Title: Sustainable Tourism: Why it Makes Both Dollars
1Sustainable Tourism Why it Makes Both Dollars
Sense!
- Susan Whitaker, Commissioner
- Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
2What is Sustainable Tourism?
- Sustaining the environment,culture and heritage
of a region while at the same time sustaining
the economic growth through tourism.
Bison at Land Between the Lakes
3Why should we care?
- Economic
- Townies
- Tourists
- Business Recruitment
- Its all inter-related!
"Volkswagen and Chattanooga, the ideal marriage
One of the world's most admired companies and one
of America's most livable cities.
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander
4Why Should We Care?
- Pragmatic
- Tourism is a 14.2 billion economic engine
for Tennessees economy. - Jobs Ranks 1 in nonfarm employment .
- Taxes 1.1 billion in state local taxes.
Tennessee Valley Railroad MuseumLookout Mountain
5Why should we care?
- Marketing
- As a destination
- - Quality of Life
- - Brand enhancement
Leipers Fork
6Economic Boost to Your Local Community
- Attract affluent heritage/eco-conscious traveler
to your destination. - 55 million Americans are now classified as
sustainable or "Geotourists," as well as the
nearly 100 million traveling Americans moving in
that direction. - 58 of U.S. adult travelers included an historic
activity or event on a trip during the past year. - Historic/cultural travelers spend more average
per trip spending 630 and stay longer -average
5.0 nights. - 89 of people who traveled to Tennessee think it
is somewhat to very important for a travel
provider to be environmentally sensitive compared
to 86 in 2007. Source
Travel Industry Association Travels America
(TNS)
7Sustaining the Environment
- Volkswagen claims environmental responsibility
as a core value of the company and cited
Chattanooga's strong environmental commitment
as a factor in winning the plant. - Governor Phil Bredesen
- Source International Herald Tribune
- Does anyone still wonder if going green
matters? - Bob Doak, President CEO
Chattanooga CVB - Source Chattanooga Times Free Press
8Sustaining OurHeritage
- Tennessee Civil War Trails Program
- - Federal Enhancement Grant administered by
TDOT - November 2006 - 537,240
- August 2008 - 543,480
- - Incredible turn-key opportunity for
communities
9Sustaining OurHeritage
- Civil War Trails Program - Recognized by
the National Trust for Historic
Preservation as one of the most
sustainable heritage tourism programs in
the nation.
10Tennessees Civil War Heritage
Shiloh National Military Park
Battle of Blue Springs Greeneville
Stones River National Military Park
11- Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
- Susan Whitaker, Commissioner
- Susan.whitaker_at_state.tn.us
- www.tnvacation.com/sustainable