fbpx

Newsletter, January 2022

January updates from GreenStep Sustainable Tourism

It’s been almost two years of uncertainty and hardship as business leaders have faced the burdens and harsh realities of the pandemic. Despite what feels like a never-ending cycle of closures, restrictions and guidelines, it’s important to celebrate our past victories and set new goals and look to each other for inspiration throughout the coming months.

With that in mind, here are 5 green goals every business owner should make to start the new year off on the right foot that are SMART – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound!

[Continue reading on our blog]

GREENSTEP SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IS HIRING!

We are excited to be hiring for a Sustainability Assessor and Certification Manager!

We are growing quickly and seeking experienced professionals with a passion for sustainability and the environment. We take pride in being a changemaker on the world around us, and are looking for leaders with a growth-mindset and ready-to-learn attitude!

Read the job description and apply here: Sustainability Assessor and Certification Manager.

 

 

GREENSTEP PARTNERS WITH UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND TO OFFER EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY TO SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STUDENTS

GreenStep has recently begun working in collaboration with UPEI instructor, Dee Enright, to deliver a hands-on learning experience by offering students the opportunity to observe and participate in the formal Sustainable Tourism Certification process of five Canadian tourism businesses.

The 4th year course, Sustainable Tourism Development, looks at the critical components of a sustainable tourism industry. Students are introduced to the management practices, as well as economic, social, cultural and environmental components of sustainability, and how they can be demonstrated and integrated into a business’ day to day operation. A major focus will be on challenges and impacts associated with sustainable tourism development, as well as the strategies for maximizing benefits and minimizing adverse effects.

Through the Sustainable Tourism Certification program, students will be invited to observe a one-on-one assessment with a tourism business and GreenStep advisor, where they will be introduced to the formally recognized Global Sustainable Tourism Council assessment criteria created by GreenStep, which evaluates the performance of a business across the four main categories of sustainability. Following the assessment review, the students will assist the business owners in providing the necessary evidence to support their results. Following the delivery of a two year custom action plan by the GreenStep advisor, students will be asked to create an implementation plan and a marketing strategy for their assigned business.

“GreenStep is thrilled to be supporting this learning initiative in partnership with UPEI, as it offers both a unique opportunity for the students to see first hand how sustainable tourism practices are integrated into a real life business, while also offering the participating business’ the opportunity to complete the Certification process and be provided with tangible action and implementation plans to help them in achieving their sustainability goals.” – Jenn Burling, Director of Sustainable Tourism, GreenStep Solutions

“Being able to participate in the process that a tourism operator goes through in real time is invaluable. It will give students a much better understanding of the operational requirements, benefits and challenges of working towards sustainability and certification. GreenStep’s work aligns perfectly with the course which focuses on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Between the GreenStep team and the five operators, 33 students from nine countries will get hands-on exposure and make meaningful connections with leaders from across the Canadian tourism sector.” – Dee Enright, Sessional Instructor, UPEI

We would like to thank the following businesses for their participation in this inaugural project and wish them luck on this next step of their sustainability journey.

Participating Businesses

Nature Space Resort, Morell PEI – www.naturespaceresort.com
Gros Morne Inn, Shoal Brook, Nfld – www.grosmorneinn.com
Kings Playhouse, Georgetown, PEI – www.kingsplayhouse.com
Nahanni River Adventures & Canadian River Expeditions, Whitehorse, YK – www.nahanni.com
Four Nature Resort, Chelmsford, NB – www.natureresort.ca

GREENSTEP CARBON FOOTPRINT WEBINAR

GreenStep hosted a webinar on January 24th, 2022 on “Carbon Footprint Measurement, Reduction and Offsetting 101”. If you would like to watch the free recording to learn more about this topic, please visit the past events section of our website.

We will be continuing our webinar series into the coming months – details to be announced shortly on our events page.


BC INVASIVE-WISE TOURISM PROGRAM

The Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) is currently accepting partners for the second intake of its Invasive-Wise Tourism program, developed by an advisory team of invasive species experts and tourism industry professionals to help protect the province’s rich biodiversity and landscapes. The Invasive-Wise Tourism program involves recognition, support from ISCBC, and a complimentary eLearning course developed for the tourism industry to help increase staff awareness of invasive species and to identify practical steps to prevent their spread. Click the button below for more information.

[Learn More]

THE GANDHIANA JONES PROJECT

In this pandemic world, many people are reconsidering their values and seeking a stronger sense of meaning and purpose in both life and work.

Angela Nagy, CEO and founder of GreenStep Solutions, was recently featured in The Gandhiana Jones Project, a book where Canadian sustainability professor Joe Kelly leads readers on a journey to discover and implement the four principles to living a life of change. We highly recommend the read for any individuals needing a well-deserved pick-me-up to get back to that life of meaning, passion, and adventure!

Joe Kelly teaches university courses and corporate workshops on thinking and acting like a change-maker. He has written for media and academic journals, and has provided consulting and advisory services to businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations for 20 years. The Gandhiana Jones Project is his first book.

[Access Here]

 

 

UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
CONFERENCES

2022 National Indigenous Tourism Conference
Hosted by: Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Where: Tsuut’ina Nation Lands, Calgary, AB
Dates: March 8 – 10, 2022

ITAC is proud to be hosting the 2022 National Indigenous Tourism Conference (NITC) at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino on Tsuut’ina Nations lands in Calgary, Alberta, with the theme “Building Back Better.” The conference will reunite operators, funding partners, and industry supporters in the facilitation of a meaningful and focused discussion on the rebuilding of the Indigenous tourism sector from the impacts of the pandemic.

BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
Hosted by: Tourism Industry Association of BC and the BC Hotel Association
Where: Richmond, BC
Dates: March 9 – 11, 2022

The Tourism Industry Association of BC and the BC Hotel Association are excited to bring you the second-annual BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference. The 2022 conference will take place in Richmond, BC. Early-bird registration is now open.

IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference
Hosted by: Destination Greater Victoria
Where: Victoria, BC
Dates: May 8 – May 11, 2022

The annual IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference is a collaborative national dialogue on innovation, bringing together policy-builders, educators, and all those who believe the positive and sustainable growth of tourism in Canada is a key economic driver.

Key topics of discussion will include Indigenous reconciliation, biodiversity preservation, carbon mitigation, and sustainable food and agriculture, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on tourism’s recovery. Join the conservation and hear how creative and innovative experts in the business, including GreenStep CEO Angela Nagy, are addressing the new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors.

WEBINARS

Building Inclusive Tourism: Monthly Series
Hosted by: Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
Where: Online
Dates: Jan 12th – April 13th, 2022 (Ongoing)

TIAO is hosting monthly lunch-and-learn webinars until April to help build diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the tourism industry. The sessions are unique and open to all learners to help build inclusive tourism for all.

Tourism’s Big Shift
Hosted by: Destination Canada
Where: Online
Dates: Feb 1, 2022 (English), Feb 2, 2022 (French)

Destination Canada is hosting an upcoming webinar to discuss key trends over the next three years that will have the greatest impact on small and medium-sized tourism businesses. The conversation will draw from findings in Destination Canada’s recent report, Tourism’s Big ShiftKey Trends Shaping the Future of Canada’s Tourism Industry.

Small Business BC Webinars
Hosted by: Destination British Columbia
Where: Online
Dates: Feb 2 – March 14, 2022 (Ongoing)

Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to provide free access to Small Business BC’s business education webinars! These informational sessions are open to all tourism businesses and stakeholders, to help aid recovery from the pandemic and mitigate ongoing impacts.

Interested in learning more about how GreenStep Sustainable Tourism can help your tourism business or destination? Feel free to reach out at any time to chat, or schedule a free consult today: 1-800-469-7830 or [email protected].