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(68) Increasing the Sustainability of Tourism by Focusing on Natural Resource Stewardship
J. Thomas Chesnutt, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University, Alabama
Session: Concurrent session D3: Statewide Extension Initiatives
Tourism has a mammoth economic impact throughout the US – it is a $1.3 trillion industry in the US, and it is the first, second or third largest industry in 29 states. Like any large industry, not all impacts are positive. However, tourism is one of the few industries that have the potential to result in a healthier planet, as identified in the Rio Declaration of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. The key is making tourism sustainable at the local level.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) is building its tourism economic development program around sustainable tourism by focusing on the states natural resources. This tourism program contains nine key components: Outdoor Alabama Partnership, AU Eco-tourism Initiative, Gulf State Park Partnership, Alabama Scenic River Trail, Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE), Alabama-Mississippi Rural Tourism Conference, Alabama Scenic Byways, Alabama Wildflower Advisory Committee, and Alabama Agri-tourism Trail. Not only do all of these programs focus on sustainability, all are also done in partnership with a variety of other agencies and organizations.
This presentation will highlight all nine of these components. The Outdoor Alabama Partnership is being developed to promote existing outdoor recreation opportunities and to assist communities in developing nature-based tourism opportunities, particularly in rural areas. Both the Alabama Scenic River Trail and Scenic Byways programs are new and are designed to connect the paddlers and travelers to the unique resources of the area while protecting the intrinsic qualities. We need sustainable communities in order to have sustainable tourism, and the purpose of ACE is to provide communities with a comprehensive community development program which ensures long term sustainability. The goal of the Alabama Agri-tourism Trail is to provide added revenues for farmers and to increase tourism attractions for small communities by focusing on both agricultural and natural resources opportunities.
J. Thomas Chesnutt
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
218 Extension Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849, USA
Phone: 334-844-3517
Fax: 334-844-4709
chesnjt@auburn.edu