Editor:
Last week the Rocky Mountain Outlook ran a story about the carbon cost of tourism and travel.
I applaud their efforts to get us to lift our collective “eyes” to issues that are beyond the more immediate COVID-19 triggered economic jamming our economies in “park.”
We have the “triple crown” of crisis happening. These are the COVID-19 crisis, the fact our oil and gas is now worth less than a foot long sub and the looming and only slightly longer range climate change crisis.
When the world reopens, the future may not look like the past. Research suggests our guests may be much more concerned with the world's health than before.
There are multiple studies outlining demand for sustainable tourism. A 2015 study for the province of Ontario in Canada found that 61 per cent of respondents were very or extremely interested in businesses or destinations showcasing their sustainability initiatives. These percentages are only moving upwards since then.
Recently we calculated the greenhouse gas footprint of a major Bow Valley business. Its GHG offsets necessary to meet the United Nations sectorial call for partnerships would be less than a standard marketing campaign.
Imagine being green enough to meet the UN’s mandate. What a competitive advantage for any business. But only the first mover gets to promote their leadership position.
I challenge all Bow Valley businesses and/or associations to lead the way for the province, country and world by meeting and exceeding the UN’s call for partnerships – Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism
Joey O’Brien,
Canmore
