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Eco-Certification for Tourist-Related Business
Audubon Mississippi and the Institute for Compatible Development are working together to promote nature-based tourism on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A key component of this effort is focused on encouraging tourist-related businesses to seek eco-certification as a means of demonstrating sustainable development and as a marketing tool. There are two clear benefits to becoming eco-certified. First, the process of becoming certified serves to show businesses clear ways and means of saving money in basic operation. Second, once certified, the mantle of certification can be used in promoting the business as eco-friendly.
Through a grant from The Nature Conservancy, Audubon, working with the Institute of Compatible Development and the Moss Point Oaks Bed & Breakfast, has initiated an effort to encourage local businesses to consider seeking eco-certification under a program designed and managed by Sustainable Travel International (STI): a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable development and eco-friendly travel. This organization recently certified Moss Point Oaks B & B as the first eco-certified business of its kind in North America. The Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP) is designed to guide interested businesses trough a process of assessing current operations that lead to adopting sustainable practices and subsequently to certification. Examples include the development of a sustainability policy and incorporating simple water and energy conservation practices that can save money in the short and long-term.
Currently, STI certifies four categories of tourist-related businesses, including:
• Tour operators
• Accommodations
• Attractions, and
• Transportation providers.
Sustainable Travel International is also working to develop a community-based program that would certify a geographic area. Audubon and the Institute for Compatible Development have agreed to work with STI to pilot this latter option in Jackson County.
Audubon and its partners are excited about the possibility of working with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in educating local businesses about this effort and helping to support the growing nature-based tourism industry. Our current short-term goals include working with 6-8 local businesses to seek eco-certification by the end of 2007 and working to establish an association of eco-certified businesses that can work together to promote the industry.
For more information about this effort, contact Mark LaSalle at the Pascagoula River Audubon Center (228-475-0825, mlasalle@audubon.org ) or Dan Brooks at Moss Point Oaks B & B (228-474-1367, mosspointoaks@bellsouth.net ).
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