Alex Naar, Director of Sustainable Tourism Outreach at East Carolina University's Center for Sustainable Tourism, talks about the growth of eco-tourism, nationally and in North Carolina, and about his office’s programs to enhance that growth.

1. Sustainability and Tourism
In Partnership with:
ECU’s Office of Innovation, Engagement and Economic
Development

2. Tourism in North Carolina
In 2010
• Sixthmost visited state in the U.S
• with 36.8 million visitors
• who spent$17 billion while visiting the state
• directly supporting 185,500 jobs
• and contributing $1.5 million in state and
local taxes

3. Easy to Understand Why

4. But Might Not Stay that Way

5. Some broad questions to ponder?
• What will we rename Glacier National Park?
• How limited can a view be due to air pollution and
still be breathtaking?
• What happens if ski resorts can’t make snow until
after Christmas?
• How many people can hike on the same trail before
you’re just standing in a line?
• Will the destinations you visited as a child still be
there to take your children (or grandchildren)?
Is travel sustainable?

6. Greening of Tourism Industry

7. State Level Sustainable Tourism

8. Why pursue sustainability in tourism?
1. Decrease costs/improve profits;
2. Responding to consumer demand;
3. Governmental regulation;
4. Contribute to the well-being of the
community.

9. Core Mission of Our Center
To transform the tourism industry in its adoption and
application of sustainable actions for positive economic
growth and general community development.
a) graduate education and training
b) research, and
c) service and consultancy.
Target audiences: tourism businesses, government
entities, NGO’s and individual travelers.

10. Some Trends…
•All things equal, travelers prefer greener options
• Small, but growing, segment of travel market are seeking greener
travel options
• Conflict between luxury and green is over
• Travelers are becoming better educated and more demanding
about sustainable tourism
• Business travel leading the way
• Not all green practices have same impact on cost savings or
attracting customers
• Very strong and growing number of travelers seeking authentic
experiences

11. Alex Naar
Director of Sustainable Tourism Outreach
Office of Innovation, Engagement, and Economic Development
and Center for Sustainable Tourism
Email: naara@ECU.edu
Telephone: (252)737-1346
www.sustainabletourism.org
Serving the Region, State and Nation.