Contacts: Julie Christensen, U of M Extension, (612) 626-4077, reuve007@umn.edu
Cynthia Messer, U of M Tourism Center, (612) 624-6236, cmesser@umn.edu
Ryan Mathre, University News Service, (612) 625-0552

U of M hosts sustainable tourism conference in Duluth

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL ( 3/27/2008 ) -- The University of Minnesota will host “Stepping Up to Sustainability,” the third Conference on Sustainable Tourism, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 15 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth.

Sustainable tourism attempts to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income, employment and the conservation of local ecosystems.

Hosted by the University of Minnesota Tourism Center, the conference is intended for tourism business owners and community leaders, as well as students and other members of the public who are interested in research-based sustainable tourism practices. Attendees will learn hands-on, practical tools and implementation of these practices, such as conducting an energy audit, creating a “green roof,” “greening” your community event and others.

“It’s an exciting challenge, but we’ve already seen benefits to our bottom line,” Nikki Anderson, manager of the Inn on Lake Superior, said of sustainable tourism practices. “From ordering recycled products and purchasing locally whenever possible to having staff use Nalgene water bottles instead of disposable cups, our customers are paying attention and holding us accountable.”

Like most destinations, Minnesota relies on its natural and human resources for tourism, which generates more than $10 billion in sales and employs more than 240,000 people in the state.

Research also shows that travelers recognize and desire sustainable tourism practices.  According to the Travel Industry Association of America, one-third of American travelers say they are influenced by a company’s actions to preserve the environment, history and culture of destinations. 

The conference kicks off with keynote speaker Joel Makower, a specialist in green business practices and co-founder of Greener World Media, Inc., which produces GreenBiz.com, ClimateBiz.com and GreenerComputing.com.

Registration is $95 per person, and $35 for University of Minnesota students. For more information and to register, visit www.tourism.umn.edu.

A source of tourism research and education in the state and beyond, the Tourism Center is a collaboration of University of Minnesota Extension and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS).