Tourism Benefits

Another critical reason for a business to be green is to ensure that the community they are a part of prospers. Being green should not only be seen as something profitable to the individual agency but rather all those who live and visit the area. Due to poor environmental conditions caused by the BP oil spill, New Orleans tourism may suffer. The city fears that potential visitors may have a negative image of New Orleans due to the crisis. With so much of New Orleans’ economy relying heavily upon tourism, the city is asking BP for $75 million that will go towards marketing efforts to combat negative images of the city. This CNN article on this story goes into more detail about the oil spill’s effect on tourism on the region.

To visitors, a city that values its environment is unique and desirable. Some of the most popular travel destinations in the US also happen to be among the greenest cities. San Francisco, Boston and Chicago are some of the most popular destinations in the country and were all named in 2008 as one of the top ten greenest cities by Popular Science Magazine. It can clearly be seen that sustainable communities experience more tourism and more profit. Tourism is not only vital to large cities- any community has the ability to bring in visitors for leisure and business purposes. Local businesses need to realize the large part they play in promoting tourism through their own green efforts. Promoting tourism is a community-wide marketing effort that can yield great benefits. What to do once a group of businesses have gone green? Contact your local convention and visitors bureau. Share with them the great work that has been going on. Tourism marketing professionals there will be able to assist with promoting your area as a green destination.

Green certification programs are excellent ways for community businesses to come together to become and promote being green. The Illinois Green Business Association has already assisted businesses in Champaign County accomplish this task and is now expanding into McLean County. Businesses in the state are encouraged to contact the IGBA for help on ways to start becoming a sustainable business.