Example Of Tourism Energy Specialist Critical Thinking

In an article that was recently posted on the website Skift, Vancouver has added a new position to their tourism destination organization, Tourism Vancouver. The position is a Tourism Energy Specialist; the position was filled by Gwendal Castellan. One of his major responsibilities is to act as an ambassador or liaison between the tourism board and Vancouver’s initiative, Greenest City 2020. Greenest City 2020, is a coalition of 1,000 members in the tourism industry: major convention hotels; restaurants; individual tour operators.
The implications of this position for Vancouver are that they are marketing themselves as a city that is committed to saving energy and becoming greener. This will attract many visitors who are becoming very sensitive to the environmental behavior of the businesses they frequent.
For the businesses that are participating in the endeavor they will save considerable amounts of money and increase their profit by reducing their energy usage and search out alternatives. Having a key position on the city’s tourism board whose responsibility is not only to market but educate local businesses on ways to become greener.
“Within urban areas, a number of hotel chains have made progressive steps. Hotels which have implemented an environmental policy generally save on average 20% energy costs and at least 15% on water costs so any measure of efficiency benefits the bottom line.” (Blue and Green Tomorrow) The Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver is already taking steps to go green. They offer charging stations for electric cars. They also have their own her garden on the roof. The Westin Grand boasts on its website that it is the recipient of Green Key Eco-Rating Program sponsored by the Hotel Association of Canada.
More and more tourists, recreational, business and convention, are searching out destinations that are leaders in the environment and sustainability. Vancouver, which already has an excellent reputation for its well laid out downtown, beautiful parks and nature and excellent tourism board. This link between the tourism board and local businesses to save energy and become greener is a winning situation for all the parties involved. Maintaining Vancouver’s beauty through saving energy and becoming more sustainable will make it a popular destination for many years to come unlike destinations who are not investing in long term growth through sustainability and green practices.

References

Oates, Greg (2015 Jan 9). Vancouver tries to change the tourism bureau model by thinking
Green and local. Skift. Retrieved from:
http://skift.com/2015/01/09/vancouver-tries-to-change-the-tourism-bureau-model-by-
thinking-green-and-local/
Urban sustainable tourism: being responsible in the city (10 Feb 2014). Blue and Green
Tomorrow Retrieved from:
http://blueandgreentomorrow.com/features/urban-sustainable-tourism-being-responsible-in-
the-city/