Smile: You are the key to conserving our environment and sustaining tourism.

After hours of searching the net, books, newspaper articles and a video in an attempt to rearching Eco-tourism and sustainable tourism we found these 10 commandments to be very helpful in finding ways to help our tourism industry. We created some posters to help reinforce these ideals. They are from the Am. Society of Travel Agents web site, but apply to all three of our areas.

We did some checking and seem to agree with Global Development Research Centre's definitions.

Tourism the commercial organization and operation of holidays, festivals and visits to places of interest.

Sustainable tourism in its purest sense, is an industry which attempts to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income, employment, and the conservation of local ecosystems. It is responsible tourism which is both ecologically and culturally sensitive.

Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on our vulnerable planet. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions.

We've been doing some water sampling too and found some interesting information. Check it out.

1. Respect the frailty of the earth. Unless we are willing to help in its preservation, unique and beautiful destinations like Lake Erie, Glow Worm Cave, and the forests of West Virginia may not be here for future generations to enjoy.

2. Leave only footprints. Take only photographs. No graffiti! No litter! Do not take away souvenirs from historical sites and natural areas.

3. To make our travels more meaningful, we educated ourselves about the geography, customs, manners and cultures of West Virginia, North Island, New Zealand and Lake Erie, in southern Ontario, Canada. Take time to listen to the people. Encourage local conservation efforts, like water conservation.

4. Respect the privacy and dignity of all our visitors and of our towns' people. Inquire before photographing people.

5. Do not buy products made from endangered plants or animals, such as tortoise shell, animal skins, and eagle feathers. Many products cannot be imported or exported.

6. Always follow designated trails while hiking in our mountains and along rivers. Be kind to animals, plants and their natural habitats.

7. Learn about and support conservation-oriented programs and organizations working to preserve the environment. Like the Long Point Conservation Authority.

8. Whenever possible, walk or use environmentally-sound methods of transportation. Encourage drivers of public vehicles to stop engines when parked. Touring Dover is the Dover Rover. It's free, so use it.

9. Patronize those (hotels, airlines, resorts, cruise lines, tour operators and suppliers) who advance energy and environmental conservation; water and air quality; recycling; safe management of waste and toxic materials; noise abatement, community involvement; and which provide experienced, well-trained staff dedicated to strong principles of conservation.

10. Encourage organizations and people to adopt strict environmental standards. Use a lot of common sense when visiting our special sties and ecosystems. Keep our waters clean !

What a world we would have if we followed these commandments. Check out Dalton's world.

return to our brainstorming.

return to our sustainable tour