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Sustainable tourism conference is April 19-20 in Minneapolis March 21, 2006 What is sustainable tourism? How can it benefit your business or community? How can you implement it? To address these and other questions, the University of Minnesota’s Tourism Center will host the first Minnesota Conference on Sustainable Tourism April 19-20 at the University’s McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street, Minneapolis. “The time is right,” says Cynthia Messer, educator with the University’s Extension Service and Tourism Center associate professor. “There is heightened awareness and interest in Minnesota around tourism that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable,” she says. “This conference allows us to share practical examples and case studies.” Sustainable tourism can be defined in many ways, but most experts and practitioners agree that, at its very core, it’s tourism that respects the three most important elements of every community: its natural and cultural surroundings, its residents and its local economy. According to Messer, the conference will aim to establish a common understanding of sustainable tourism, and to share best practices examples and practical suggestions on how to implement sustainable tourism. Ultimately, its goal is to connect tourism practitioners and community members with those knowledgeable in the field. “This is an opportunity for conference participants to interact with experts, tourism businesses successfully using sustainable practices, and the public sector,” Messer says. “They can make contacts, get information and build a network.” A sustainable tourism network of experts, practitioners, and other resources is already underway at a national level, and this conference will be the first time that sustainable tourism is addressed in Minnesota at a state level. “With experts, industry and government representatives together in a dialogue, we’ll discuss ways Minnesota can take future steps with sustainable tourism efforts,” Messer says. Speakers will include an international expert on sustainable tourism, Costas Christ, CEO of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce; Auden Schendler of Aspen Skiing Company; and John Imes, a small inn owner and director of the Wisconsin Environmental Initiative. Case study presentations include Forever Resorts, the first U.S. multi-location hospitality, marine and lodging company to achieve ISO14001 certification; a Brazilian government official sharing their work in developing national sustainable tourism practices; and Green Routes and local food options in Minnesota. Tourism practitioners, community decision makers, and elected officials in Minnesota, as well as students and others interested in sustainable tourism, are invited to attend the conference. The registration fee is $75. Advanced registration is encouraged, as space is limited. For more information, or to register online, visit www.tourism.umn.edu or call (612) 624-4947. # # # |
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Tourism Center
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Tourism Center · University
of Minnesota Extension · College of Food, Agricultural and Natural
Resource Sciences · University
of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus |
