Geotourism, eco-tourism, green travel, green tourism or sustainable hospitality – although there are nuanced differences among the terms used, environmental sustainability is a topic that’s top of mind in today’s travel industry. And given the industry’s size, it’s a subject that
demonstrates potential for far-reaching impacts. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that tourist arrivals worldwide in 2008 totaled 922 million, generating $944 billion in total international tourism receipts. In Arlington, visitors spend over $1 billion annually, with the transient occupancy tax (TOT) in Fiscal Year 2009 providing over $22 million to the County’s General Fund.
As Arlington County’s official Destination Marketing Organization, ACVS has undertaken its own Green Urban Tourism vision which is designed to support and leverage sustainability-related initiatives of the Arlington County Government, Virginia government and local hospitality-related businesses to meet current visitor usage needs and ensure the use of tourism resources by future generations.
In the short term, ACVS’s goal is to solidify the recognition of Arlington as a leading green tourism destination among travelers and hospitality community members. This will mainly be achieved by researching and documenting accomplishments in Arlington – government, private sector and nonprofit – aimed at improving environmental sustainability within the local tourism industry.
In the long term, Arlington would like to establish itself as a national leader in Green Urban Tourism, recognized for exceptional public-private cooperation in achieving environmental sustainability in at least three key areas: buildings, attractions, events and infrastructure. Community-wide achievements would be documented and promoted to national tourism, urban planning and environmental media to increase recognition of Arlington as a leader in these three fields.
In support of the ACVS Green Urban Tourism vision, short-term goals and long-term goals, the following supporting tactics will be utilized on an ongoing basis:
- Function as a facilitator/convener for best practices and knowledge transfers;
- Use the County as a test bed/pilot for green tourism practices;
- Provide information on transportation options;
- Serve as focal point for local and state policy making;
- Promote local education and workforce development for hospitality workers;
- Continue traditional tourism development efforts; and
- Support technology applications of social media.
Sustainable practices – those which use resources in an environmentally responsible, socially fair and economically viable manner that ensures their use by future generations – are essential to the long-term health of the travel industry. The immense size of the industry, in terms of both worldwide economic impact and its share of global greenhouse gas emissions, drives the need for aggressive, ongoing progress toward environmental sustainability at international, national and local levels.
While a number of standards and best practices are emerging within the travel industry and its various segments including lodging, transportation and attractions, these are supplemented by a wide array of corporate and community-driven efforts. Arlington is a local jurisdiction with policies and incentives that encourage sustainable practices by both businesses and residents. With carefully defined supporting tactics, Arlington and urban communities like it can apply the principles of Green Urban Tourism in ensuring a hospitality industry that is ecologically friendly, economically healthy and compelling to potential visitors.
In the coming weeks, ACVS will publish its conceptual plan for Arlington's Green Urban Tourism program. Visit the ACVS Web site or the AED Web site for more information.
