AlbertaSustainable Tourism Forum

Tourism DivisionProduct Development Branch

Alberta’s Initiative (ASTI)

Best Practices

Objectives/Priorities

ASTI and LUF

Forum Participation

Overview

History – Feb 08 Workshop What is the Alberta Sustainable Tourism Initiative (ASTI) ?

Who is involved in the Working Group?• Tourism Canmore • AHLA• Biosphere Institute • Town of Banff• Mahikan Trails

Why did it form?• Organizations with public commitment to

sustainability• Commitment to improvement• Different sizes, scales – similar location

Alberta’s Initiative

ASTI

• A Natural Step Community

• Community Sustainability Plan

• Sustainable Economic Development and Tourism Strategy

Partner 1 – Tourism Canmore

Partner 2 - AHLAProject Goals• Engage members• Maximize partnerships • Develop tools & audits• Benchmark industry• Best practices• Identify opportunities• Establish new partnerships• Integrate program

Partner 2 AHLA Representative - Banff Aspen Lodge

Partner 3 – Biosphere Institute of Bow Valley• Non-profit charitable society dedicated to enhancing understanding of ecological integrity as it pertains to the Bow River Watershed.

• Developed Eco-Idea Centre Project

• Education and Interpretation

• Bow Valley Sustainability Hub

Partner 4 – Town of Banff• Travel Alberta ALTO Award for Sustainable Tourism

Partner 4 – Town of Banff• Town of Banff Hybrid Transportation System

Roam

Partner 5 – Mahikan Trails• Provider of Aboriginal Learning Adventures in the Canadian Rockies

• Focus on keeping our groups small and intimate

Triple Bottom Line

Economic Objectives• Business value and profitability• Industry growth

Environmental Objectives• Protect natural assets• Inform and educate people

Socio-Cultural Objectives• Preserve culture and heritage• Community involvement

ASTI

Key Priority Areas

• Guest Education

• Visitor Communication

• Human Resources

• Verification / Certification

• Marketing

• Climate Change

ASTI

Provincial Government Co-operation

Service & Hospitality Marketing & Promotion

Sustainable Tourism

• Air• Land• Water

Transportation• Small• Medi um• Large

Accommodation

LeadershipPolicy Training FundingPlanning

• Festiv als / Ev ents• Recreation• Entertainment

Attractions

• NGO’s• DMO’s• Aboriginal

Special Interest• Small• Medi um• Large

Tours / Operators

• Local• Regional• Education/Organization

Institutions / Govt’s

Alberta Sustainable Tourism Initiative (ASTI)

Vision• “That Alberta’s tourism industry and its visitors become a

catalyst for positive change by achieving sustainable mainstream integration of environmental, economic and socio- cultural practices”.

ASTI

Mission

• “To facilitate and build triple-bottom line awareness and best practices into all aspects of the industry so that its consumption will be a measure of success”.

Alberta’s Land Use FrameworkASTI

• Will provide Alberta's Tourism Industry the opportunity to significantly enhance its competitiveness and success.

• Is about industry growth that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.

• A major opportunity for Tourism Operators, and the industry, to get involved in shaping the future of Tourism in the Province.

• Setting spatially explicit land use priorities and establishing critical policies to enable the province to effectively achieve its desired economic, social and environmental goals.

• Representing the interests of the tourism industry and working to ensure the regional plans will enable a competitive and successful tourism industry.

Thank you

Lets introduce our first set of speakers