This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19th-21st. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the

ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.

Learn more about the ESTC: http://www.ecotourismconference.org ESTC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESTC_Tourism

ESTC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESTC.Tourism

The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.org email info@ecotourism.org | tel +1 202 506 5033

The Ontario Ecotourism Society (t.o.e.s)

www.toes.ca•a Not-for-profit organization incorporated since 2006 • led by a volunteer board of directors with occasional project based staff• a network of people dedicated to supporting ecotourism and increasing the sustainability of all tourism in the province of Ontario, Canada • supporting membership includes ecotourism operators, other not for profit organizations with complementary mandates, educational institutions, concerned public and visitors of Ontario

Ontario

• Land : 917,741 square km‘s• Freshwater :158, 654 square km‘s, includes Great Lakes and Niagra

Falls ~ greatest concentration in the world ~ liquid medicine for the soul !

• over 270 Provincial Parks, six National Parks, including an underwater marine park, national historic sites and hundreds of conservations areas

• 5 UNESCO Biospheres

Population: 13,210,667 38.7 % of Canada

Our Mission

• To provide support and promotion for the sustainable use of our natural and cultural tourism resources through education and responsible marketing of ecotourism in Ontario.

Our Objectives

• To promote, support and encourage Ontario Ecotourism.

• To protect all natural resources for future generations.

• To educate the industry and consumers about sustainable tourism practices across Ontario.

• To preserve cultural integrity.

Our definition of ecotourism:

Ecologically sustainable and socially responsible nature and culture based tourism.

T.O.E.S. Revenue2008 2009 2010

Membership Dues 900 2525 1362

Donations 230 622 5000

Sales / Project Partnerships

250 650 1200

Grants 14230 15945

Corporate Sponsors 1000 300

Total: $16, 610 $ 20, 042 $ 7, 562

Responsible Supplier’s Guidefor travel and tourism in Ontario

Goal• to create a networking tool linking responsible suppliers and

service providers, with the growing ecotourism industry of the province.

Purpose• to improve connections between regional green industries

with tourism members interested in increasing the sustainability of their businesses.

• requested from our membership• to raise awareness of green technologies and products

available regionally

Responsible Supplier’s Guidefor travel and tourism in Ontario

Target ecotourism a operators and professionals in Ontario as well as ‘mainstream’ tourism businesses and

members with some relevance to ecotourism principles in their business practices. the broader 'green' community, travelers, students and environmentally focused groups/individuals

within Ontario.

Approaches were made to small, medium and large sized companies offering a variety ofproducts and services which meet at least 80% of our sustainability requirements. The followingcategories were used:

• Food and Beverage Service and Supply• Cleaning & Bath/Spa Products and Maintenance• Apparel and Promotional Gifts• Landscape, Garden and Floristry Service and Supply• Energy Technology and Sustainable Building• Transportation & Courier Services• Printing, Publishing & Marketing• Indoor Decor, Furnishings, Linen Service and Supply• Cookware, Serving Ware and Event Supply• Outdoor and Recreation Equipment Supply

Responsible Supplier’s Guidefor travel and tourism in Ontario

Benefits to Suppliers• reaching greater and diversified market• t.o.e.s. recommendation• Educational Opportunities through article development and innovative ads• Opportunity to become involved in, to support advocacy for sustainable tourism industry, for t.o.e.s.

objectives• advancement of green industry knowledge and awareness

Benefits to TOES Members• Greater awareness of and access to sustainable products/ services available within Ontario & nation• efficient, cost effective development of stronger green community network connections• Updates on industry advancements and best practices• Discount offerings and specials

Benefits to health of Ontario Environments Reduction in use of toxins, of waste, energy and water through promotion of sustainable products and

services as replacements to those within existing supply chains Reduction in CO2 emissions resulting from replacing green products currently sourced from outside the

region

Benefit to economies of Ontario Greater integration of regional industries, of innovations in diverse fields within ‘sustainable’ fields

Responsible Supplier’s Guidefor travel and tourism in Ontario

Sustainability Criteria• developed i using the definition of ecotourism principles of TIES• two other criteria models as used by www.buygreen.com and www.mygreenpage.ca

Selection Criteria and Sustainability Commitment FormThe guide lists businesses who share our vision for a sustainable future, including the

following goals:• The company is devoted to an overall vision or goal of sustainability• The service, product and management practices are designed in a manner that reducesenvironmental impact.• A commitment is made to providing environmental and/or cultural awareness.• A strong commitment is made to benefiting the local community through direct social

and/orfinancial benefits.

Y/N questions addressed environmental and social sustainability in Product/Service Life Cycle and Management Practices. All companies listed in the directory have met at least 80% of our criteria.

Responsible Supplier’s Guide for travel and tourism in Ontario1st Edition – Dec.2008 online, Jan 2009 printed

44 suppliers involved, 3 half-page ads, 2 full page-ads , $750 in contributions from suppliers’ raised

1000 hard-copies printed through an in-kind contribution - estimated value of $3200.Major costs were labour covered by portion of employment grant and communication

technologies, fees donated by partner Sir Sanford Flemming College

Distribution: -posted on website - sent to our members & newsletter distribution listings which include tourism industry, government and consumers - at eco-focused consumer and business events, workshops with the tourism industry

Lessons learned: - track online distribution and other success measures - include stronger connection between suppliers and toes members (either by requesting tracking through suppliers or by making member discounts a stronger commitment from suppliers) - Deadlines for article, ad and payment submissions need to be firm to necessitate ease for printing and release date. –plan and budget for increased and targeted distribution

Responsible Supplier’s Guidefor travel and tourism in Ontario

2nd Edition – to be released fall 2011 - rfp released for partner producer and bidder selected in January 2011- $25 for basic listing, $100 ½ page, $250 + for full page- No $ costs, (some in-kind distribution and volunteer time dedicated

to overseeing, advising contractor, completing web posting of downloadable document, promotion of it) and no funds raised by t.o.e.s. through the project

- Increased number and diversity of listings and tracked distribution

3rd Edition goals – 2013 production - raise $ 2000 min. - increased # and diversity of listings - integrate more successfully with larger corporate sponsorship packages and tradeshow at networking event

Guiding Principles of Emerging Sustainable Economies

• Diversity• Interdependence• Cooperation vs. Competition• Filling a niche• Quality vs. Quantity• All 3 portions of sustainability addressed

(environmental, economic, social )• Change is the 1 reliable constant

Financing Sources

• Reducing & sharing costs • Fundraising / sales• Local individuals,

businesses, visitors• Ecotourism customers• Banks – grants, low-

interest loans• Corporate – sponsorship

& in-kind provision of costs

• Foundations, charities, non-profit organizations

• Fundraising Professionals• Government:

local/municipal, regional, national, international -grants, in-kind support and

expertise, leveraging power, guaranteeing / sharing risk on loans

Best Practices to Consider

• Set clear goals for project –specific, measurable, achievable - identify benefits to health of people, environments and economies

• (Re)Assess Feasibility -are components fully developed ? –strengths and weaknesses –legal viability & needs – sustainable benefits X all 3 -training

-market size and trends –major risks and challenges, ways of addressing - similar projects and lessons learned – is there financing available for your goals

• Build Partnerships – identify and then approach key collaborators, organizations & potential funders with complementary mandates, “champions” to promote project

Best Practices to Consider• Research on potential funders: - their objectives & measures -

when, who & how decisions are made & communications accepted• Full Cost Budgeting – include:- in-kind contributions of labour,

services and goods – recognitions – follow-up required to make benefits last / project grow - clarify $ needs: - operations, capital investment, program, administration -start-up, operating and contingency funds

• Develop project workplan – flexible - incremental change / growth• Develop Approach Pieces – identify strengths of partners -how will

$ be managed, credible history -how will goals be achieved ? –what’s in it for financers ? - adapt to language of recipients