Sustainable/Green Tourism Initiative in Western and East Central Minnesota

Purpose: Sustainable/Green tourism routes would direct people to places where they can get locally-grown food and locally-made products as well as participate in other attractions, such as hiking and biking trails, birding sights, art events, etc. in the area.

Idea: Encourage individuals to eat and vacation in ways that support healthy rural communities and encourage other businesses to support local food systems and green business practices.

"Going Green" means making a commitment to gradually, continually making your business, home or institutions economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

What is sustainable/green tourism?
Sustainable/green tourism embraces guidelines and principles that seek to:

Minimize environmental impacts

• Contribute to local sustainable development
  
• Require the lowest possible consumption of non-renewable resources
  
• Sustain the well-being of local people
  
• Stress local ownership
  
• Support efforts to conserve the environment
  
• Contribute to biodiversity

Tourism in Minnesota

• Tourism is a key sector in Minnesota's economy, producing $9.8 billion annually.
  
• In 2002, 45% of the leisure travelers in Minnesota were state residents.

Minnesota Market Trends

• Success of Living Green Expo (More than 10,000 people attended the Expo in 2004)
  
• Increase in numbers and membership at food co-ops, and increase in demand for organic/natural products in mainstream grocery stores.
  
• Success of the Blue Sky Guide, Minnesota Palette, and others.
  
• Increase in wildlife tourism, birding, biking, etc.
  
• Increased interested in the philanthropic community in these issues.

This project will offer people the opportunity to learn how to incorporate economically, environmentally and socially sustainable practices into their tourism and business plans.

Who should participate?

For more information, contact Christy James at (612) 963-0467 or email: christy@christyjames.com.