Contact: Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extension (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu

Website will grow green tourism in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (1/20/2009)—A new Travel Green Minnesota website has launched to provide information and best practices for Minnesota's tourism and hospitality industry. Travel is a $10 billion dollar industry in Minnesota and, just as every other industry considers green options, tourism is no different.

The website at www.travelgreen.umn.edu provides tools and resources to help tourism businesses and communities implement green practices that are good for the environment and business. Hosted by the University of Minnesota Tourism Center, the site was developed in partnership with Explore Minnesota Tourism, the Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and tourism industry associations. The website is the outgrowth of recommendations from a legislatively mandated 'travel green' program assessment published in 2008 (State legislation S.F. 1131, 2008).

Consumer research shows a growing interest in travel and tourism that minimizes negative environmental impacts. According to David Siegel, Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Restaurant, Lodging and Resort & Campground Associations, "There is a growing push for hospitality businesses to 'go green.' But businesses need information on how to do it. This website is a great resource. It provides quick access to information and resources, and will be a valuable tool for Minnesota's hospitality businesses."

The emphasis of Minnesota's Travel Green approach is to protect the environment, promote tourism business practices that reduce environmental impact, educate travelers, and promote Minnesota tourism.

The website addresses the recommendation to educate travel businesses about being green by providing resources, information and best practices.

"This website is a key resource to help Minnesota tourism businesses and communities identify and embrace green practices. Green practices benefit Minnesota's environment and our businesses while addressing the growing consumer interest in green travel," says John Edman, Director of Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Visit www.travelgreen.umn.edu for more information.

The Tourism Center (www.tourism.umn.edu) is a collaboration of University of Minnesota Extension and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. The Center prepares and supports the tourism industry for success and sustainability through education, research and engagement.

Source: Cynthia Messer, University of Minnesota Tourism Center, (612) 624-6236

URL: http:// www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2009/green-tourism-website.html  This page was updated Sept. 22, 2009 .
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