Tourism forums to discuss sustainability, profit
By Katherine Nichols
Advertiser Staff Writer
With 7 million tourists filtering through the Islands each year, finding ways to economically sustain the state's No. 1 industry without damaging the environment or letting the Hawaiian culture fade has become increasingly crucial.
"Tourism Strategies for Sustainability and Profit: Is Balance Possible?" • 4 p.m. tomorrow • School of Architecture Auditorium at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. Panel discussion to follow. • Think Tank lectures will be held at the East-West Center's Hawaii Imin International Conference Center. • Lunch lecture 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday features Pearl Imada-Iboshi, the state's chief economist. Cost $25. • Lunch lecture 12-1 p.m. Thursday features Mayor Jeremy Harris. Cost $25. • Lunch lecture 12-1 p.m. Friday features Peter Apo of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association. Cost $25. • All lectures are free. • Those who would like to attend the curriculum-writing breakout sessions can call Audrey Tantamjarik at 956-3474.
Although a recent study classified 55 million Americans as "sustainable" or "geotourists," concerns are growing that sustainability is more theory than practice and any destination that attempts to tackle these issues cannot remain economically viable.
The conference
"Very often the two are juxtaposed," said Pauline Sheldon, dean of the School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawai'i. "Economic sustainability is equally important for the quality of life for the residents in the destinations."
Finding ways to achieve both is the purpose of the second annual Ambassador L.W. "Bill" Lane Jr. Lecture on Sustainable Tourism tomorrow at the School of Architecture auditorium at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa.
The lecture and subsequent panel discussion will be presented in conjunction with the Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel Think Tank, which will take place at UH-Manoa from Wednesday through Saturday.
The think tank will assemble experts from industry and academia to develop curriculum modules in various aspects of sustainable tourism that can then be added to any course by any professor at travel industry management schools worldwide.
Participants include David Vidal, director of research for Global Corporate Citizenship, and Paul Casey, chief executive of Hawaiian Airlines.
In its study of the tourism industry in 80 countries, BEST has found that the most successful companies examine how they can involve both guests and employees "to create an ethos of stewardship," said Michael Seltzer, the New York-based director and founder of BEST and a former Hawai'i resident.
Empowering the employee, where life experiences and suggestions are valued in an "employee-up model of innovation" provides the best results, Seltzer said.
"This immediately translates to increasing the pleasure of the guests," he said, "and ensures the well-being and the integrity of a local destination."
Whether it means offering cultural training to employees on company time and then including cultural activities at the hotel, leaving the minimum effect on the surrounding area, or laundering the linens less frequently, Seltzer emphasized that sustainability issues must not be "cosmetic add-ons."
Instead, a tourism business such as a hotel must view the guest as a partner, and reflect sustainability in the values and mission statement and the training of new employees.
"Simply talking about towel re-use is just the tip of the iceberg," Seltzer said.
The growing niche of Americans classified as "geotourists" represents people who want to "engage in travel that makes a difference," Seltzer said.
As part of the conference, the lecture will feature Pam Wight, an ecotourism expert in Canada who will speak about "Tourism Strategies for Sustainability and Profit: Is Balance Possible?" Organizers expect about 200 people to attend.
A panel discussion will follow Wight's address, with participants including Bernard Lane, editor of the Journal of Sustainable Tourism; Ivo Martinac, a leader in the sustainable energy engineering program at the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden; and Juanita Liu, a professor in the UH School of Travel Industry Management.
