Welcome to the
Center for Sustainable Tourism
Message from the Director, Dr. Patrick Long
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Welcome to the Center for Sustainable Tourism. The Center advances research and outreach aimed at affecting changes in tourism business practices, public policies, and individual traveler behaviors that lessen any negative impacts of travel while enhancing travel's positive outcomes for both travelers and their host communities. The Center was
originally established in 1998, and relocated to East Carolina
University in the fall of 2007. The Master of Science in Sustainable
Tourism degree program began its course offerings in the fall of 2009. Our philosophy is that all participants in the tourism experience can, together, protect the environmental health and socio-cultural distinctiveness of tourism destinations while contributing to economic vitality. At the Center, we work across disciplines, often supporting inter-disciplinary teams for teaching, research, and outreach. Our collaborative approach capitalizes on the intellectual wealth and institutional capacity that East Carolina University can bring to the study and practice of sustainability in tourism. We are proud that our MS in Sustainable Tourism-the first such degree program in the nation- is multi- and inter-disciplinary, and that the degree is conferred by our Graduate School. We welcome you to join us in ensuring that travel remains an integral part of everyone's life and that the special places travelers hold dear are enjoyed with dignity and respect.
News and Upcoming Events
Visitor Profile Study in the news: click here
Graduate students present at the NERR Symposium April 7-9, 2013
MS-ST Graduate Students Emily Ayscue and Chris Johnson will be presenting their research at the NERR Symposium this April. Emily will be presenting on the mapping detail that must be considered when translating climate and weather information to tourism business operators. Chris Johnson will be presenting on public-private partnerships through concession agreements in national parks and how they can best contribute to conservation. The presentation is a result of research done with Dr. Paige Schneider of ECU and Christina Heyniger of Vital Waves Consulting.
Guest Speaker Presentation: Dr. Michael Giebelhausen to present on April 9, 2013
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Check out the latest NC Green Travel Tip and download the complete list of tips here!!!
(April 3, 2013) Energy Management Reduces Costs
One of the easiest ways to reduce operating costs is by effectively managing energy usage. Because energy is difficult to see or feel, it can be easy to waste with inefficient HVACs, lights left on, and countless other ways, without even noticing until the energy bill comes in. However, according to the EPA, reducing energy consumption by as little as 10% can have the same impact as increasing RevPAR by $0.60 for limited service hotels and by more than $2.00 for full-service hotels. And using energy wisely can also improve guest and visitor experiences by helping to improve lighting and better control indoor air temperature. There are a number of strategies that can be implemented to better manage energy, from no cost programs, such as the EPA Energy Star program, to high-tech systems, such as the system used at the King's Daughters Inn. To learn more about developing an energy management plan at your facility, contact the Waste Reduction Partners . For more information about energy and the tourism industry, visit the Renewable Energy in Tourism Initiative website. For more information on NC GreenTravel, contact program manager Tom Rhodes, or Alex Naar with the Center for Sustainable Tourism at ECU at (252) 737-1346.
