The travel industry’s sustainability actions

• One of only a few US destinations that participates in the Global Destination Sustainability-Index, an annual benchmarking assessment that encourages transparency and collaboration in sustainable strategy development.
• Published a D.C. sustainability guide with user-friendly directory to easily find sustainable dining and meetings and convention suppliers.

• Partners with Trees4Travel to plant one tree per actualized room night booked through the DMO meeting incentive. The trees will help with the creation of future forests, restoring eco-systems, biodiversity and supporting local communities, plus an investment is made into a United Nations renewable energy carbon credit which will help to compensate for a portion of the meeting organizations’ carbon emissions.

• Offers a variety of sustainability focused guides for visitors, including a Sustainable Scottsdale itinerary, which helps travelers tread lightly and trim their carbon footprint, voluntourism opportunities, an eco-friendly hiking guide, and an article focused on vegan eats in Scottsdale.

• Acquired the Las Vegas’ Monorail, which transports millions of passengers per year using 100% electric energy and producing zero emissions.

• Initiated the Love Your City Initiative to engage the community with sustainability initiatives such as the Zero Waste challenge, which promotes recycling, composting and eliminating plastics across local businesses. 
• Partnered with LifeCity and local business leaders to reduce waste, including through promoting recycling, waste diversion, locally sourced goods, energy conservation and more.
• Partners with the Audubon Nature Institute on a sustainable seafood guide. 

• Provides sustainability content for meeting planners at business.nycgo.com/meeting-planners.
• Partners with The Nest Summit, WTTC and The Climate Group on initiatives to educate its membership and the public during Climate Week NYC.
• Launched the “Proudly Sustainable” media campaign during WorldPride in partnership with six Broadway shows to educate the event’s 5M visitors on making sustainable choices during their visit.

• Offers a Sustainable Travel Guide to help travelers find sustainable options to stay, eat, taste wines, tour, and shop.
• Promotes visitor experiences at Sonoma County’s 425 certified-sustainable wineries. Wineries are certified through a rigorous review of their soil, water, and energy management, and are expected to preserve land for natural habitats.

• Provides visitors with eco-conscious ways to explore Michigan. Examples include LEED-certified hotels and attractions and ways that travelers can explore popular destinations without cars.
• Supports Michigan Cares For Tourism, an all-volunteer group which helps restore Michigan’s historic, cultural and natural attractions.

• Created Oregon Electric Byways initiative, which maps road trips along EV charging networks.

• Virginia Tourism Corporation helps travelers plan eco-friendly trips to Virginia with their Sustainable Travel landing page, which highlights green travel options and trip planning ideas across the state.
• Virginia Green is a statewide program in partnership with Virginia Tourism and 18 additional partner organizations. The Virginia Green program administers the Virginia Green Travel Certification Program, which recognizes tourism businesses for their environmental commitments. More than 1200 Virginia businesses have achieved this certification, and they are searchable as options for planning Sustainable Vacations in Virginia.
• The Commonwealth of Virginia is a signatory participant of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative of Eastern States in the U.S. to cap and reduce CO2 emissions for the power sector. Additionally, the Virginia Clean Economy Act created the state’s Clean Energy Standard with commitments to switch the entire electric grid to 100% clean energy by 2050 and it supports opportunities for expanded solar for individuals, churches, businesses, etc. Fleet managers of many state and local governments and various transportation partners are working in cooperation with Virginia Clean Cities and the Virginia Department of Energy to dramatically increase support for EV charging infrastructure.
• VDEQ provides technical assistance to the industry, develops guidance on green practices and innovative techniques, and oversees the Virginia Green Certification program. The program includes requirements for recycling and waste reduction and measures to conserve water and energy and reports progress. Additionally, the program is engaged in efforts to reduce single-use plastics, such as bags and water bottles, and helping expand partner efforts to reduce food waste and implement compost collection programs.
• Virginia State Parks is the newest core marketing partner of the Virginia Green Travel Alliance, working to certify all its 43 parks statewide and co-brand with the Virginia Green program. Additionally, many organizations are working to preserve native species, habitats, farmland, and natural attractions in Virginia, and are supported by state agencies in the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources.
• Virginia Green offers green products & services through the Virginia Green Suppliers Network for Virginia’s Hospitality Industry and it encourages all of its partners to commit to purchasing responsibly.

• Launched a Sustainability Resource Center with resources for journalists, influencers and trade professionals aimed at promoting responsible, sustainable travel. 

The Colorado Convention Center (CCC) is LEED-certified and has a stated goal to ensure that every event it hosts sustainable. The CCC believes in using certifications to guide it’s implementation of sustainable practices throughout its operations. With robust Voluntourism and Green Vendor directories, the city of Denver has positioned itself as a highly attractive destination for those looking to ensure their meeting is sustainable.

• Provides a comprehensive guide to “voluntourism” across the state, allowing visitors to participate in environmental initiatives. Examples include participating in planting native plants and helping rehabilitate marine life.

• Partners with the Leave No Trace organization to promote responsible stewardship of the outdoors at Lake Charles’ 2nd largest attraction, the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road.

• Promotes sustainable tourism by offering visitors and groups with a variety of ways to volunteer while visiting Greater Fort Lauderdale.
• Protects marine life through its sea turtle conservation program.
• Partners with the Florida Green Lodging Program to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources.

• Conducts training workshops with Leave No Trace for partners across the state. Visit North Carolina’s Outdoor NC Trip Tips help visitors explore lesser-known areas of the state to reduce impact on the natural environments.

• Working with a state golf trade group to encourage better water usage.
• The Phoenix Convention Center holds itself to the highest standard of sustainability through a robust compost system, smart watering program and chairs made from recycled materials.

• VistLEX volunteers and donates money to several local non-profits, including Reforest the Bluegrass, Trees Lexington, America in Bloom, and Keep Lexington Beautiful. 
• The Lex For Good Sustainability Certification Program certifies industry partners based on energy, water quality and conservation, waste reduction, transportation and urban forestry metrics.