On 5 December 2014, Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons spoke about tourism and sustainability – and where jobs of the 21st century in his opinion are going to come from – at a launch event for a new EV transport service in Queenscliff, the Bongo Transit.
Here are some excerpts from what is already being referred to as mayor Darryn Lyons’ “sustainable tourism speech”:
“Tourism contributes over a billion dollars to our economy annually. Domestic tourism through the winter in the City of Geelong is up 6.3 per cent since I was elected mayor and the international visitation is up 7.4 per cent. Extraordinary figures in such a short space of time. It provides 3,365 jobs.
With tourism to provide economic growth and provide jobs it is critical that the growth is sustainable, and environmentally sustainable. We can’t kill the goose that laid the golden egg. Now more than ever people are making conscious choices about the experience and products they undertake while they are on holiday.
71 per cent of TripAdvisor members intend to make green choices a bigger part of their travel decisions. 93 per cent of Conde Nast Traveler readers believe tourism businesses should be responsible for protecting the environment. The tourism industry has had to adapt to sustainable practices in a way that we have never ever seen before. We are seeing more and more accommodation properties installing solar power. I did that within the last month. The “Hang up your towel” cards in hotels are now common place around Australia.
So that is why it is exciting to be here today. To see a company that has taken the idea and run with it. Just like this mayor does. I have an idea and I have many a day. I can’t run with them all because it is a difficult council to run with at times. They don’t want to run with anything. Other than out the back door when I come in.
I cannot wait to see the Bongos in the City of Greater Geelong soon, and they certainly have my full support. I hope that councillors in the City of Greater Geelong see the need and the incredible use of this, and I am look forward to Mik [Aidt] coming to Council and posing that question. So that might be a situation where the councillors might wake up and smell the coffee – as I am right now. Thank you very much.”
Interview with Queenscliff mayor Helene Cameron in The Sustainable Hour
» Bongo Transit’s home page:
www.bongotransit.com.au
» Bongo Transit on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/bongotransitptyltd
» Queenscliff Herald – 5 June 2014:
Bongo! Get on board!!
Article by Peter Taylor
45 second promo for the Bongo
Sustainable tourism
“93 per cent of Conde Nast Traveler readers surveyed in 2011 said that travel companies should be responsible for protecting the environment.”
» Download Blue&Green’s Sustainable Tourism Guide 2014 (88 page PDF, 5 MB)
» www.facebook.com/blueandgreentomorrow
Charter for a sustainable and responsible cultural mobility
Here is an online toolkit for cultural professionals, company tour managers, venue managers, programfunders and policy-makers willing to respect social and environmental standards whenever they practice, fund or support cultural mobility.
Sustainable Destinations Global Top 100
This is a benchmarking of sustainability leadership and environmental best practice in destinations around the world, carefully selected by 30 international tourism and sustainability experts.
» www.greendestinations.info/top100
» Sustainability Leaders – 14 June 2014:
Chinese Tourists Care Most About Green Hotel Commitment
“An astonishing 79% of Chinese tourists said that they would prefer eco-friendly hotels and 35% even said that they would pay $5 or more to stay in one, reports Valere Tjolle on TravelMole.com.”
» The Guardian – 3 April 2014:
Sustainable tourism: 10 key issues investors should consider
“From energy consumption and sourcing to poor working conditions and tax avoidance, there are many areas to consider”
Read more about Sustainable Tourism
Transport and jobs
» TakePart – 4 December 2014:
Cycling Is Creating More Jobs in Europe Than Automakers Are in the U.S.
A new study finds that getting on a bike doesn’t just cut carbon emissions — it boosts the economy.