The bridge across L’Areuse in Switzerland is one many examples. The bridge across the river is for pedestrians. It is has a bended structure vertically and horizontally to make it fit into the natural environment, and at the same time provide experience. The material light and fitted to the forest, and yet is sits as a sculpture in the landscape. Design is by GeninascaDelefortrie SA Architectes FAS SIA, Neuchâtel

 Other examples on walkscapes in www.stedettaeller.dk

Theory on walkscapes: Careri, F. (2002). Walkscapes. Walking as an aestetic practice. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.

The video claims that more than 60 million people worldwide have now heard of Obermutten. Traffic to the Graubünden tourism website is up 250 percent. And the campaign cost of 10,000 Swiss francs reportedly brought in earned media of some 2.4 million francs. The question, of course, is whether people will actually visit the place. With their faces peering out from the town’s walls, in some ways they already have.

Abstract:

How much of tourism's roots exist in practice today?

Considering that the roots of tourism are founded in the wonder of natural beauty (Löfgren, 1999), it is a strange paradox of modern tourism that sees its continued growth undermine its very essence. A shift towards a more sustainable tourism industry is important not only for environmental reasons but also to maintain the industry itself. However, there is clearly an ideological conflict creating such a paradox, which is supported by research suggesting that tourists are frequently confused by sustainable tourism messages (Mair, 2010) and often grade sustainable options low on their vacationing agenda (Damsholt, 2011). Using a cultural analytical perspective, this research aims to investigate the cultural foundations which have formed this ‘ideological conflict’ resulting in sustainable tourism being maintained as a ‘niche’ market rather than an accepted and preferred future. Most sustainable tourism research has focused on the tourism markets most commonly associated with sustainable tourism such as eco tourism in rural areas often in developing nations; however the current study has focused on urban sustainable tourism with fieldwork being carried out in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In a review of the scope of the body of literature on sustainable tourism, Backman and Morais (2001) concluded that there was an abundance of studies concerning the economic impact of tourism utilising input-output models and ecologically focused studies investigating environmental impact. A significantly smaller proportion focused on the cultural composition of tourism and how a deeper understanding can be used in future sustainable tourism developments. The main purpose of this research is to provide a better understanding of how tourists relate to notions of urban sustainable tourism and identify specific areas of the city tourist experience which will be particularly important for integrating future sustainable tourism initiatives.

Since the aim of the current research is to investigate how tourists relate to the concept of sustainable tourism, the methods chosen reflect the need to go beyond the surface of actions and behaviours: medium-length, semi-structured, open-ended, qualitative interviews (Richards, 2010) with questions comprised of three phases. The first phase involved preliminary questions; general questions about the respondents were asked, including country of origin, age, etc. along with specific inquiries about their current holiday in Copenhagen. The next phase concerned holiday experience and leisure time. This section was designed to give a broader insight into how the tourists conceived of holidays and leisure in general, however, the tourists were always asked to back up their feelings in respect to actual events and experiences. Questions on responsibility and sustainability followed, inquiring about the sustainable practices of the tourists when they are at home and when they are on holiday. Tourists were asked to elaborate on what they perceived as sustainable practices and how this changed when on holiday. Lastly, a series of final questions were asked which were potentially more sensitive in nature to those preceding them.

A reasonably diverse group of 18 respondents were interviewed. Two families, with children were included, as well as one lone traveller, with the rest of the participants couples. The average age of the respondents was 31. 7 nationalities in total were covered and occupations varied from high-skilled professionals, to wage-earners and also students. The gender composition was roughly even with 7 male and 11 female. The empirical data gathered from tourists was complimented with valuable insights gained from numerous meetings and interviews with several key tourism and hospitality stake holders within the city.

Several key themes emerged: firstly, a general segregation between holiday and everyday life was apparent across a number of topics discussed (Adorno, 1991). Secondly, a differentiation between different ‘types’ of holiday was observed and interestingly tourists explained behavioural differences between the different types identified. Thirdly, was the aspect of the flâneur. Unsurprisingly, none of the tourists actually mentioned the word flâneur or flânerie when discussing urban tourism but their attitudes were strikingly similar to those of other accounts of the concept. The forth theme was concerning authenticity and aspects of post-tourism. Authenticity as an academic concept is highly contested with its importance and application debated across and within disciplines. However, tourists were unanimous in their desire to seek out ‘real’ qualities of the places they were visiting. The fifth and final theme is food. Discussions about food were not actually planned; however the topic consistently arose amongst almost all respondents in most areas of discussion.

Historical accounts of the flâneur (White, 2001) show noticeable differences between how such a mode of being has changed over time. It is obvious that in the 19^th century, flânerie was something of a fashion and an urban art form; an idea that enthralled a particular section of society. Made famous by ‘dandies’, such as Baudelaire, it involved gregarious if defiant encounters with passer-bys, a social ritual of the bourgeois upper class (Hanssen, 2006: 3). Nowadays, the practice of flânerie appears to be much more widely accepted to such an extent that this particular way of experiencing a city is now the norm. One could argue that the fact that the word is no longer used in general discourse (especially within English speaking nations) actually reinforces the idea that it is no longer a distinctive term rather something we adhere to without contemplation.  Unlike their romantic counterparts, modern tourists are much less aware of the practice of flânerieas a distinct form if urban being; it is ingrained into the concept if the urban tourism. This is

City Segway tours: the ultimate post-flâneur?

not to say that all tourists act in this way. An interesting feature of the sentiments collected from the respondents indicates that tourists tend to utilise the concept of the flâneur to mould their experiences around it, rather than simply recreating its ideals. There are two main reasons why this is the case. Firstly, there are numerous practical considerations that need to be negotiated when going on holiday. Secondly, the specific needs and desires of individual tourists may be in conflict with flânerie, however tourists seem to ground themselves onto the concept and activities are then built around the premise that this is how one should act. Group walking tours, tourists jogging tours and even group segway tours show how tourists have adapted aspects of the original flâneur. The original flâneur was an a mode of existential being, searching for the ‘real’ within the ‘fake’ (White, 2001) so the manner in which this classical model has been altered or modernised shows that authentic experiences are not as clear cut as previous research tends to suggest.

The findings show that tourists make a clear distinction between the realms of ‘home’ and ‘holiday’, with the ‘home’ encompassing all other terrestrial zones, such as work. A clear distinction is made between the behaviours and practices between these two realms and sustainability is one of them. Sustainability is closely linked to notions of responsibility, which was particularly apparent in discussions of sustainable (organic) food. Holidays normally carry with them a notion of escaping responsibility, as such sustainability issues on holiday seem to conflict with this paradigm. It should also be noted that tourists were keen to point out that several types of holiday exist and that each brings with it a specific set of behaviours and attitudes. In short, the tourists envisioned sustainability at home as obligatory, whereas sustainability on holiday was compounded by aspects of escapism, freedom, indulgence and de-regulation.

This research suggests that the flâneur remains a central figure in the way tourists envision urban tourism, and there are several aspects of the flâneur that have both positive and negative connotations for the compatibility of sustainability and tourism in cities. Most importantly, the flâneur is interested in ‘authentic’ experiences. One manner in which sustainable tourism can build on this aspect is by providing locally sourced, organic food to tourists and perpetuating the ‘narrative’ of local food as a sustainable marker. Similarly, if the service provider can successfully communicate the authenticity of a genuine, sustainable, traditional and iconic practice, tourists will be receptive.

References:

Adorno, Theodor (1991) The Culture Industry: Selected Essays on Mass Culture. London: Routledge

Backman, K; Morais, D. (2001) ‘Methodological approaches used in the literature’ in D. B. Weaver (ed) The Encyclopaedia of Ecotourism. Wallingford: CABI Publishing. p.597-609

Damsholt, Tine; Ren, Carina (2011) Invisible Green.

Hanssen, Beatrice (2006) Walter Benjamin and the Arcades Project. London: Continuum International Publishing

Löfgren, Orvar (1999) On Holiday: a History of Vacationing. California: University of California Press

Mair, Judith (2010) ‘Exploring Air Travellers’ Voluntary Carbon-Offsetting Behaviour’ in Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 19(2), p.215-230

Richards, Gregg; Munsters, Will (eds) (2010) Cultural Research Methods. Oxford: CABI

White, Edmund (2001) The Flâneur. London: Bloomsbury

About the Author

Neal Storan is a classically trained anthropologist but recent work has focused on more applied work, generally labelled cultural analysis in today’s research circles. His academic and professional interests include research into sustainability in everyday life and the cultural origins of social phenomena. Apart from his work in ethnographic consultancy, Neal also works as an editor, proof reader and translator of Danish texts into British English for Danish based company Culturebites.

This current paper has been produced in accordance to the completion of a Master’s in Applied Cultural Analysis at the University of Copenhagen. Cultural analysis is an ethnographic approach to solving cultural problems found in all aspects of life. Cultural analysis research is often carried out in the commercial sector understanding the cultural dimensions of consumer behaviour, but also in the public sector, in policy research, for NGOs and occasionally within advocacy projects.

If you have any queries about the research or author or would like to request the full paper, email Neal at nealstoran@hotmail.co.uk, or (+44)7791 308614

The case is Queenstown, New Zealand, and Interlake, Switzerland. Bungee jumping is supposedly invented in New Zealand in the 1980’ties. It was brought to Europe much later, by entrepreneurs who worked in the business, and came back to Europe with the invention, first to be implemented in Interlaken. Zorbing – another invention – also travelled over the continents as part of the adventure tourism mobility, that is an ingredient in youth lifestyle.

Blumberg describes the emergence of a full-time, year-round professional labour market that link Queenstown and Interlaken together. The staff – skiing, rafting, jumping, climbing instructers –  can follow the seasons across the hemispheres. The migration of innovations go with this highly flexibility labour market and community of professionals.

Greeland Hotel Actic is offering its guest a special treat: “Would you like accept the challenge of staying in an igloo on the very edge of the Ice Fjord? Right in the front row overlooking the beautiful Arctic nature. From May to October it is possible to stay overnight in one our five unique two-person igloo cabins that are located at the end of a wooden bridge just a short walk from the hotel. Look out across the cliffs, the Disko Bay and watch the colossal icebergs as they drift by. The igloo cabins are inspired by the classic eskimo igloo in shape and design but instead of being made of ice they have an aluminium frame so that when you step inside you are greeted by comfortable and modern facilities like any other hotel room – but the atmosphere is totally different.”

Hotel Kakslakuttanen estbablishes every winter snow igloos. They are part of a whole holiday village of snow, a popular place for weddings and other event. Other  igloos provided byt this hotel are built of glass, and they  are luxurious with own bath, and the temperature is comfortable.

More experiences in Alta Norway where the decor is very well-considered to fit the environment.

 The Igloo Dorfs provide intertesting facilities for skier in the Swiss Alps. the contain examples of artistic snow work.

The Roulotte Retreat has received support from public innovation funds, and the proprietor explains:

“We have found the Tourism Innovation Fund to be so supportive, as well as providing funding to enable us to work with professional companies to how case Roulotte Retreat through website design, recognition, illustration and in other ways that add to our wow factor”.

Picture from the homepage:

The first Modern Toilet Restaurant opened in 2004 in Taipei. It is claimed to be inspired by a cartoon that featured a toilet drawing on a menu. It has been a success with now 11 more branches around Taiwan and one in Mongkok, Hong Kong.

 In Modern Toilet restaurant customers sit at glass tabletops with a sink or bathtub base. In some cases, the tables are next to, or inside, showers. There are rolls of toilet paper on the tables in place of napkins. Drinks are served in mini urinals instead of glasses. Meals are served in bowls—mini toilet bowls. The atmosphere is with that’s a lot more fun.

In Italy, villages and remote areas are being depopulated these years. Young people go to the cities ot seek education and jobs. Left behind is the older part of the population – and a surplus of property. Friuli Venezia Giulia, a hilly and beautiful region in Italy’s northeast,  has a solution to this: The scattered hotel – albergo diffuso.

Ther are plenty of accommodation available in the small villages. They are run by an organisation that ensures the management and marketing.

“Local communes take 10-year leases on the properties, renovate them, rent them out to tourists, and hand them back to the owners at the end of the term. Everyone gains: the villages can put up more tourists; visitors can enjoy hotel-standard comforts at a budget price, and the owners have their second homes done up free of charge.”, as it is stated in an article in the Independent.

The region collaborates with similar areas in Slovenia and Austria in order to ensure a more holitistic exaperience for the visitor.

The business concept is the follwoing: We’ve done all of the hard work for you. At Chien Bleu, we know first-hand that dog-friendly is often anything but. Personally putting countless places to the test, we’ve sought out those that are truly worthy of the title. Being truly welcoming to dogs is not enough. With exceedingly high standards, the service and surroundings must also be of the highest quality to be included in our portfolio”.

Luxury is a key word – for the traveler as well as for the dog. “Our extensive knowledge and insight. Working only with the best, we also understand that the best has many guises and means many different things to many different people. Having personally stayed at each hotel, inn or cottage we work with and having immense attention for detail, we are able to find for you the place that offers the magic and luxury that delights you most.”

Chien Blue attemps to build personal customer relations, and finds it important for the enjoyment and for the thriving of the business. This is how the entrepreneur sees it: “Personal service. At Chien Bleu, we work with each and every client on an individual basis, listening to understand what defines your perfect trip and then not stopping until we’ve found a place which fits your definition. Whether related to the comfort of your pup or ensuring your complete contentment and relaxation, we consider no request to be too big or too small.”

The Smile Land game will allow people around the world to play it on Facebook, which has member users more than 700 million. It also has mini games on many devices to attract a wider group of target tourists. The game’s scores and collectibles will be sent to the main Smile Land game on Facebook of each player. The game has five mini games including;

The first game, Tuk Tuk Racing, on Tuk Tuk driver. Game players will have to drive Tuk Tuk to the final place as fast as possible and they will have to be very careful about things that will block their ways. There are special helpers helping the players reach the final quicker.

The second game, Somtam Sukjai, for iPad users. The Thai cooking game will allow iPad users to download the game application from the iPad store. Players will find and select food ingredients to match those showed on each menu. Thai menus will be gradually showed and players will select right food ingredients in the limited time. At the present, tourists can now play the two mini games of Tuk Tuk Racing and Somtam Sukjai.

The other three mini games— Muay Thai for iPhone users, Siam Tempo for Andriod-based smart phones and Siam Fun Fair for Nokia smart phones, are available for game players in September 2011.

TAT expects that the Smile Land game will become a hit among international tourists and build good understanding and promote the Thai tourism industry among a target group of no less than 1 billion tourists. The game will also help grow a database of international tourists at least two times from 500,000 currently to 1 million tourists by the end of 2011. At the same time, the game will encourage a more frequent access to social networking and mobile application by TAT.

The launching of Smile Land social networking game is considered as an important strategy to move forward digital marketing by TAT to a another step. It is expected that the game will build attractiveness for Thai tourism in a new way of virtual travelling experience. Game players can create and dress up their Avatar themselves before finding all collectibles to meet a mission of more than 200 tourist places in the game. Apart from fun, players will have experiences and awareness toward the value of Thai tourism. The game will attract 2 billion Internet users around the world and 300 million smart phone users.

All of this effort is an important step of TAT in boosting its organization to be truly digitalized to respond to the behavior and media trend of tourists during the change of technology. It will enhance the reputation of Thai tourism and create new travelling experience for tourists and this will eventually draw more tourists to visit Thailand in the future.

The social element is important in skiing, and the system supports this: “Haven’t found the perfect ski buddy yet? Get in contact via your cell phone with other skiers or snowboarders and ride down the slopes together – it’s simply more fun.” The skiers can search for mates for specific activities both at the slopes or at after ski socialising.

More about ITC developments in the Dolomites: Fuchs, M. & Höpken, W. (2011). E-Business horizons in the tourism industry. In Sidali, K.L. et al (eds). Food, agri-culture and tourism. Heidelberg: Springer, pp 140-160.

The goal of travel2change is to capitalize on the potential of travel to make a positive difference in the lives of travelers and local communities alike and to create projects that will have an impact and foster sustainable change. While the organization is rooted in Austria, it seeks to make an impact globally. Find out more about us on http://www.travel2change.org/aboutus.php

Our mission is to

… provide a platform for connecting travelers, local communities, and organizations to create change through purposeful traveling
…create awareness about problems in local communities through our idea challenges
…support our community members in developing their ideas into realizable projects and facilitates collaboration between travelers and locals
…enable travels to experience the winning ideas and provides ongoing support
…foster interactions among travelers, local communities, and organizations to create and exchange knowledge

We recently launched an idea challenge that benefits travelers and local communities. We invite travelers, organizations, and local communities alike to submit project ideas around the theme of water and tourism. The best project suggestions will win free trips and support to help implement the idea. The goal is to create impact and sustainable change for local communities. The challenge is open until 10 July 2011.

How can we travel to create a positive impact on the lives of local communities? Inspire with your idea at www.travel2change.org!

If you have any questions about us, please email to: info@travel2change.org

In order to reach out to our global community, you can also find us on:  facebook.com/travel2change  – twitter.com/travel2change

The Scandinavian Turfgrass and Environment Research Foundation has envisaged that the golf courses represent environmental and leisure potentials far beyond the players. In 2011, the organisation published new guidelines for the golf clubs to better align with a need to open up for a multi-functionality.

The guidelines include a number of conceptual innovations, which may be taken on board by the single golf course.

An important issue is biological diversity. Many golf courses could without compromising playing quality integrate flora and fauna diversity; allow water ponds, rough areas, small forests etc. Grass cutting and fertilizing procedures can be changed to support such strategies.

 Leisure diversity implies using the courses for other purposes, for example during the winter season. With an appropriate safety planning, golf courses may contain walking and bicycle trails, picnic areas etc.

 The guidelines include a long list of potential diversification for golf courses, for example:

• Agility for dogs
• Allotment gardens
• Arboreta (collections of trees)
• Archery
• Bee-keeping
• Bird watching
• Boule
• Bowling
• Cinema evenings
• Dancing courses/events – zumba, salsa …
• Dragon flying
• Exhibitions
• Fashion shows
• Fitness training
• Football golf
• Frisbee golf
• Guided tours (nature, culture, archaeology)  
• GPS navigated games
• Gymnastics
• Hiking
• Jogging
• Marathons
• Mini golf
• Model airplane flying
• Model boat sailing
• Mushroom collection
• Orienteering
• Putting competitions
• Riding
• Skiing
• Tobogganing
• Yoga
• Wine tasting

In some regions golf courses are approaching a situation of overcapacity. The measures mentioned here can be seen not only as an attempt to open towards environmental agendas and the needs of other leisure users, but also as a means of financial survival for the clubs. The guidelines emphasise the needs for new collaborative structures and changed attitudes to ensure a success with this endeavour.

 The guidelines refer to some golf courses that have worked with diversification strategies:

• Arendal & Omegn Gofklubb, Norway
• Hässelby Golf, Sweden
• Kjölur Golf, Iceland
• Kristianstad Golf, Sweden
• Københavns Golfklub, Denmark
• Oppegård, Norway
• Smørum Golfcenter, Denmark
• Golfbaan Spaarnwoude, The Netherlands

The tourist attraction National Tourist Routes are scenic roads for exploring Norway’s breathtaking landscapes – comprises 18 selected stretches from north to south. Magnificant mountains, fjords and coastline form the core of the travel experience. The tourists are assisted in the interpretation of the natural phenomena, and the road authorities have carefully worked with the infrastructure to enhance the experience value. Some of the routes lead across nature heritage areas, and in many places it is possible to see dramatic the shifts during the season.

In terms of innovation the Norwegian authorities have included achitecture. Where in many countries, the road infrastructures and the facilities for the travelers are very coincidental and a a matter of private providers’ decresion, the Norwegian strategy is to place a deliberate and massive emphasis on architecture. Bold architecture placed in magnificent natural scenery gives the attraction its special character. Facilities such as viewing platforms, toilet building, sheds, parking areas etc. are included in design which reflect the natural setting of the place.

The national scenic route initiative has website, where all architectural manifestation can be seen. The scenic routes are main attractions, but with the architecture initiative, the “product” has be considerably enhanced, and many visitors come not the least for the architecture.

A documentary report describes the small scale tourism development, for example the Oyster tasting cabin concept: “What we need is to offer true immersion in the authentic maritime world, a complete educational package with boats, cabins and gîtes,” says Hervé Bojon, a fisherman who along with his wife, an oyster farmer, runs an oyster cabin in La Teste de Buch. Oyster cabins are one of the main features and attractions of the Arcachon basin. Each oyster farmer has a cabin in which he stores his equipment, but many are also used for tasting sessions as well as for direct sales. “In-cabin tasting sessions are clearly a good way to promote the product,” says Hervé. “A dozen oysters normally sold for 4.30 euros can make 9.50 euros in the cabin. But this is not enough. We need a more comprehensive approach.” Angelika Hermann and Thierry Beaugendre have already travelled this road. Angelika, an oyster farmer, sells her produce directly at the Toulouse market, but also has a tasting cabin at La Teste. Thierry is an oyster farmer, fisherman and he runs a passenger transport business. Together they have developed a tourist package which combines tasting, education, promotion and awareness: “We welcome groups, not individual tourists,” specifies Angelika. “The tasting session begins with a detailed explanation of oyster farming. This helps people to understand the challenges and the standards of our work. They also hear our message, namely that we must defend traditional oyster farming, which uses oysters born at sea, not in a test tube. The project must ensure that the Arcachon basin remains a breeding site!””

An active partnership has been essential for both the tourism and the food production and for the protective arrangements, according to the report: ”The functioning of the Pays Bassin d’Arcachon – Val de l’Eyre is based on a three-tier system: an operational committee, made up of three elected members representing each inter-municipality; a technical committee, bringing together representatives of the three intercommunal administrations (the Arcachon Basin Mixed Syndicate(SIBA), the Bassin d’Arcachon-Val de l’Eyre Syndicate (SYBARVAL) and the Regional Natural Park of the Landes de Gascogne (PNRLG); and a board, composed of interested parties involved in the implementation of local projects. The Pays principal areas of activity include tourism, culture and urban development. However, it is also carrying out a sustainable development process, through the implementation of local Agenda 21, and a Leader rural development programme, intended to strengthen the links between the coast and the inland areas.”

The learning from this project is that tourism activities are important supplements to food and community initiatives. Hitherto, aquaculture has not been included in tourism initiatives to any substantial extent, but that seems to be changing.

Since 2001 the attraction has added many elements to the range of experiences. In his research article John Blevitt (2004) explains the elements in the communication strategy that has emerged and how the communication is a key issue in the comprehensive innovation of the the project. He concludes: “…Eden is certainly a kaleidoscope of constantly evolving, constantly developing images, voices, stories, performances, smells, emotions, thoughts, transactions and activities. Its own story and core message offers an overall framework for visitor interpretation.” (p 186).  Blevitt addresses the controversies of the development, particularly related to the discussion of agricultural methods: ”….. there are tensions, recognised inconsistencies and apparent contradictions. It can be argued the failure to condemn GM rather than simply acknowledge the unresolved issues is incompatible with its support for sustainable and certainly organic agriculture but in July 2004 the Project announced it would celebrate national organic week by hosting a series of events and activities with the Soil Association. This reinforces the idea of Eden as an enabler, a facilitator, an educator and a forum for discussion. If Eden’s core message articulates a notion of human dependency on plant life then its advocacy of environmental sustainability takes a form that is sometimes both complex and complicated. It is both the medium and the message. Peel off the outer layer and there is a world of contested facts, values and opinions that Eden attempts to influence by becoming a character in the wider story of lifelong learning and sustainability.” (p 186).

Blevitt, J (2004) The Eden Project – making a connection, Museum and Society, 2, 3, 175-189. http://www.le.ac.uk/museumstudies/m&s/Issue%206/Blewitt.pdf

Crafts & Design Center Bornholm – Grønbechs Gård is a private association with only one employee on the payroll.

We are partly subsidized by the municipality and partly commercial. We show art/ craft and design, host conferences and lectures and act as a selling agent for the artist showing with us.

The center is solely run by 40 volunteers, these 60-70 yr old act as the front personnel and are therefore  a rich resource for service innovation. The volunteers come from diverse educational and vocational backgrounds but all share the same pioneer spirit when it comes to the establishment and maintenance of the center.

As the only strategic staff I spend too few hours in front of our customers and rely most of our improvement to input I get from our volunteers. I try to draw one big road for where the center is going in order to direct but still leave space for the volunteers to add their ideas. The volunteers have a solid foundation in the local community which is paramount for the center to broaden.

Most new ideas are therefore concerned with the service and entertainment of local guests. The dialogue with guest in the exhibition rooms are once again inspired by input I get from our volunteers.They know what special needs old and young have regarding print size and placements of information about artist. I try to be very humble in my approach: to listen and act on most of the concepts the front personnel suggest.

Still is a strategy that walks on two feet: planned and emergent, and time with my volunteers staff is always to scarce.

Mai Ørsted, Centerleder Grønbechs Gård

Aarhus by Light from Tobias Ebsen on Vimeo.

The interactive installation is developed in a project called “Digital Urban Living“, which is a collaboration between the city, the university and independent media and entertainment agents. Thus it is an example of creative constrallations that transcend traditional borders and enhance the tourism product.

Grupo PUNTACANA built the first privately owned international airport in the world, as well as a flourishing town where middle-income families and workers live in their own homes and are provided with medical services, a fire department, security, paved roads, water and sewage services, electricity and garbage disposal.

PUNTACANA was also the first resort in the region to construct a water treatment facility. Freshwater used in the resort is treated through the use of anaerobic digestion and settling ponds instead of harsh chemicals. It is then recycled for irrigation of green areas. Potable water is also monitored for quality and safety.
The group built its own industrial laundry facility to handle laundry, not only for its own resort but also for other independent hotels in the area. The machines are powered by heat energy from steam generated in an adjacent electric power plant to conserve electricity. The industrial laundry facility uses that steam in the operation of the drying equipment.

The company employs well over 1,700 people, 99% of whom are of regional Dominican origin, and it invests over US$3,085,000 annually to support their corporate social and environmental responsibility initiatives.

Even before sustainability was a word used in the Travel & Tourism industry, Grupo PUNTACANA made a decision to build an airport that reflected the local culture and had a soft environmental footprint. The international airport, which handles major airlines from all around the world, with up to 250 flights a week, used local stone, wood and thatch as building materials. The group made sure the building was no higher than the surrounding trees, and it opted against air-conditioning (for the tropics, this was a radical decision), choosing instead to use large ceiling fans that it had designed to provide adequate air flow. Trees were left growing through the airport building itself, giving a sense of integration with nature.

To service the airport and its resort, PUNTACANA created a recycling centre which processes 2-3 tons daily of plastic, cardboard, paper, bottles, etc. It also created a highly effective water management system that is overseen by an internal environmental quality control department, geographically distributed to minimise pressure on the aquifer. This modern pumping system controls and helps conserve the amount of water used at the resort.

All water used in the facility is either recycled in the plant operations or treated in the water treatment facility and recycled in irrigation.

PUNTACANA established the first golf course in the Caribbean to use paspalum hybrid grass, which can be irrigated with salt water, further saving ground water resources. This led to a reduction of over a million gallons a year needed for golf course irrigation and led to the adoption of paspalum grass by resorts throughout the Caribbean. To share best practices, PUNTACANA helped to launch the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), and PUNTACANA’s CEO was its first president and remains on its governing board.

The resort has also developed the Partnership for Ecologically Sustainable Coastal Areas. This project is a public-private partnership to protect and restore threatened coral reef ecosystems. The partnership has pioneered eight marine education modules in three schools in the Punta Cana region to teach basic concepts of coastal ecology and conservation. Over 450 local students and 11 teachers have participated in the programme since 2007.

In 2005, as part of its social outreach programmes, Grupo PUNTACANA began working with the nearby Rural Clinic of Verón to improve free healthcare services provided in the region. The clinic is the only primary care facility serving the local community.

To help educate tourists on destination stewardship, guests are encouraged to learn about PUNTACANA’s conservation efforts and sustainable development. The company published a book, A Natural Way of Business: Grupo PUNTACANA, An Unusual Partnership in Sustainable Tourism, which is available to guests in each room. Punta Cana now represents 25% of the foreign exchange for the entire Dominican Republic and has the highest per capita income and lowest level of unemployment in the country.