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.
Join us on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 for the nextFREEwebinar in the Renewable Energy in Tourism Series: Cheers, a Toast to Renewable Energy Use in Breweries and Wineries
Last month, Hilton Worldwide announced that through LightStay, its sustainability management platform, all of the company's 3,750 plus hotel would have an automated process to give donations to charities. Hilton Worldwide also announced its partnership with the Global Soap Project. These two efforts by Hilton Worldwide are only two small examples of the many ways that the tourism industry actively participates in charitable giving. Almost every national brand and industry leader has a corporate social responsibility program in place, be it the Biltmore Company, Marriott, Vail Resorts,or the Walt Disney Company. A new twist on giving is the number of tourism-related organizations that are providing volunteer and giving opportunities to their guests and clients. Organizations like Visit Raleigh work to connect visitors to volunteer opportunities in the community. For more information on volunteer tourism, visit the Travelers' Philanthropy. 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.
