The Center is dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism throughout our region, North Carolina, and the nation through innovation in graduate education, leadership development, community consultation, and collaborative research. Devoted to implementing sustainable practices in business operations, public policies, and personal travel behaviors, the Center offers solutions to challenges facing the tourism industry and destination communities as they balance economic viability with socio-cultural and environmental enhancement and equity.
Since the launch of the NC GreenTravel Recognition Program, a non-regulatory and voluntary program managed by the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Tourism, seven properties have submitted their application and have been recognized by the program. Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands was the first property to be recognized by the program. Some of the sustainable practices adopted by Old Edwards Inn include energy efficiency, participation in the Global Soap Project, and energy assessment with the Waste Reduction Partners. There is no cost to participate in the NC GreenTravel Recognition Program and it is open to all hotels, B&B's, vacation rental properties, restaurants, parks, ski resorts, and museums in North Carolina. Applications are currently being created for convention centers, airports, festivals, golf resorts, and many others. For more information on the NC GreenTravel Initiative website or recognition program contact Tom Rhodes at the N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach. For more information on sustainable tourism, contact Alex Naar at (252) 737-1346.
Staff Archaeologist, Program in Maritime Studies, Department of History. Calvin Mires's research interests lie in various areas: maritime archaeology, public outreach, and cultural resource management. He is interested in understanding better how the public perceives and values cultural resources and what role different media of public outreach can play in these perceptions.
