Sustainable Tourism Practices in North Carolina

This initiative promotes awareness among individual travelers and public policy makers about the benefits and importance of adopting environmentally, socially, and economically responsible practices. It also provides advocacy for business operators who are embracing sustainable tourism practices across the region, state, and nation.

To this end, the Center is currently building a database of tourism-related organizations that have implemented sustainable practices in our state. The Center and its partners—ECU’s Office of Engagement, Innovation, and Economic Development; the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film, and Sports Development; and the North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance—have compiled comprehensive, sector-specific checklists of sustainable tourism practices. These checklists are built around the twelve categories in which tourism can incorporate sustainability into its business practices. The checklists may also serve as a springboard for tourism organizations interested in developing formal sustainability plans. You can view the checklists here. To support the adoption of such sustainable practices, the Center and its partners have developed a series of tip sheets. These one- to two-page documents provide information on the benefits, resources, and technical explanations of implementing sustainable tourism practices.

In addition, the Center and its partners also developed an online survey for tourism businesses and organizations. The aim of the survey is to catalog the adoption of sustainable practices in the tourism industry of North Carolina, from simply using energy efficient light bulbs to installing complex solar energy systems. North Carolina-based tourism organizations interested in completing the survey can do so by clicking here.

We thank each of our contributors for providing this information. Some of these contributors are featured below and on the next page. The Center encourages tourism-related organizations to share their sustainable efforts with the Center so that they may be added to the inventory.

More Sustainable Tourism Practices in NC

The Proximity Hotel is the nation’s first hotel to be certified at the Platinum Level by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

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The Weeping Radish Farm and Brewery provides an integrated approach to a complex issue: craft brewing, sustainable agriculture, and the survival of crafts. The concept of the Weeping Radish Farm and Brewery is the reduction of the food chain. They accomplish this by shortening the distance that food travels from the animal or plant to the consumer.

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It is the mission of the North Carolina Zoological Park to encourage understanding of and commitment to the conservation of the world’s wildlife and wild places through the recognition of the interdependence of people and nature. The Zoo does this by creating a sense of enjoyment, wonder, and discovery throughout the Park and in its outreach programs.

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Highland Lake Inn is devoted to protecting and preserving the environment. They are also passionate about sustainability and organic gardening. As a proud member of the Green Hotels Association, they adhere to the association’s guidelines, as well as their own, to institute programs that save water, save energy, and reduce solid waste.

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The Jackson County Green Energy Park (JCGEP) is a landfill recovery program located in the historic small town of Dillsboro, North Carolina. The JCGEP mission is to offer environmental protection, educational opportunities, and increased economic development to the community through the utilization of landfill gas and other clean, renewable energy resources.

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The Green Mountain Bed and Breakfast is conveniently located just 10 miles from downtown Asheville in beautiful Candler, North Carolina. This Bed and Breakfast is conscious of their clientele's health and the environment. Their rooms are decorated with non-toxic paint, hardwood furniture and floors, and they clean only with natural cleaning products. The Green Mountain Bed and Breakfast strives to create an Eco-friendly paradise to share with new friends. They practice "green" philosophies that protect the environment in many diverse ways.

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The King's Daughters Inn was renovated with sustainability in mind. Technology has been utilized to help reduce energy usage and water consumption; while natural elements, such as rain gardens, have been employed to help reduce rain water runoff and preserve local biodiversity.

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Chimney Rock Park has a long tradition of striving to protect the natural resources that have made the park a tourism destination for generations of travelers. The Park is currently working with the adjacent villages of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure to promote recycling throughout the region.

Great Wolf Lodge, in an effort to go beyond its Green Seal Certification, has created “Project Green Wolf,” a program to establish accountability and guidelines for greener waterparks and resort amenities. Areas that have been addressed by this program include fresh water management, waste reduction, environmentally sensitive purchasing, and guest education.

More Sustainable Tourism Practices in NC