Join us ~ by livestream, train, carpool..tOES AGM Dec. 4th

You're invited ~ tOES AGM on Dec. 4, 2010

All members and potential members interested in building a sustainable tourism industry in Ontario are invited to take part in the tOES AGM and the priorities we set there for our projects in the year ahead.

You can join us at our South River Blue Canoe location (accomodations available through member Northern Edge Algonquin) by public transportation or from the comfort of your own home or business. We will be livecasting from 11 am - 12 noon. You will be able to watch, listen and add comments to the meeting in real time from your computer.

Meeting Agenda
1. Welcome and Annual Summary of Work
2. Treasurer's Report
3. Recognition of Directors
4. Election of New Directors
5. Facilitated Discussion of 2011 work priorities ~ the Board welcomes tOES member input on charting direction for our projects, funding applications and membership services in the year ahead.

If you are interested to join the meeting you need to:
1. email to let us know; admin@toes.ca
2. open a livestream account (no cost to you) - login to northernedgealgonquin.com/live-video.html and set up an account (while further ahead is recomended, you can set up the account 10 minutes beforer the meeting and still join us).
3. Login to your livestream account at 11 am Sat. Dec. 4 and join the meeting.
4. There is no cost to you to participate.

Look forward to your input!

tOES members honoured at Ontario Tourism Summit Awards

On the evening of Monday November 8 th, 2010 two members of the Ontario Ecotourism Society (tOES) were honoured with nominations and one with an award at the Ontario Tourism Awards Gala and Dinner.

The Ontario Tourism Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the tourism industry. The program is organized by the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) in partnership with judges such as those with the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. The awards presentations were made at the gala dinner portion of the OTMPC's Tourism Summit conference at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario.

tOES members, the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat and Northern Edge Algonquin were both nominated for the Industry Awards of Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, with the latter winning the award. Northern Edge was commended for the example they've set in building their solar-powered nature-retreat centre and over the last 15 years at the NW corner of Algonquin Park and the sustainability of their business and programs that reconnect visitors with themselves, the environment and community. The innovative partnership they engaged in this past year with another tOES member, the Bike Train, through their Rails, Trails and Ales program was highlighted as one of the drivers for judges to recognize this family-run company as an industry leader.

Co-founders of Northern Edge Algonquin, Todd and Martha Lucier both took the stage to accept the award. They gave thanks to the team of staff and partners who have helped build their successfull and sustainable business over the years, mentioning in particular Greg Waters who has not only overseen the building of inspiring spaces with sustainable materials but the serving of delicious, locally sourced and primarily organic cuisine as well. Todd also proved his leadership within the industry, encouraging the significant representation of Ontario's tourism industry present in the room to not consider the field limited to the likes of the two small retreats set in Algonquin Park, but that "everyone in this room can do sustainable tourism". He reminded attendees that energy and water conservation, renewable power sources and sustainable products and waste treatments are not only possible but important for all in the tourism industry to engage with if our industry is to survive and thrive in the future.

The Summit Awards and Conference programs were attended by tOES board members intending to use networking and learning gained there to strengthen our education and marketing programs supporting sustainable tourism in Ontario in the weeks and year to come. Some follow-up will be discussed at the tOES AGM to be held December 4, 2010...could be an expanded tOES Sponsored Sustainable Tourism Awards program, a new partnership proposal with the OTMPC.. join or contact us to support us in these endeavours or to attend the AGM.

written by Kara Mitchell

Ecotourism Marketing...What are the Neighbours Doing ?

~ a selection from summer 2010 issue of Ecotourism Ontario, a quarterly newsletter of the Ontario Ecotourism Society geared towards the striving-for-sustainability members of the tourism industry. This article is contributed by editor, Rod Bilz of FRi Ecological Services

Type “cycling Quebec” in Google and you will be rewarded with a virtual smorgasbord
of cycling adventures in the Province of Quebec. The theme of this issue is “Marketing Ecotourism” and Vélo Québec is a perfect example of a well-executed marketing program for a world-class cycling ecotourism product. National Geographic ranked “La Route Verte” first in the top 10 cycling routes on the planet. They must be doing something right. What makes this
product and the associated marketing so successful?
I just returned from a 5-day cycling tour on the Véloroute des Bleuets around Lac St. Jean (Part of “La Route Verte”) and experienced firsthand what it takes to successfully market and deliver a top-notch product. Obviously the web presence by Vélo Québec is a great starting point and they certainly have done an excellent job ensuring it is easy to find cycling tourism products in Québec. I am not going to spend a lot of time on this component of their marketing because several of the articles in this issue deal specifically with electronic media and marketing.
Perhaps the stronger ties with Europe has allowed Québec to build a culture that sees
cycling as a valid means of transportation and recreation. That cycling culture is evident
everywhere you look. The Véloroute des Bleuets was a showpiece collaboration effort between
15 municipalities, local First Nations, cycling associations and the province. The initial
$10 millon investment has provided an annual return of at least $6 million per year since
2000.
There is no doubt at anytime that you are travelling on the Véloroute. The signage is effective and evident everywhere. The signage itself is an effective marketing tool for anyone that is traveling through the region. But it is much more than signs along the route
and a web site. You can feel the commitment of the community with each person that you meet. Everything from signs on the business windows declaring “Cyclists Welcome” to the more concrete things like secure bicycle lock-ups and storage at restaurants and water stations along the route. There is a real atmosphere of promoting the region that is known as the
blueberry capital of Québec. The restaurants offer local foods and the blueberry features prominently.
So what are the neighbours doing? They are doing it right. Marketing really can encompass everything you do and probably should.

To download the rest of this issue of Ecotourism Ontario see us at: www.toes.ca

Call for Speakers - Interational Ecotourism Conference

Opportunity to Present at Leading Tourism Industry
Conference on Sustainability

Call for speakers now open for the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2010 (ESTC 2010) – September 8-10, Portland OR, USA

Portland, OR, February 2, 2010 - Pioneering ecotourism and sustainable travel organization, The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), this year presents its ESTC in Portland, Oregon, with a call for speakers to present on conference sessions focusing on triple bottom line approaches to sustainability in travel and tourism. Co-hosted by Travel Portland and Travel Oregon, the ESTC 2010 will bring together 450+ business leaders, travel and tourism professionals and community members.

Representing the conference organizers, Dr. Kelly Bricker, Chair of TIES Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the ESTC 2010, urges tourism professionals and industry leaders to play an active role in the conference by participating as a speaker. “Highlighting innovative multi-stakeholder solutions,” notes Dr. Bricker, “the ESTC 2010 will be a key meeting place for sustainability experts, business leaders and policy makers who are driving innovation and sustainable change in ecotourism and sustainable tourism. We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with hundreds of key players in the field of ecotourism and sustainable tourism.”

An increasing number of ecotourism and sustainable tourism businesses around the world are recognizing the importance of sustainability as a market driver, and the need to implement effective business strategies to cater to the choices of the new travel consumer seeking travel experiences that align with their environmental and social values, not just economic considerations.

Noting the shift in consumer trend, Richard Edwards, Director of Planeterra Foundation and Co-Chair of the ESTC 2010, calls for tourism professionals to share creative ideas and practical solutions. “We are focusing on sustainability and authenticity as effective responses to the fundamental change that the travel industry has experienced in recent years,” says Edwards. “Rather than discussing what happened as a result of the economic crisis, the conference will foster new opportunities through partnerships and collaboration by engaging participants in action-focused dialogues addressing business opportunities, environmental solutions and community initiatives.”

The ESTC is designed to utilize practical examples of ecotourism and sustainable tourism strategies so that attendees can implement these tools. The ESTC 2010 organizers are seeking submissions of presentation abstracts, that incorporate case studies and best practice examples based on academic research and/or applied experience. Speaker application instructions and online application form can be accessed at: www.ecotourism.org/estc2010-call-for-speakers.

ESTC 2010 sponsors and partners include: Host Destination Travel Portland and Travel Oregon, Expedition Sponsor Gap Adventures, Voluntourism Partner Planeterra Foundation, Journey Sponsor La Cusinga Lodge, and University Partner University of Utah (Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism).



About ESTC

ESTC 2010Providing invaluable networking and knowledge sharing experiences, the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) is a place where innovative minds meet to discuss practical ideas and solutions, and to bring about change in the tourism industry. Hosted by Travel Portland and Travel Oregon, the ESTC 2010 will be held in Portland, Oregon, from September 8-10, 2010. The ESTC 2010 will bring together business leaders, travel and tourism professionals and community members, providing opportunities to share the latest trends in ecotourism and sustainable tourism.

About TIES

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is a non-profit association committed to promoting ecotourism, which is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people" (TIES, 1990), through outreach, education, and collaboration. TIES' global network supports and is supported by members from over 90 countries, who are leading the vital efforts to make travel and tourism more sustainable.

Market Survey finds demand for Ecotourism

Is there proof that the marketplace demand for sustainable tourism exists and is growing? This is a question we find ourselves at tOES occasionally asked.

Yes Virginia, there is a...

(From CTC’s Green Your Business Toolkit for tourism Operators)

"... growing market of sustainably minded travellers. Variously labelled as "ethical travellers," "future-shapers," or "green consumers," this group's purchase decisions are now being noted across a wide range of markets. Although concerns about price or weather at the destination continue to be important factors in choosing vacations and packages, a growing number of travellers are making purchase decisions based on a prospective destination's commitment to sustainable business practices.

Preliminary findings from the CTC's 2008 Global Tourism Watch survey reveal a growing number of consumers in the nation's core markets are interested in sustainable tourism and are willing to pay a premium for sustainable travel products. Of the nine countries surveyed, 60% of travellers (on average) in those countries are willing to pay a one percent to 10% premium for environmentally friendly travel products. Another international survey (TripAdvisor, April 2007) of 1,000 travellers worldwide found that 40% take environmentally friendly tourism into consideration when making travel plans. TNS Canadian Facts has found in its own survey research that these "future shapers" exhibit a growing awareness of global warming and of matters such as child labour or the plight of indigenous peoples. Many of these travellers plan their trips independently, are Web savvy and are beginning to alter purchasing habits. Beyond their commitment to "green" values, these consumers expect higher standards of cuisine, accessibility to spa and wellness facilities, and other higher value "authentic" products and experiences.

To see TNS Canadian Facts full market survey presentation and other ecotourism research, see our resources page.

The Tourism Sustainability Council

The Tourism Sustainability Council - an article featured in Ecotourism Ontario , winter 2010 edition. See our newsletter pages for the complete and past publications.

Contributor: Catalina Etcheverry (United Nations Foundation)
Sustainable Tourism Program Manager

The widespread and worldwide movement towards sustainable production and consumption is finally catching up with the tourism industry. Luckily policy makers, business owners, service providers, local, national, and regional industry associations, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and concerned travelers are all beginning to recognize the role they have to play in promoting sustainable tourism. As a result, they are looking for ways to inform their decision making and verify the credibility of the tourism products they support. There is great potential right now to think smartly about how the tourism market can be used to preserve the environment and change people’s lives.

The Tourism Sustainability Council is borne with the mission to improve tourism’s potential to be a driver of positive conservation and economic development for communities and businesses around the world and a tool for poverty alleviation. It is a multi-stakeholder initiative created to serve as the international body for fostering the increased knowledge and understanding of sustainable tourism practices, promoting the adoption of universal sustainable tourism principles, and increasing the access to markets of sustainable product.

The biggest challenge for sustainable tourism was that, until recently, there was no clear and easily digestible definition with universal buy-in among the tourism industry, travelers, media and others. With no "common denominator" of what would be considered sustainable, there is inevitable uncertainty among travelers as to what they're actually embarking on and a certain inherit skepticism in the process. Clearly this artificially dampens the value of sustainability for operators and destinations. Until recently, there were hundreds of different measures for what constituted “sustainable tourism.” Some were good; some were bad; none was universal.
And so, along with the Rainforest Alliance, the UN Environment Programme, and the UN World Tourism Organization, the UN Foundation reached out to over 80,000 people and engaged more than 30 organizations to help launch a global standard for “sustainable tourism” that would let everyone know that they are on the same page. In 2008, a coalition of more than 50 partners representing industry, governments, nongovernmental organizations and academia, launched the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, a set of 37 criteria derived from certifications and best practices that are global in nature and feasible to implement.

Using these Criteria as a guide, tourists will know if they are traveling in a responsible way. Businesses, big and small, can profit from being able to certify their good works as they attract a growing number of people around the world who see personal value in this kind of tourism. The goal with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria is to help leverage and capitalize on the growing consumer interest by aligning all tourism stakeholders with a common understanding of sustainable tourism – from purchasers to suppliers to consumers.

The Criteria’s success depends on its universality, so great pains were taken to get everyone’s input over the course of 18 months. Through this process, four main characteristics that define sustainable tourism were developed: maximizing tourism’s social and economic benefits to local communities; reducing negative impacts on cultural heritage; reducing harm to local environments; and planning for long term sustainability.

To some this may sound like something that fits into the traditional mold of corporate social responsibility. But, it is becoming increasingly clear that tourists and travelers are beginning to demand sustainable tourism options. Embracing these values and practices early in the game will allow businesses to maximize their profits and become pioneers of sustainable tourism, a once in a lifetime opportunity.