Abstract

Abstract

Tourism travel can have significant environmental and social impacts. A pilot certification program for the motorcoach industry was conducted between 2009 and 2011 to increase awareness of the motorcoach as a relatively sustainable form of tourism travel and to promote efficiency and environmental sustainability in the industry. To gauge the impact of this effort, surveys of motorcoach company leaders were conducted at the beginning and conclusion of the program. Comparisons of program participants and the general motorcoach population (nonparticipants) indicated few changes in familiarity with and attitudes towards sustainable practices over the course of the program for either group, though nonparticipant company leaders exhibited slightly more negative attitudes for some items. The percentage of participant companies engaging in sustainable practices increased markedly, while relatively small changes in company behaviors occurred among the nonparticipant group. Findings suggest that the pilot certification program may have contributed to increasing environmental sustainability among participants.

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Apr 1st, 12:00 AM

Green Certification for Tourism Travel: Comparing Pilot Program Participants and NonParticipants

Abstract

Tourism travel can have significant environmental and social impacts. A pilot certification program for the motorcoach industry was conducted between 2009 and 2011 to increase awareness of the motorcoach as a relatively sustainable form of tourism travel and to promote efficiency and environmental sustainability in the industry. To gauge the impact of this effort, surveys of motorcoach company leaders were conducted at the beginning and conclusion of the program. Comparisons of program participants and the general motorcoach population (nonparticipants) indicated few changes in familiarity with and attitudes towards sustainable practices over the course of the program for either group, though nonparticipant company leaders exhibited slightly more negative attitudes for some items. The percentage of participant companies engaging in sustainable practices increased markedly, while relatively small changes in company behaviors occurred among the nonparticipant group. Findings suggest that the pilot certification program may have contributed to increasing environmental sustainability among participants.