ECO Tourism makes its way to Oklahoma

[ SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 - OKLAHOMA CITY, OK ] - On Monday the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, in partnership with Oklahoma’s Department of Environmental Quality, will launch Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma, a sustainable travel program. While the program is new, its foundation is distinctly Oklahoma. The program encourages the Oklahoma legacy of conservation, preservation and innovation to translate into modern solutions and action for the state’s tourism industry. No wonder its tagline is: “Think ECO. It’s in our nature.”

Perhaps no other industry talks more about green than tourism. With almost half of the states in the U.S. offering some type of state certification and many more international and national certifications to choose from, the tourism industry remains in the forefront of the green conversation. So why more programs? Why one in Oklahoma? Because while 48 percent of travelers believe that supporting environmentally responsible travel service suppliers is necessary even in an economic downturn, only 29 percent of travelers think it is easy to find out about environmental policies and initiatives of these suppliers. This will make it easier.

The partnership formed between OTRD and DEQ is natural and rather than re-creating the wheel, the two worked together on this program. ECO’s main components are ECO Certification, ECO Travel and ECO Edu. The DEQ created certification guidelines for all tourism sectors. The ECO Certification has seven pilot programs across the state, which represent the many faces of tourism. The OTRD’s Travel Promotions division will match each level of certification with a competitive marketing program that will promote the participating facility.

Plus, tourism is the third-largest industry for this great state. Improving operations and garnering new awareness is a boon not only for participants but also for the state’s pocketbook. Yes, travel means money and a green opportunity for Oklahoma.

ECO Travel will speak to the traveler looking for the best options in green travel. TravelOK.com’s ECO site will focus not only on destinations in Oklahoma, but also sustainable travel tips and trends. ECO Tips, ECO Treks and ECO Spots, ECO Travel’s catchy components, will provide travelers with information, trip ideas and identify ECO-certified destinations.

Oklahoma has more and more organizations and associations that are hard at work to make this state greener. The OTRD’s Travel Promotions department will use its ability to communicate en masse to inform Oklahomans about great opportunities and new ideas from around the state. Beyond communicating information, ECO Edu hopes to form partnerships with educational entities. Making the link between education, sustainability and travel will happen as ECO identifies partners and programs around the state.

And perhaps what really sums up sustainable travel best is the ECO Advocate program. Designed to engage the tourism industry in supporting a cause that addresses an important issue and meets a need, Oklahoma has become the first state to partner with Clean the World. That’s right … first. Way to go, Oklahoma! This nonprofit group takes gently used hotel soaps and shampoos, recycles them and ships them to developing countries. More than 5 million lives are lost to preventable diseases. Clean the World found that the simple act of hand-washing can prevent millions of illnesses and deaths every year. This program saves lives, saves money and saves the environment.

True sustainable tourism integrates the economic, environmental and social impacts that travel has. The ECO program will continue to look for the best opportunities to live up to that definition.

With strong Oklahoma leaders like Secretary of the Environment J.D. Strong, Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director Stephen Thompson, Tourism’s Chairperson Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Executive Director Hardy Watkins, we are in good hands to be successful here.

To learn more about ECO, visit TravelOK.com or follow The Green Buff, ECO’s mascot, at Twitter.com/TheGreenBuff or Facebook.com/TheGreenBuff.

Safe travels!

Jim Roth, a former Oklahoma corporation commissioner, is an attorney with Phillips Murrah P.C. in Oklahoma City, where his practice focuses on clean, green for Oklahoma.