Sustainable Tourism Planning and
Development Laboratory offers cash prize
for Sustainable Tourism efforts
The Sustainable Tourism Planning and
Development Laboratory is currently
accepting applications for the 2014
ARISTA Award, granted for notable
achievement in Sustainable Tourism.
Any non-governmental organizations,
individuals or businesses whose
development projects or programs meet
the criteria for Sustainable Tourism are
eligible to apply. The ARISTA began as
an acknowledgement for Sustainable
Tourism in Rhode Island and has been
extended to include projects from New
England elsewhere in the US.
Past winners of the ARISTA Award
include:
-
Blackstone River Theatre
-
Mars,
Inc.
-
Tourism
Cares
-
Alex
and Ani
-
Robert
Burke, The Independence Trail
-
Kip
Bergstrom, CT Department of Economic &
Community Development
According to Dr. Robert Billington,
Executive Director of the Sustainable
Tourism Laboratory, "The ARISTA is
presented to organizations that regard
as vital the protection and appropriate
economic uses of the natural and human
environment."
The purpose of this prize is "to
encourage the use of sustainable
principles in tourism development," says
Billington. “It is a reminder that
sustainable tourism is, first and
foremost, about benefiting residents and
resources within the applicant’s sphere
of operation."
The Sustainable Tourism Planning and
Development Laboratory, established in
2005, is certified in Tourism Governance
under the United Nations World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO.org) as a program of
the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
(BVTC). The BVTC, established in 1985,
is recognized worldwide in Destination
Development by the World Travel and
Tourism Council (WTTC.org).
The mission of the Sustainable Tourism
Lab is to help any community intent on
doing so, to develop tourism in a
sustainable way. Using the principles of
Civic Tourism, Geotourism and
Sustainable Tourism, the Lab works to
share its knowledge and expertise with
other tourism communities.
To nominate or apply for the ARISTA: use
our online form
or contact James Toomey at the
information below.
Or write to:
Blackstone Valley Visitor Center
175 Main Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Or call the Sustainable Lab at
800-454-2882