This document discusses sustainable development and eco-tourism. It begins with questions about environmental issues, ways to help the environment daily, what "going green" means, definitions of sustainable development and how businesses connected to tourism may care about the environment differently. It then discusses environmental impacts of various hospitality industry businesses and questions about reducing impacts, negative effects of tourism, and limiting construction in some areas. Finally, it provides vocabulary related to environmental and sustainability terms.

1. SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
AND ECO-TOURISM

2. QUESTIONS
1. WHAT ARE SOME ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES FACING OUR WORLD?
2. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN HELP THE ENVIRONMENT ON A DAILY
BASIS?
3. WHAT DO YOU THINK IT MEANS TO ‘GO GREEN’?
4. WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT?
5. WHY DO YOU THINK BUSINESSES IN GENERAL WOULD CARE ABOUT THE
ENVIRONMENT? DO YOU THINK IT’S ANY DIFFERENT FOR BUSINESSES
CONNECTED TO TOURISM?
6. WHAT EVIRONMENT IMPACTS ARE MADE BY BUSINESSES IN THE HOSPITALITY
INDUSTRY?
AIRLINES
RESTAURANTS/BARS
ECOTOURISM
AUTOMOBILES
HOTELS
ENTERTAINMENT
7. DO YOU THINK IT WOULD COST MORE MONEY OR LESS MONEY TO REDUCE
THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT?
8. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANY DIRECT NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE
ENVIRONMENT CAUSED BY TOURISTS OR TOURISM?
9. DO YOU THINK COUNTRIES SHOULD LIMIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF
BUSINESSES IN CERTAIN AREAS, EVEN IF IT MEANS SLOWER ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT?

3. VOCABULARY
ACID RAIN BIODEGRADABLE
BIODIVERSITY CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON DIOXIDE CLIMATE CHANGE
DEFORESTATION TOXIC CHEMICALS
DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS RECYCLE
RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS RECYCLED PRODUCTS
DROUGHT ENDANGERED SPECIES
ENERGY CONSERVATION SMOG
FUMES EXHAUST
GLOBAL WARMING NATURAL RESOURCES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT RENEWABLE ENERGY
OIL SPILL INDUSTRIAL RUNOFF
POLLUTION SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
LANDFILL A DUMP
MARINE LIFE ANIMAL LIFE
NATURAL GAS PRESERVATION
ENERGY-EFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL WASTE
WASTE SOLAR ENERGY
TO DUMP TO WASTE
TO RENEW TO RECYCLE
TO DISPOSE (OF) TO DEVELOP
TO CUT BACK (ON) TO CUT DOWN (ON)
TO DESTROY TO POLLUTE
TO PROTECT TO SAVE
TO THROW AWAY TO USE UP
TO CONTAMINATE TO HARM
TO POISON TO PRESERVE
TO REDUCE TO REUSE
TO THREATEN TO GO GREEN
WHAT DOES ___________ MEAN?

4. Hotel Industry Embraces Green Revolution
Hotels are taking advantage of consumers' desire for eco-friendly vacation options.
The green economic revolution is impacting the $90 billion U.S. hotel industry.
Hoteliers and their vendors have the unique opportunity to increase revenue and
market share by aligning themselves with their customers' emerging green focus.
One innovative leader is Habitat Suites in Austin, Texas. The hotel's motto is
"Environmental consciousness in action." The hotel environment is free of toxic
chemicals, has the largest hotel solar system in the continental U.S., and the property's
organic fruit and vegetable garden is used for hotel food services and contributes to
local food banks.
The customer reaction resulting from this environmental consciousness is profound.
'Every morning at our front desk you will hear our guests remark in wonder over how
well they slept last night," general manager Natalie Marquis says. "I believe one reason
we get this strong positive feedback is because we stopped using chemical pesticides 20
years ago. Our rooms are ecologically fresh, which allows the human body to relax,
enabling our guests to experience a better sleep than in other hotels that use pesticides
and toxic cleaning chemicals, or even in the guest's own homes."
Hotel chains are also getting in on the green revolution. For example, Ashley Carroll
directs the Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program at the
Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Hawaii. Initially the program was designed to provide fun and
learning for the kids visiting the resort with their parents.
"The kids came back at the end of the day telling such wonderful stories that the parents
began asking to attend. This has expanded the Ambassadors of the Environment into a
guest engagement experience," Carroll says.

5. This guest engagement has grown from just learning about the local marine life to
educational nature walks through Maui's native forests, a garden growing native foods
and community engagement with Maui volunteers dedicated to the preservation of
their island's culture and environment. This program could potentially increase repeat
business and attract frequent travelers who make last-minute decisions based on a
search for unique experiences.
Food grown in the hotel's native garden provides hotel guests with a healthy dining
experience. In fact, the hotel's adoption of native gardening also gives guests a
compelling reason to eat at the hotel and accounts for 15 percent of hotel guests'
revenue stream.
According to a recent report published by the Green Hotels Association, "Companies
with proactive environmental strategies have a 4 percent higher return on investment,
9 percent higher sales growth and 17 percent higher operating income growth than
companies with poor environmental track records."
"While tourism is down due to the recession and higher airfares, Hawaii's eco-tourism
is still strong.' says Annette Kaohelaulii, president of the Hawaii Ecotourism
Association. "The eco-tourist understands that you can go to Disneyland or Las Vegas
where things are done for you; but when an eco-tourist comes to a place like Hawaii he
gets to do activities that benefit the environment, native culture and the human spirit."
The value in experiential learning is a major marketing theme and competitive
advantage green hotels are using to maintain and expand their revenues.
Finally, non-hotel-industry entrepreneurs are realizing business opportunities in the
green vacation industry. Take Patricia Griffin, president of the Green Hotel Association.
She started the association 15 years ago after visiting Europe and learning how hotel
quests respond positively to requests for non-daily sheet and towel cycling as a way to
save energy and water, and reduce the use of cleaning products. Today you will find

6. her association's desk cards in hotel rooms across America, suggesting to guests that
they help the environment by not requesting daily towel and bed-linen cleaning.
Three lessons from the green revolution's impact
on the hotel industry:
1. Cost-competitive advantage . Saving green by going green is where most of
today's business focus is directed. In these recessionary times, going green can
make the difference in being able to compete on price.
2. Green revenue growth. This is where the green economic revolution is
heading, growing revenue by going green. This is a multi-trillion-dollar global
opportunity for building or cementing customer loyalty as consumers focus
increasingly upon sustainability and wellness.
3. Green entrepreneurship. In every economic revolution, there is opportunity
for the entrepreneur as the traditional big players struggle to adopt their
legacy systems and business practices. Customers are looking for businesses
that offer fresh solutions that support their quest for "going green."

7. VOCABULARY
FIND A WORD OR PHRASE THAT
MEANS…
THE MONEY YOU GET BACK ON AN
INVESTMENT
A BAD ECONOMIC TIME
TO AFFECT
ANIMALS AND FISH IN THE WATER
THE COMPANY’S PART OF THE MARKET
INCOME
COST OF AIR TRAVEL
TO ACT IN PREPARATION OF INSTEAD
OF WAITING
TO BENEFIT, PROFIT OR GAIN FROM
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT
GIVES FOOD TO POOR PEOPLE
A MANAGER OR OWNER OF HOTEL
A HOTEL THAT IS OWNED BY A LARGER
CORPORATION, AND CAN BE FOUND
IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
INTRODUCING SOMETHING NEW OR
DIFFERENT
DEEPLY MEANINGFUL
HARMFUL CHEMICALS
A RESPONSE TO AN ACTIVITY OR
PROCESS
A SENTENCE, PHRASE OR WORD
EXPRESSING THE SPIRIT OR PURPOSE OF
A PERSON OR ORGANIZATION
CHEMICALS USED ON FARMS TO KEEP
INSECTS OFF OF PLANTS
A SELLER
AWARENESS
MEANING THAT YOU CAN DO
SOMETHING BETTER THAN SOMEONE
ELSE
VERY STRONG
PEOPLE STARTING BUSINESSES
CUSTOMERS/GUESTS THAT RETURN
MONEY COMING INTO THE BUSINESS

8. FIND A WORD OR PHRASE THAT
MEANS…
SHEETS, BLANKETS, PILLOWCASES,
DUVETS
TO SAVE MONEY
THE TENDENCY OF YOUR CUSTOMERS
TO STAY WITH YOUR BRAND OR
COMPANY
TO MAKE THE RELATIONSHIP STRONGER
TO FIGHT

9. QUESTIONS
1. HOW MUCH IS THE U.S. HOTEL INDUSTRY WORTH?
2. HOW ARE HOTELIERS AND VENDORS TRYING TO INCREASE REVENUE?
3. WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF ‘ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS’?
4. HOW ARE GUESTS RESPONDING TO HOTELS’ EFFORTS TO GO GREEN?
5. HOW ARE SOME HOTELS ABLE TO PROVIDE HEALTHIER FOOD?
6. WHAT DOES IT SAY THE FINANCIAL RESULT OF COMPANIES THAT ARE
PROACTIVE REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENT?
7. WHY IS TOURISM IN HAWAII STILL STRONG DESPITE THE RISE IN AIRFARES AND
A DIP IN THE ECONOMY?
8. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT HOTELS CAN GO GREEN?
9. WHAT ARE THE 3 MAIN LESSONS OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION ON THE HOTEL
INDUSTRY?

10. VIDEO 1: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
VOCABULARY
TO GROW
EXPONENTIALLY
FRAGILE TO DEGRADE
A PRICE DRIVEN MARKET PROFIT MARGINS TO TURN BACK THE
CLOCK
THE SNOWBALL EFFECT TO THRIVE TO GRASP AN
OPPORTUNITY
QUESTIONS
1. HOW MANY TOURISTS TRAVEL EVERY YEAR?
2. WHAT DOES BRIC STAND FOR?
3. WHY IS TOURISM UNIQUE AMONG INDUSTRIES?
4. WHY HAS THE PRESSURE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INCREASED?
5. WHAT IS THE TRAVEL FOUNDATION AND WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?
6. WHAT COMPANIES WILL SURVIVE IN THE FUTURE?

11. VIDEO 2: ECO-TOURISM IN BRAZIL
VOCABULARY
TO HARVEST IN THE MIDDLE OF
NOWHERE
A SLOTH
UNTAMED A 360 DEGREE VIEW TO CAPTURE
TO BLOSSOM INDIGENOUS A MUST-SEE
BIG BUSINESS TO FLOOD TO LURE VISITORS
TO RAKE IN AN ANACONDA PREY
PREDATOR A NET FLESH
REMOTE A LAGOON A NUISANCE
BAIT DIVERSITY A RAY OF HOPE
QUESTIONS
1. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SEE THE RAINFORESTS OF BRAZIL?
2. WHAT CAN YOU SEE THERE?
3. HOW MUCH MONEY IS BROUGHT IN EVERY YEAR BY TOURISTS FROM ECO-
TOURISM?
4. WHAT IS ‘AMAZON TOWERS’?
5. WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT IT?
6. WHAT WAS THIS PLACE ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR?
7. WHY COULDN’T THIS PLACE BE BUILT NOW?

12. 8. HOW LONG IS THE RAIN SEASON?
9. WHAT DO ANACONDAS EAT?
10.WHAT’S A CAYMAN?
11.WHAT IS THE LARGEST ANIMAL IN THE AMAZON?
12.WHAT IS THE MOST UNIQUE ANIMAL FOUND THEIR?
13.WHY IS THIS A NON-TRADITIONAL WAY OF MAKING MONEY?

13. VIDEO 3: THE TOP 10 MOST ECO-FRIENDLY
HOTELS IN THE WORLD
VOCABULARY
NATURAL HABITAT CARBON FOOTPRINT TO GO ABOVE AND
BEYOND
A LANDSCAPE SHADE TOILETRIES
A REEF GREYWATER AWARD-WINNING
GREENERY HERBS TO BOAST
ENDANGERED SPECIES SOLID WASTE A BREEZE
ROOFTOP HEAT INSULATION TO FEED
NAME OF HOTEL LOCATION INTERESING FACTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.