Sustainability

Sustainable Tourism

Visitors are becoming increasingly more knowledgeable about sustainability and searching for destinations that offer green hotels, restaurants and attractions.  Recent Research conducted by the PhoCusWright group has shown us that more than four out of 10 U.S. travelers consider environmental impact to be important to them when planning their travel.

The Tourism Sustainability Council was established by the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT.)  The Council is comprised of diverse and deeply committed people who are working on the issues of applying sustainable practices at Arizona’s many sensitive travel destinations, while preserving the environment and our state’s resources.  The Tourism Sustainability Council includes business, education, tourism, water and land conservation and public leaders, representing some of the best thinking in the area of sustainability.

The Arizona Office of Tourism has defined sustainable tourism as sustaining the culture, heritage and environment of a region while at the same time promoting economic growth and social wellbeing through tourism. In addition, AOT has partnered with National Geographic to highlight statewide destinations and organizations that preserve and celebrate Arizona's unique culture, designated as Arizona Origins locations. 

AOT has recently partnered with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association to launch the statewide “Certified Green Lodging” Program. 

For more information on the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association’s Certified Green Hotel Program, please click:
http://www.azhla.com

 

For more information on green travel, please visit the U.S. Travel Association
http://www.ustravel.org/research/travelgreen-org