Welcome to the
Center for Sustainable Tourism
PLEASE EXCUSE OUR MESS,
AS OUR SITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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
Launch of the Center's new website!!!! This newly published website is more user and smartphone friendly. Browse our site and enjoy!!!
New Center Initiative: Tourism and Entrepreneurship
To support the efforts of the many small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures that are encompassed in rural tourism, the Center's Tourism and Entrepreneurship Program focuses on two streams of activity: assessing entrepreneurial ecosystems and interviewing food and tourism entrepreneurs throughout the state. CLICK HERE to view the initiative's page.
CST's Visitor Profile Study
The Center for Sustainable Tourism is launching a community based research project to assist rural North Carolina communities collect and analyze information about current and potential visitor markets. The project offers rural tourism organizations with a low cost option for gathering market intelligence and provides attractions, accommodations, and other local tourism stakeholders with information to make better tourism development and management decisions. CLICK HERE to view the Visitor Profile Study.
New Graduate Assistants Joining the Center!!!! We welcome Jana Caspersen and Daniel Johnson!
Check out this weeks NC Green Travel Tip and download the tips here!!!
(January 23, 2012) Saving Hot Water, Two for the Price of OneWhen implementing green practices, it is always helpful to implement practices that maximize financial savings. One of the best ways to do so is to identify green practices that save multiple resources at the same time. One example is replacing inefficient lighting, which not only wastes energy for lighting, but also causes waste heat that can require more HVAC to regulate. Another area where tourism businesses can save double is by reducing the amount of hot water used. When used inefficiently, there is waste of the water and the energy needed to heat the water. There are, however, a number of practical measures for commercial kitchens or commercial bathrooms that any hotel, restaurant or other facility can implement to save hot water. For more information on how you can double your savings by implementing green practices contact NC GreenTravel program manager Tom Rhodes, or Alex Naar with the Center for Sustainable Tourism at ECU at (252) 737-1346.
