Eco-Tourism - Bayfield, Wisconsin

October 13th - October 17th

Destination was “green” and environmentally conscious in practice and encourages others to be respective of their environment. Participants were exposed to ways to focus on maintaining the natural setting of a destination while gearing it towards tourists who want to travel, enjoy nature while being environmentally friendly

• To gain knowledge in the techniques used by various destinations in planning and developing new forms of sustainable tourism
• How has a shift towards eco-tourism impacted tourism businesses
• To gain insight into the many trade-offs that are considered when developing a sustainable tourism product.
• To learn the process of how to successfully take a sustainable community development action plan and put it into implementation
• To learn from “real life” implementation projects on how a community development initiative centered around sustainability can be created and maintained
• How to encourage eco-tourism buy in from tourism operators – what are the advantages to being certified as a “green business”
• What is the importance and credibility of green certification programs
• To learn key marketing tools (signage, logo, taglines, etc.) that are necessary in promoting a eco tourism efforts.
• What kind of effort and convincing was needed to bring all players on-side in this type of effort?
• How the transformation was funded and how long it took as well as how obstacles were dealt with
• Define the process of how the sustainable community development began through to finish.
• What were the major obstacles? Who was involved?
• What can be done to enhance a theme such as eco-tourism?
• How does history set the stage for sustainable tourism and how can history and culture enrich the commitment to sustainability?
• What kind of partnerships can be developed with the community leaders and economic partners?
• To observe first hand a well developed sustainable community and to gain knowledge on what constitutes its success as a successful destination
• Learn about the regional efforts being made by area communities to promote sustainable community development – why this is important, and what have been the challenges to date.
• Do municipal and provincial governments view eco tourism as an important economical contributor?
• How to identify and understand sustainable tourism product opportunities

 

Click here to view this mission's Itinerary Click Here for the Eco-Tourism Final Report

 

Destination was “green” and environmentally conscious in practice and encourages others to be respective of their environment. Participants were exposed to ways to focus on maintaining the natural setting of a rural destination while gearing it towards tourists who want to travel, enjoy nature while being environmentally friendly

 

A really excellent mix of presentations, tours, opportunities for conversation, good/excellent meals, questions/discussions with those who have experienced eco-municipality movement/eco-tourism operations.

As an economic development officer I hope to utilize the info learned to provide pre-established business with cost-savings opportunities as a beginning point

Encourage participants in development of green certification program