For Immediate Release
October 28, 2014
According to a new publication by the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), protecting coral reefs and the natural environment can help hotel’s grow their business. Ecotourists have higher incomes than regular tourists on average, and they tend to spend more money while traveling. Attracting this growing market could help hotels increase their bottom line.
Over $24 billion was spent in 2005 on ecotourism—and in a 2007 study by the Center for Responsible Travel, 54 percent of respondents said they would be more likely to patronize hotels and resorts that were environmentally responsible. Today’s tourists are seeking genuine natural experiences, and they’re becoming more aware and discerning of false environmental advertising, or greenwashing. Additionally, healthy reefs and clean water are essential to maintaining Hawai‘i’s allure as a destination—80 percent of Hawai‘i’s nearly 8 million annual visitors engage in marine-related recreational activities during their stay.
The new Hawai‘i Hotel Reef Stewardship Guide is designed to help hotels adopt practices that protect coral reefs and attract this growing number of tourists interested in supporting environmentally-friendly businesses. The new guide by CORAL, available for free download at www.coral.org/hotelstewardship, outlines practical steps hotels can take to become coral reef stewards, such as reducing land-based pollution and engaging and educating their guests.
To receive a hardcopy of this guide, those within the South Kohala accommodations sector—including property division managers, maintenance and facility personnel, and elected homeowner association board members—are invited to a free workshop to learn more about reef stewardship. Participants will learn about attracting eco-friendly travelers, becoming a certified environmentally-friendly business, saving money through reef stewardship, and the history of the local shoreline and Hawaiian culture.
The workshop will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 from 8:30am-4:30pm at the Ka‘upulehu Interpretive Center in Kailua-Kona. Interested attendees should RSVP by November 3 to Erica Perez at eperez@coral.org or 808.494.5770. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
ABOUT THE CORAL REEF ALLIANCE
CORAL unites communities to save coral reefs. Working with people around the world—from fishermen to government leaders, divers to scientists, Hawaiians to Fijians—CORAL protects one of the most valuable and threatened ecosystems. Their international team leads holistic conservation programs that improve coral reef health and resilience and are replicated across the globe. For more information about CORAL or to make a donation to protect coral reefs, visit www.coral.org.