practices in Renewable Energy for the tourism industry to address this need. Sustainable Travel International was the lead author of the best practice manuals, which 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 best practice manuals can be downloaded for free and public input is strongly encouraged. Each manual was 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.
Before the manuals are finalized, the RETI partners - the University of Colorado’s Energy Initiative and Leeds School of Business, the North Carolina Center for Sustainable Tourism at East Carolina University, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory - would like to invite input from the greater sustainable tourism community. Please participate in this collaborative effort, encourage your colleagues to get involved, and begin by downloading the manuals from 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 (wendy.kerr@colorado.edu or 303-492-2129)
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