Concept

An albergo diffuso is a type of accommodation that offers the services of a traditional hotel along with a space that is like a rented private home. One of the special features of this Italian concept is its horizontal structure, which spreads the hotel services over several buildings. For example, the guest rooms and apartments may be located on different streets in the same neighbourhood, while the reception area is located in location X, the restaurant in location Y and other services in location Z, all within a 200-metre radius.

International publications have sometimes described the concept as a hotel-village.

Source: Villa Retrosi

Another distinctive feature of the albergo diffuso is the age of the buildings that compose it. In fact, one of the goals of the concept is to repurpose abandoned buildings, houses and even monuments. The idea is not to build anything new, but to reuse.

Source: Castello di Montignano Relais & Spa

The guidelines of the albergo diffuso model respect the values of sustainable development in many respects:

• Promote local culture: one reason visitors select this type of accommodation is to enjoy an authentic local experience.
• Stimulate the local economy: the creation of an albergo diffuso encourages one or more homeowners to participate in an organization that is usually a cooperative and supports the development of small businesses working in traditional sectors like handicrafts and food preparation.
• Protect the environment: preserving existing buildings and giving them a second life helps safeguard the area’s history and limits the environmental damage that could be caused by new construction.

This type of hospitality is also reminiscent of the old European tradition of hosting tourists in homes.

An increasingly structured concept

To be able to call itself an albergo diffuso, an accommodation must meet several conditions, summarized as follows:

• The idea must be launched by local stakeholders
• Hotel services (reception, restaurant, etc.) must be provided
• There must be a sole management entity: a single entrepreneur or any other efficient form of association, with a cooperative being the most commonly used form
• There must be a minimum of seven rooms, located within 200 metres of each other and made available for a period of at least nine years
• The town or village where the albergo diffuso is located must offer a minimum of services such as a pharmacy, grocery store, etc.
• The albergo diffuso must take root in a lively, welcoming community that is open to sharing experiences with visitors

In the past few years, an association, the Associazione Nazionale Alberghi Diffusi (ADI), has been founded to help its members market themselves. At the same time, the Scuola Internazionale di Specializzazione in Albergo Diffuso, a school specializing in albergo diffuso, offers seminars, training and tools to assist property owners, management companies and local communities who are implementing this concept in their area.

Examples

The tiny medieval village of Smerillo is a centre of poetry that hosts the festival Le Parole della Montagna (“the words of the mountain”). Since 1998, the local authorities have been inviting certain homeowners to renovate their properties so they could be part of an albergo diffuso. Despite its population of 400, Smerillo can accommodate 60 visitors.

Source: Smerillo Albergo Diffuso

Le grotte della civita is an unusual example of the albergo diffuso concept; the 18 rooms are located in hillside caves! The goal of this albergo diffuso was to conserve Matera, a historic Apennine village in central southern Italy, and preserve its local heritage.

Source: Le grotte della civita

An exportable concept

The albergo diffuso model may be copied in other countries by adapting it to the host region. Moreover, the Business Innovation Centre of the Lazio Region, BIC Lazio, and the ADI offer technical assistance to the various countries that would like to implement this approach.

Will the albergo diffuso concept make its way to Quebec? It would be one way to revitalize certain villages affected by the rural exodus, repurpose some of the buildings from our religious heritage or even develop a network of accommodations in Quebec’s Far North.

—————————————

Comment – Giacomo Del Chiappa

Albergo diffuso represents a particular type of hospitality which help to achieve a sustainable tourism development (economic, environmental and sociocultural) of area that usually are abandoned. Indeed, albergo diffuso is usually considers as a way to recover the competitiveness of rural area which are interested by progressive flows of people leaving the rural area (emigrating) attracted from the more sparkling urban area. By this way, albergo diffuso is consider as a way to achieve a sustainable tourism development, creating job opportunities for local people, recovering the builindings, allowing to preserve and exploit the local authenticity and identity thus having the possibility to satisfy the needs of those travelers, the so called responsible tourists, (even more numerous) that travel looking for the possibility to be in touch with local authenticity, identity and culture in its various espressions (food, wine, cooking style, handcraft, etc) . Several examples could be done. One of this is Santo Stefano Sessanio located in the “Gran Sasso” national park in Abruzzo region. There everything is done to preserve local authenticity: research was done to understand how the old house were built, rooms has wool mattresses made as in the past and embroidered sheets accordingly the local traditions. Acccording with Kihgreln, the architect who developed this albergo diffuso, today the real estate in the village has been tripled.

Giacomo Del Chiappa – Assistant Professor in Marketing, Faculty of Economics, University of Sassari

Giacomo Del Chiappa received a Ph.D in “Marketing and Business Administration” at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Milan-Bicocca. He was Visiting Scholar at the University of Melbourne (Australia). He is Assistant Professor in Marketing at the University of Sassari, Faculty of Economics. He teaches in the areas of “Tourism Management and Marketing” and “Destination Management” for the Degree in Tourism Marketing and Management, based in Olbia (Sardinia). He is a member of the editorial board of the journal “Tourism Analysis” and referee for international journals. His research topics are related to destination governance and branding, convention site selection criteria and meeting industry and, finally, consumer behavior in tourism. In this latter field his studies are concentrated on responsible tourism, on web 2.0 in the hospitality sector and, finally, on community-based tourism. Fields of expertise: Destination governance and branding Convention site selection criteria and meeting industry Consumer behavior Organization Web site

Sources:

• Giordano Dichter, Giancarlo Dall’Ara. “Albergo diffuso – Developing tourism through innovation and tradition.”

• Marinela Dropulic, Aleksandra Krajnovic, Pavlo Ruzic. “Albergo diffuso hotels – A solution to sustainable development of tourism,” March 2008.

• M. Droli, S.I.S.A.D®. (International School Specializing in the Albergo Diffuso). “The albergo diffuso in Italy – The strengths of Friuli Venezia Giulia and innovative proposals,” March 22, 2007.

• Michèle Prévost, “L’hôtel diffus – Un concept d’hébergement rural qui se développe en Italie.” Espaces 295, September 2011.

Websites:

• Associazione Nazionale Alberghi Diffusi

• Bic Lazio

• Scuola Internazionale di Specializzazione in Albergo Diffuso

A bold design, (literally) anchored in the community

Installed in a former ferryboat, Bota Bota is moored at the Quays of the Old Port of Montréal; this floating spa offers a unique experience of well-being in an environment that is both urban and maritime. Sid Lee Architecture won a Design gold at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for this new attraction in Old Montreal.

Source: Bota Bota

The Stonewater Cove luxury resort in the heart of Mark Twain National Forest welcomes clients to its Treehouse Spa. The individual elevated treatment rooms feature nearly a full window wall and offer relaxation and massage in harmony with nature.

Source: Discover Spas

Increasingly health-oriented

Many spas have moved more towards health and wellness, and the trend is likely to continue. According to Amy McDonald , a spa development consultant, a growing number of clients are seeking healthy lifestyles and looking for something more spiritually oriented.

Among the establishments offering more advanced health care is Sanctuary Spa in Arizona, which recently gave all of its therapists special training so they could provide therapeutic massages to cancer patients. In addition, the London Syon Park spa in the Waldorf Astoria has joined forces with a plastic surgeon to develop advanced non-surgical rejuvenating treatments.

Though such products do not usually appeal to the majority of spa clients, they do help the establishment stand out from its competitors, which can be very profitable.

Pioneers in environmental practices

If an establishment is going to be a true oasis of well-being, to be credible, it must adopt environmentally-friendly practices. Many spas follow this guideline and some stand out with their innovations. Located in a UNESCO reserve in Malaysia, The Andaman resort only uses 100% certified organic products and treatments in its spa. The primary challenge of using green treatments is their effectiveness; it is therefore important to take the time to test them properly.

Architecture can also be a part of how a spa innovates when it comes to the environment. For example, the Spa Mont Saint-Hilaire in Montérégie uses a geothermal heating and cooling system. A spa’s outdoor heated pools consume a great deal of energy, particularly during the winter. Green and renewable, geothermal power enables the Spa Mont Saint-Hilaire to meet nearly all of its energy needs: heat and cool a 7,500 sq. ft. building, melt the snow on its paths and maintain the temperature of its pools. Although this technology requires considerable start-up costs, it then provides substantial savings on energy costs.

On par with a tourist destination

Located in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, the Spreewald Therme (Spree Forest Thermal Bath) in Germany is a health resort that uses mineral water from more than 1,300 metres below the ground, composed of salts and minerals similar to those found in the Dead Sea. Since the discovery of this hot spring, the destination has quickly attracted more visitors who go to the new spas, hotels and resorts that have sprung up to offer body treatments. A theme-based itinerary called the kurortroute (spa route, in English) and a bike path wind through the community. A top attraction for the region, the Spreewald Therme is a certified spa destination with a modern complex of nine pools fed by spring water. With temperatures that vary between 18°C and 38°C, these pools cover 772 m2.

Source: The New York Times

China, which is a booming tourist destination, is developing a hot spring resort, the Liaoning Wulong International Hot Spring Town. The overall cost of the project is estimated at US$1.5 billion . The developers hope it will become another international hot spring destination like Evian in France.

Historic charm and ancient traditions

The city of Bath in the United Kingdom has been associated with hydrotherapy since the Roman Empire and was also very popular during the Georgian era. The English Heritage organization recently confirmed a grant that will help create one of the country’s first genuine spa hotels in over 100 years in the city of Buxton . This development will enable the city to restore a gem of architectural and cultural heritage. Also in the UK, a luxury spa has opened in Ellenborough Park, a 16th-century estate in the Cotswolds region.

Spas inspired by ancient cultures are very popular. The last decade has seen a proliferation of Asian-influenced establishments in the Zen style. Now spas are inspired by Native American traditions, offering rituals based on ancient remedies and treatments tied to the earth. In the Marriott hotels of Dubai and Qatar, Saray spas offer a journey through the history and culture of the Middle East. In Quebec, the Auberge du Lac-Taureau offers a Native American spa package.

Alternative treatments and high luxury

A spa in Madrid, CosquilleArte, has developed the art of tickling. Rather than titillating guests or making them laugh, this gentle treatment engages the body and the mind.

Aromatherapy is also an innovative trend. The NoMi Spa at the Park Hyatt Chicago offers a complete sensory experience, during which specialists create a personalized mixture of essential oils that are integrated into every step of the treatment.

As for the height of luxury, the new Six Senses Spa at Hotel Missoni Kuwait offers a variety of treatments and activities in a sumptuous décor.

Source: Luxe Magazine

The spa industry has long defined itself as part of a healthy lifestyle rather than a frivolous indulgence, and now it is focussing on authenticity, prevention and design.

Sources:

- Bagel Storck, Ann. “Next-Generation Spas,” Hotels, June 2011.

- Bradley, Kimberly. “Hot Water Below Brings Pleasures Above in Germany,” The New York Times, August 26, 2010.

- Discover Spas. “New Spa Treehouses to Premier at Stonewater Cove Resort on the Shores of Beautiful Table Rock Lake Memorial Day Weekend,” February 3, 2011.

- Gayot.com. “The Current Spa & Salon – Native American Rituals in Washington State”, June 2010.

- Gayot.com. “CosquilleArte, the World’s First Tickle Spa, Debuts in Madrid”, July 2011.

- HMM Editorial Staff. “Top Ten luxury spa openings in 2011”, Hospitality World Network, August 10, 2011.

- Lafrance, Annie. “Des spas urbains dépaysants à Montréal,” Le Soleil, July 28, 2011.

- Luxe-Magazine.com. “Six Senses Spa opens at Hotel Missoni Kuwait”, May 2011.

- Perreault-Labelle, Anick. “La géothermie est aussi rentable pour les petits projets,” Les Affaires, April 23, 2011.

- Spa Opportunities. “English Heritage grant for Buxton spa hotel”, July 8, 2011.

- Spa Opportunities. “Spa opens at historic estate”, June 15, 2011.

- Tendance Hôtellerie, “Projet de plus d’un milliard d’euros en Chine pour concurrencer les plus grandes références du thermalisme”, August 17, 2011.

- Turenne, M. “Sid Lee : La créativité absolue fait recette,” Les Affaires, July 9, 2011.

With an eye to financial and environmental concerns, tourism providers are vying with one another to develop inventive products and services to meet an increasingly diverse demand. This article discusses some of the trends and best practices adopted by mountain resorts as they redefine themselves.

A broad range of recreational activities

Summer activities are more and more popular with mountain resort clients. (Please see: La tentation quatre-saisons des stations de ski). One-quarter of the resorts surveyed by SAM reported that summer operations accounted for at least 20% of their annual revenue. Mountain biking is currently the most popular summer attraction on offer (61%) (see: Le vélo de montagne représente-t-il un potentiel touristique sous-exploité?), after business meetings (64%) and weddings (81%).

In the next two years, the resorts surveyed plan to focus more on family-oriented activities rather than traditional activities like tennis and golf (see Figure 1). A little less than half of the destinations surveyed are planning to add ziplines (42%), and nearly one-quarter plan to build alpine coasters (23%) or a ropes course (22%).

Climbing walls and bungee jumping are becoming more popular, as are skate parks, water parks and mini golf. In fact, the Massif du Sud area in the Chaudière-Appalaches region now calls itself a “four-season adventure sports outfitter.”

 New customer segments

Many resorts rent out their facilities for business and festive events. The Banff Centre, located in the heart of Banff National Park, now courts the meetings, incentives, conventions and events (MICE) market. Some resorts, like Crystal Mountain in the northwest United States and Mont Sainte-Anne in Québec, actively target the destination wedding segment during the summer and rent out the facilities located on their summits.

Source: Crystalmountainresort.com

Package deals: An ideal solution

Increasingly, resorts are turning to package deals. Packages help make a destination attractive to new visitors, increase business during the off season and draw regional clientele who are interested in shorter stays. In addition, packages fulfil the varied needs of multi-generational travellers and non-skiers.

Relaxing getaways

Spas have become synonymous with the mountain resort experience. Health and wellness are now part of resort marketing and can even provide the raison d’être for a get-together, such as this year’s Wanderlust yoga festival held at Squaw Valley USA, California.

Source: First Track

Some resorts are improving their culinary offerings, sourcing food from a variety of providers and focussing on regional products. Last winter, the Samoëns ski resort in the French Alps organized its first Winemakers’ Week. Winemakers from various regions in France set up kiosks and presented workshops to introduce tourists to their wines. In Québec, Mont Saint-Sauveur recently began a major renovation of its bar and restaurant to offer patrons a wide variety of healthy foods and ensure that the bistro is the area’s trendiest restaurant.

Online marketing, mobile apps and new technology

Web marketing is now one of the most vital promotional channels available and some resorts are using it to great advantage. Wild Mountain in Minnesota posted a deal on LivingSocial, a group purchasing site, offering a discount package of lift tickets and equipment rental. The goal was to attract a new clientele of novice skiers.

Source: Livingsocial

Snowbird in Utah, one of the first resorts to develop its own app, has implemented a social media strategy by including a community page on its site where visitors can share content.

Source: SnowBird

Brighton Resort in Utah has installed two automatic cameras on one run to photograph skiers and snowboarders, who can then download their performances on the resort’s Facebook page.

Vail Resorts has created EpicMix, an application for either mobile or online use that enables clients of its five ski resorts to share their stats on their social networks. The information provided is extensive and includes rate of descent, skier and snowboarder ranking, weather and real-time location of contacts. Last winter, 100,000 people activated an EpicMix account and 40% downloaded the mobile app.

Source: Epicmix

New technology has also had an enormous impact on resort operations. At the beginning of the 2011-2012 winter season, Mont Saint-Sauveur and Mont Avila will be installing a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system on their lifts to detect skiers’ cards so they don’t have to show them, just like the system already in place at Le Massif in Charlevoix.

A wide variety of lodging options

A great number of privately owned mountain resort rentals are available online. In Québec and British Columbia, such properties represent approximately 60% of the ads listed on HomeAway. These rentals help increase a destination’s potential customer base and many resort managers feel this type of accommodation complements rental condos and hotel rooms.

However, such rentals have not slowed the real estate developments of groups like Intrawest, Boyne Resorts, Aspen Skiing and Vail Resort. Furthermore, many people are buying second homes located at the base of ski mountains. Finally, resorts are also developing new projects. At Le Massif in Charlevoix, the La Ferme hotel complex will open for business in the spring of 2012, and Mont Sainte-Anne is planning to build a new four-season resort in the next few years.

Source: Le Massif de Charlevoix

Sustainable development as a key element of restructuring

The Whistler resort community has developed a long-term plan, entitled Whistler 2020. It defines various priorities and strategies for achieving the sustainable development of the resort and uses indicators to monitor its progress on its Website.

Source: Whistler 2020

The Quebec Golf Course Owners Association (ATGQ) launched a sustainable development initiative this summer with the creation of the ParTROIS program. This measure helps golf clubs take steps towards eco-sustainable certification.

The National Ski Areas Association in the United States recently added a new component to Sustainable Slopes, its environmental charter for ski areas. Called the Climate Challenge, this friendly competition aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With the help of experts, the employees of the eight resorts participating in the voluntary program took action to fight climate change.

Clientele looking for new experiences, threats of global warming, technological advances and the popularity of social media: the industry does not lack for challenges. However, it is these very issues that have led ski resorts to develop innovative ways of maintaining their attractiveness, and the recent projects launched in Québec hold the promise of a bright future for mountain destinations.

Sources:

- Bast, Morgan. “EpicMix gets nearly 100,000 activations in first season”, buzz.snow.com, April 22, 2011.

- Bergeron, Patricia. «Réaménagement à la base de la montagne- Mont Saint Sauveur se peaufine», carnetduski.com, 13 juillet 2011.

- Kahl, Rick. “Condos on the Cheap,” Ski Area Management, Vol. 50, No. 2, March 2011, p. 54.

- Morrison, Alastair M. “International Trends in Mountain Tourism, Marketing and Development,” Belle Tourism Consulting, 2010.

- Rufo, Samantha, Ken Castle, and Katie Bailey. “Best/Worst Marketing 2010-2011,” Ski Area Management, Vol. 50, No. 3, May 2011, p. 41-45.

- Ski Area Management. “Sustainable Slopes Report Highlights Resorts’ Green Efforts” saminfo.com, July 8, 2011.

- Ski Area Management. “Summer in the Mountains,” Vol. 50, No. 3, May 2011, p. 46-47.

- Urban Land Institute. “Ten Resorts Trends”, www.uli.org, consulted July 13, 2011.

- Watson, Tom. “Brighton offers freestylers an ancillary stoke,” National Ski Areas Association, Vol. 19, No. 3, July 2011.

- Wine Tourism in France. “L’oenotourisme, nouveau sport d’hiver”, winetourisminfrance.com, December 29, 2010.

- World Tourism Organization. “UNWTO congress to debate the future of snow and mountain tourism” www2.unwto.org, March 31, 2011.

See also:

Les activités hors saison pour les centres de villégiature: tendances et nouveautés

La tentation quatre-saisons des stations de ski

The primary data used for this study was based on 146 valid responses from B&Bs in British Columbia (13% of an 1100 sample size), which were completed using an online survey tool in October 2008.  Research found that a significant number of B&B owner/operators indicated they have implemented “green” practices in their operations. The most common “green” practice was recycling; an average 73% of owner/operators “always” recycle. Owner/operators also exhibited environmental awareness by “usually” or “always” purchasing organic (40%), locally grown (66%) and low-toxic items (62%). The tendency to purchase organic and local items depended on availability and the B&B’s location, with remote locations finding this difficult. Additionally, 80% of participants indicated that they take the initiative to learn about environmental management. This shows that the trend of becoming more sustainable is apparent within B&Bs in B.C.

Barriers that hindered B&B operators from implementing “green” practices included financial restrictions, lack of resources and location. The financial restrictions cited as a barrier were also consistent with the response that a monetary incentive would be effective. The majority of respondents were not part of a “green” association that recognizes environmental initiatives through certification. In fact, no standard certification process exists for B&Bs in B.C.

Recommendations from this report outline how stakeholders could help B&Bs develop more “green” practices. First, government and associations could improve communications and increase the availability of feasible “green” practices that B&Bs could implement. The creation, implementation, communication and monitoring of government incentive programs in the field of sustainability would also improve B&Bs “green” practices. Second, an association could be created at the provincial or local level to recognize “green” initiatives through certification. Third, B&Bs could also become more aware of the current provincial and federal incentives offered to establishments for retrofitting.

Overall recommendations for government, associations and industry include the creation of a co-operative marketing initiative involving all three stakeholders.  This initiative could help increase awareness of “green” practices and specifically target the “green” niche market. The study notes that B&Bs are often not considered when discussing the impact of tourism and its contributions to mitigating climate change or moving towards more sustainable tourism. If Canada is to be seen as an eco-conscious destination, the B&B industry must not be forgotten. – new-

Bibliography
- Bohdanowicz, P., «European Hoteliers’ Environmental Attitudes: Greening the Business», Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, vol. 46 no 2, 2005, p.188-204.
- Gunter, H., «State programs help define green hotels», Hotel & Motel Management, vol. 223 no 10, 2008, p. 4.
- Hanna, E., «Setting the guestroom for the guest», Hotel & Motel Management, vol. 223 no 10, 2008, p. 48.
- Johnson, A., «Savings by the load», Hotel & Motel Management, vol. 223 no 11, 2008, p. 34.
- Rushmore, S. & Baum, E., «Hotel and Motels: Valuations and Market Studies», USA: The Appraisal Institute, 2001.
- Winter, J. P. & Azimi, S. L., «Less Garbage Overnight: A Waste Prevention Guide for the Lodging Industry», New York: INFORM, 1996.

A 2010 study by R. Dodds et al., “Carbon Offsetting Programs in North America: Assessing the Involvement of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry,” assessed the current marketplace for carbon offsetting providers in North America and the adoption of offsetting by the hospitality industry.  The study identified and contacted 50 carbon offset providers operating in North America. Of the 50 providers, 20 respondents participated in a telephone interview.   This study sought to determine 1) the status of the voluntary carbon offset market in North America and 2) the current level of involvement of the hospitality and tourism industry in mitigating climate change.

Key Findings of the Study

Offsetting and the Hospitality Industry

The study found that, overall, the hospitality industry was the most predominant industry utilizing offset providers, representing 19% of all offset business. Among hospitality and tourism sectors:

• Festivals and events represented the largest share of offsetting services, accounting for 5% of all offsetting business.

• Cruises were the least prominent sector of the hospitality industry, representing a statistically insignificant 0.2% of the client base.

Fifteen percent of respondent offset providers report that hospitality represented 75% or more of their client base. However, 32% of all respondent offset providers did not have any clients among the tourism and hospitality industry.

Respondents most often identified cost (40%) and lack of education (40%) as the barriers to buy-in by the hospitality industry and 85% of all respondents strongly agreed that there is confusion in the marketplace regarding carbon offsetting.

Offset Provider Practices

Renewable energy and biological sequestration were the most common types of offset project undertaken by offset providers, with each one used by 65%. Other common types were:

• Energy efficiency projects (30%)

• Methane capture (40%)

• Half of respondents identified biological sequestration as the most popular type of project among clients

The study also found that there are numerous standards and certifications, with respondents identifying 14 different ones in use. The most commonly used standard was the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). The Gold Standard, the world’s best known, was adhered to by four respondents. When asked which was the most credible method, respondents felt that ‘additionality’ was best ensured by standards (67%) and third-party verification (44%).

Implications of the Study

The findings indicate that the hospitality and tourism Industry is beginning to take action on the issues of climate change. Though the festival and events sector is a leader in adopting carbon offsetting practices, more efforts are needed to mitigate climate change, especially in the transportation sector. The study concluded that it is not clear whether the industry is purchasing offsets based on concern for climate change or in response to consumer demand; nor is it clear whether the industry is supporting the highest standard of offset providers or less reliable offset providers.

The recent economic downturn has demonstrated that the industry is highly price‑sensitive and the costs associated with adopting carbon offsetting practices were identified as a major barrier to buy-in for the hospitality industry.

Based on these survey findings, Dodds et al. (2010) call for more government regulation in the voluntary offsetting market to provide clearer standards of practice and a higher level of accountability. Further education regarding climate change and carbon offsetting within the industry is required as lack of education was a common theme among respondents (40%), yet many offset providers have not incorporated client education into their business practices. Some airlines have begun to provide carbon offset credits at the point of purchase, but few consumers are aware of the concept or knowledgeable about how it works.

As demand for offsetting is likely to increase as consumers become better acquainted with the practice, there is a need for regulation and education. If governments provide trustworthy regulation, consumers will become more confident in the value of their offset credits.  In the absence of government regulation, a number of recommendations should be considered and the hospitality and tourism industry should use discretion when adopting carbon offsetting practices. It is important to select offsetting providers that can produce a transparent accounting of their methods and offset projects. Familiarize yourself with the various offsetting methods and issues such as additionality and permanence, and look for the most trustworthy standards.

Industry should note that carbon offsetting is not a solution to the issues of climate change, but simply one part of a holistic strategy to mitigate your impact. Offsetting should be incorporated into a system-wide carbon mitigation strategy and supported by rigorous climate change education.

¹“An offset project is considered additional if it is not business as usual. Typically, this means that the project would not have happened without the extra funding from the sale of offsets.” (David Suzuki Foundation, 2009) Only with the applied concept of additionality can the offsetting program have a net benefit for the climate.

Source:

- Dodds, R., Bessada, T., Garcia-Arredondo, J., McDougall, A., and Thiesen, N. “Carbon Offsetting Programs in North America: Assessing the Involvement of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry”, 2010

Nonetheless, golf remains an important activity across Québec’s 362 golf clubs, while worldwide an estimated 25,000 golf courses cater to some 50 million players. Internationally, various organizations and initiatives exist to reduce golf’s environmental impact, but one of the most popular remains the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. In 2009, 783 golf courses were certified by this program worldwide, including 82 in Canada and 11 in Québec.²

Golf courses that have implemented initiatives to reduce their environmental impact can be recognized by a variety of actions, including:

• decreased water use
• improved irrigation systems and water application
• water quality monitoring
• reduced or eliminated pesticide use
• increased natural organic fertilizer use
• improved spill containment for pesticide mixing and loading areas
• decreased managed turf grass area to increase wildlife habitat
• landscaping with native plants to increase wildlife habitats
• removed exotic invasive plants
• vegetation planted in and around waterways
• installed of contained equipment in wash-off area.

Where such environmental actions have been implemented, golf course managers have generally also reported a positive business value or cost savings, according to Audubon International assessments.³

Situation in Québec

Currently, there is no information that systematically documents environmental improvements implemented by Québec golf courses. However, numerous golf courses are actively working towards reducing their negative environmental impact, while several are also in process of certification by Audubon International. The most prevalent positive environmental action presently in Québec remains the reduction of pesticide use, owing to legislation implemented back in 2003 by the Provincial Government.⁴ According to baseline assessments for the period 2003-2005, Québec’s golf sector used 39,382 kg of active ingredients per year (according to sales figures) and 75.9%, or 29,885 kg, in the form of fungicides.⁵ In comparison with total pesticide use in the Province, pesticide use by golf represented about 1.1% of the total. The continuous reductions in pesticide use remains important to maintain watershed ecosystem health, but especially since their application by golf courses in Québec occurs almost entirely on permeable soils.

Since 2003, the Québec Pesticides Management Code and its associated regulations require all Québec golf courses to submit a pesticide reduction plan prepared by a certified agronomist to the ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs every three years.⁴ For the period 2006-2009, the objective was to achieve average reductions of 12.9% in the use of fungicides, 9.4% in herbicides, 8.2% in insecticides, 7.4% in rodenticides and 2.8% in growth regulators. The results are currently being analyzed and the objectives for the next three years will be revised in 2010.

Though golf courses in Québec have taken numerous other actions to improve their environmental management, the overall impact of these is not documented, with the exception of the Laurentides, where water use is monitored by public sector organizations. A few golf courses have also installed industrial equipment to filter, treat and reuse wastewater. However, such initiatives are limited to only a few places, since they cost up to CAD 200,000. Elsewhere, golf courses have exchanged their carts for electric versions, implemented recycling programs, and use recyclable or biodegradable balls and tees. Increasingly, some golf courses supply their restaurants with local and regional foods, as in the case of the Rawdon Golf Club, which also received Le Phénix de l’environnement Award in 2009 for having implemented a variety of initiatives to improve its environmental management.⁶

While there aren’t clearly any 100% eco-friendly golf courses, work is under way to improve management at some places. There is currently a move in Québec to implement a variety of voluntary initiatives in 2010. For example, the Association des terrains de golf du Québec is drafting a sustainable development policy and green program, which will address comprehensive environmental management requirements covering a range of issues, including waste and water management (composting, recycling), hazardous substance use, vegetation around waterways and others. A number of other organizations, such as the Coalition for Responsible Golf, are also working to help golf courses improve their environmental management practices in Québec.

What about green golfers?

Few studies have assessed golfers’ attitudes towards the environment, and none have been reported from Québec. However, in 2008, Golf Digest published a survey that illustrated how perceptions of 650 avid golfers compared with the general American population regarding golf and its relationship with the environment.⁷ According to this study, golfers were typically male, affluent and older than the general population surveyed and some similarities and differences were noted amongst the two groups concerning environmental attitudes. For example, both groups appeared environmentally conscious and participated in activities like recycling and agreed that government regulation is a necessary approach for addressing environmental issues. However, while golfers also appeared to support the idea that golf is an environmentally friendly/compatible sport, they were less likely than the general population to participate in initiatives such as carpooling. Figure 1 summarizes some of the attitudes towards specific impacts linked to water and pesticide use, which suggests that fewer golfers believe the game’s water and pesticide use has a negative impact on the environment than the general population. The Golf Digest study ⁷ also suggests that, while golfers agree with the need to improve the environmental management of golf courses, such improvement does not necessarily represent a big plus for increased participation in the game.

Some golf courses are also focussing on player education to raise environmental awareness and several try to get players involved by having them volunteer to carry out restoration and environmental works, while others encourage the provision of financial support towards environment initiatives.

Golf clearly has the potential to be more environmentally responsible and the numerous initiatives in place by some golf courses currently leave no room for inaction by the great majority.

Source

(1) Wheeler, K. & Nauright, J. (2006). A green game?: A Global Perspective on the Environmental Impact of Golf. Sport in Society, 9(3) 427-443.

(2) Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses

(3) Audubon International (2007). Golf’s Green Bottom Line: Uncovering the Hidden Business Value of Environmental Stewardship on Golf Courses. Audubon International. 64 p.

(4) Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs. Code de gestion des pesticides. Last access November 4, 2009 http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/pesticides/permis/code-gestion/index.htm

(5) Laverdière, C., Dion, S., and Gauthier, F. (2007). Bilan des plans de réduction des pesticides sur les terrains de golf. Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs. 54 p.

(6) Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs. Les Phénix de l’environnement, édition 2009. Last access October 28, 2009. http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/Phenix/2009/5-realisation-entrep.htm

(7) Golf Digest (2008). Golf and the Environment: Golfer Perceptions and Attitudes Concerning the Game and its Relationship with the Environment. Golf Digest Publication. Research Resource Centre. 25 p.

Economic incentives are considered a key component of sustainable tourism growth. Yet, there are very few examples of this when it comes to producing or purchasing tourism products. It is well known that existing “eco-conscious” tourists are not really motivated by price and that most others, and especially mass tourists still are. Moreover, studies also show that price is perceived as a significant barrier for purchasing responsible tourism experiences¹.

Offering financial rewards is not relevant to all businesses since some tourism operations offer clients opportunities to participate in different activities (especially eco and nature-based) that lead them to better understand the importance of natural resource conservation. It is assumed that such experiences might be rewarding, because they are meaningful at a personal level and clients automatically benefit by learning and can often result in responsible action elsewhere too.

There are many examples of small incentives to encourage responsible behaviour, such as giving a small discount for reusing a cup in café, giving away reusable shopping bags away at stores and so on. But why not reward tourists for partaking in environmental actions? Here are some examples from around the world.

At festivals…

In 2009, Roskilde Festival in Denmark² focussed some of its environmental initiatives on climate change with its Green Footsteps campaign. The organizers encouraged clients to take at least one environmental action, such as arriving at the festival by public transport instead by car and awarded them with green footsteps for this. A total of 40 000 actions were taken by festival-goers linked to cut energy consumption and CO² production, and as a reward, those with enough green footsteps could reserve a spot at the camping area before it opened for the general public. Those with the most green footsteps were also invited to join the festival’s Climate Community, a camping quarter providing an enriched visitor experience for participating patrons. They were offered engageing activities, knowledge about climate change, climate friendly showers (energy from wind, sun and humans on bikes) and a dance floor.

At nature parks…

Phillip Island Nature Parks³ (PINP) in Victoria, Australia provides wildlife experiences involving a variety of species, notably the Little Penguins whose conservation and volunteer program also includes a reward component for participants. PINP manages numerous conservation projects such as revegetation and weed removal, amongst others. The park rewards every international and domestic volunteer who helps with conservation works by offering free accommodation. The park also waives park entree fees for participating international volunteers. As do many zoos and aquariums around the world PINP also runs an “adopt an animal” program, where visitors can donate funds to help with penguin and other environmental conservation works. Those who participate become members and once a year receive free tickets to see the penguins. PINP is a not-for-profit organization and does not receive ongoing funding from the government, and it generates its own revenue to ensure business viability.

On tours…

GeoEx⁴ is a tour company that offers all its travelers who contribute $250 or more to the Living Planet Trust (a donor-directed fund administered by the Tides Foundation of San Francisco) a $250 travel voucher toward a future trip. These tax-deductible donations to the Living Planet Trust are dedicated to offsetting the carbon emissions generated by travelers’ international air passage and to funding local initiatives at the destination they just experienced.

At ski areas…

Several ski resorts in North America have carpool and bus incentive programs, encouraging skiers to take fewer cars to the mountains. For example, at Arapahoe Basin resort⁵ in Colorado, guests with four individuals in a vehicle are offered a 30% discount on lift tickets. The resort also provides financial support to a local bus system to encourage public transport use and reduce vehicle congestion and air pollution. Similarly, Aspen/Snowmass⁶ partnered with the City of Aspen to provide carpooling guests (with two or more adults) a free parking pass for all-day parking at the resort.

At airports…

Several airports are also rewarding the eco-conscious. For example, at Boston Logan Airport⁷ those who drive hybrid cars get preferential parking and taxis with low emission vehicles are eligible for a US $ 25,000 grant (from the government). Hybrid taxis also have privileged front of the line passenger pick-ups at the airport. Similarly, San Francisco airport has a Green Rental Car program that rewards customers renting hybrid cars with a $15 discount8.

On islands…

Targeta Verda⁹ or Green Card is an initiative of the Balearic Island Foundation to raise funds from tourists for sustainable development projects while giving discounts for visiting attractions and buying commercial products. The card costs 10 euros and is valid for 15 days for visitors, and for one year for residents while its benefits include free bike hire. Funds from the card have also been put towards various ecological restoration projects on the island, heritage interpretation and visitor awareness programs.

While Shopping …

Many tourist attractions (such as zoos) already sell products in their gift shops, which are produced responsibly and in some cases, the purchase of an item may provide a portion of the cost towards some conservation effort (for example, save a threatened animal from extinction). Eco-perks Green Rewards Store¹⁰ is a California-based online store that gives eco-points to customers who buy responsibly produced products and services. These could be anything from T-shirts and carbon offsets to stays at places such as W Hotels or Chumbe Island Coral Park in Zanzibar. The company also sells a wide variety of low-impact tourism experiences at various destinations: hanggliding, birdwatching, kayaking, cycling tours and so on. The more people buy, the more eco-points redeemed that can be used to purchase other products and services sold by the company. Eco-points can also be donated to a variety of causes such as environmentally oriented NGOs and ecosystem restoration projects. The company also provides information and tools to help reduce the negative impacts of every-day life.

So what?

It might be worthwhile to provide visitors with some kind of a reward, however small, because it would help communicate some of the environmental actions a company is undertaking that may otherwise be invisible and thereby raise awareness about an issue. Since most consumer groups have expressed some kind of an interest in purchasing green products, this may help also help to attract new clients.

Sources:

1. Reem, C. (2009). PhoCusWright’s Going Green: The Business Impact of Environmental Awareness of Travel. PhoCusWright. Sherman, CT, USA. 29 p.
2. Roskilde Festival. Reserve a spot at the camping area. Last consulted July 7, 2009. http://www.roskilde-festival.dk/uk/news/singlenews/reserve-a-spot-at-the-camping-area/
3. Philip Island Nature Parks. Wildlife and habitat programs. http://www.penguins.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=19 Last consulted June 16, 2009.
4. Geographic Expeditions. Responsible Travel. Walking the Talk. 2009 http://www.geoex.com/about_us/responsible_travel.asp Last consulted July 7, 2009.
5. Arapahoe Basin. http://www.arapahoebasin.com/ABasin/about/environment/transportation.aspx Last consulted July 6, 2009.
6. Aspen Snowmass. http://www.aspensnowmass.com/onmountain/statsfacts/statsfacts.cfm?area=Aspen%20Mountain Last consulted July 6, 2009.
7. Massachusetts Port Authority. Preferred Parking at Logan for Passengers Driving Clean Fuel Vehicles. http://www.massport.com/about/press_news_cleanvehiclehtml.html Last consulted July 13, 2009.
8. San Francisco International Airport. Save some green when you rent green. http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/tofrom/rental-cars/greenrentals/ Last consulted July 13, 2009.
9. Foundation for a Sustainable Balearics. http://www.targetaverda.com Last consulted June 4, 2009.
10. Eco Perks. http://www.ecoperks.com/ Last consulted July 2, 2009.

The relationship between climate change and tourism is interwoven and interdependent.  Climate change has major implications for the future of tourism because weather conditions factor heavily into the business direction of tourism operators. In Canada, seasonal and outdoor tourism may be adversely impacted by abnormal or unpredictable weather patterns, and costly changes to infrastructure may be required to cope with these changes .

With the growing concern about the effects of climate change and how the tourism industry is vulnerable to these effects, the challenge is to determine the awareness of tourism stakeholders and their level of participation in mitigating such effects.

A 2008 study by L. Kole et al at Ryerson University aimed to determine the level of awareness among Canadian travel agents with regard to climate change, and their willingness to offer carbon offsetting as a mitigation strategy to their clients. The study also aimed to determine whether more information regarding environmental issues and carbon offsetting needs to be provided to travel agents to assist them in channelling this knowledge to consumers.

The study sent an e-survey to 1886 members of the Association of Canadian Travel Agents (ACTA) and 2,500 members of the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC). The study received a 5.9% response rate.

Findings

The study found that while travel agents consider climate change a threat, they were unaware of the tourism industry’s contribution to climate change. Their consumers, travellers, also did not make the connection between climate change and their travel habits. Most travel agents have a ‘basic’ understanding (50%) of climate change and carbon offsetting. More than 50% said their first business priority was ‘making a profit.’ However, 9% of travel agencies said their first priority was ‘spreading knowledge of climate change.’ In addition, although 46% of agents felt it was important to communicate environmental issues related to tourism, they were not encouraged to do so by their agencies.

Some 34% of Canadian travel agents believe their customers would be willing to pay up to $10 as an additional charge for carbon offsets, although they felt that the government should bear the financial costs of carbon offsets. Less than half of these agents ’sometimes’ suggest carbon offsets to their customers while customers ‘rarely’ bring up the option of carbon offsets.

The study concludes that since most travel agents have only a ‘basic’ knowledge and understanding of climate change, they are not sufficiently informed to help transfer knowledge about climate change and carbon offsets to their clients. This is also the main reason that agencies are apprehensive about presenting carbon offsetting as a viable option. Travel agents need to be well-versed in environmental issues and carbon offsetting in order to be ambassadors of environmental change.

Implications

In order to increase awareness, a combined effort needs to be initiated among governments, academic institutions and corporations to educate agents about the effects of climate change on tourism and carbon offsetting. As travel agents are representatives at the frontline of the tourism industry, they wield considerable influence when it comes to travellers’ actions and awareness of environmental issues.

There are a number of approaches for communicating climate change awareness within the tourism industry and for making climate change and carbon offsetting a fundamental part of the industry:

1. Education Campaign for Agents – climate change and mitigation strategies should be part of travel training institutions’ curriculum.
2. Increase client awareness through the tourism industry, in order to incorporate this issue into mainstream culture.
3. Offer clients a flat-rate fee for carbon offsetting.

Travel agents must realize that they can help mitigate the effects of climate change. Agents can inspire action by educating consumers about how their travels contribute to climate change, and by offering them carbon offsetting options to enable them to reduce their carbon emissions.

Sources:

Kole, L., Krestell, S., Parlagreco, L. & Dodds, R. (2008). Climate Change and Carbon Offsetting. Toronto: Ryerson University. 49 pages.

United Nations World Tourism Organization (2008). Climate Change and Tourism:
Responding to Global Challenges. Retrieved from http://www.unwto.org/index.php

Although multiple studies have been conducted by organizations such as Lonely Planet, National Geographic and others, there is little research data about visitors to Canada, let alone Canada’s biggest city – Toronto. A 2007 study conducted by Arente and Ennamorato on Canadian tourists’ awareness and perceptions of sustainable tourism found that only 12% of Canadians are ‘somewhat’ familiar with the concept of sustainable tourism while 31% had never even heard of it. As for participation in sustainable tourism practices, 49% would choose to participate in activities that have sustainable benefits while travelling and 42% would use travel agencies that follow sustainable tourism guidelines. Over 75% of respondents believe that businesses that market and sell tourism as well as mass media should take on the responsibility of distributing information on sustainable tourism.

To augment this data, a recent study of 400 visitors to Toronto was conducted by Dodds, Antonov, Babkina & Gordon (2008). The purpose of the study was to determine the level of demand for and use of sustainable tourism products (e.g., choosing responsible tour operators, carbon offsetting flights and car rentals, purchasing green products and services such as hotels who showcased environmental policies,  and organic and fair trade food/products).

Findings

The study found that young and not necessarily affluent respondents were willing to pay for sustainable products. Of the respondents, 46% were between the ages of 19- 29 and had a relatively low household income (48% with an income of $24-59,000). Results showed that 11% were willing to pay 11-25% more and 59% of respondents were willing to pay 1-10% more.

Although there is often confusion over the term ‘sustainable tourism’ (45% had never heard of sustainable tourism or were not familiar with it as a form of tourism), 72% of respondents said they were likely to use sustainable tourism products in the future.

The study also found that the more respondents were likely to consider buying sustainable tourism products in the future (77%), the more likely they would pay a premium for them.

In terms of motivation or choice, 44% of respondents said they participated in sustainable tourism practices because they did not want to harm the environment. Although this number is not the majority, many people were also concerned that it corresponded with their moral values (38%) and understood the importance of doing so (39%).

Conclusions

Many sceptics maintain that there is not outstanding participation in or widespread demand for more responsible tourism products. This, however, may be due to limited awareness (33% of the travellers who had never purchased sustainable tourism products said that this was because they were not aware of them).

Canadian travellers are also comparable to international travellers. In a 2007 TripAdvisor ecotourism survey of 1,000 travelers worldwide, 38% responded that environmentally-friendly tourism is a consideration when travelling. This finding is similar to the Toronto study. Only 4% of respondents were ‘not at all’ likely to participate in sustainable tourism practices while travelling in the future, while 44% were ‘somewhat’ likely to consider purchasing sustainable tourism products.

References :

Arente, H. & Ennamorato, M. (2007). Sustainable Tourism: Travel Like You Mean It!  Toronto: TNS Canadian Facts. Retrieved Dec 16, 2008, from http://www.tns-cf.com/conferences/ttra/ttra-2007.pdf

Dodds, R., Antonov, Y., Babkina, I., & Gordon, S. (2008). Travellers’ Demand For and Participation in Sustainable Tourism Practices in Canada. Toronto: Ryerson University.

TripAdvisor. (2007). TripAdvisor Travelers Keen on Going Green. Press release. Retrieved Dec 16, 2008, from http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/PressCenter-i120-c1-Press_Releases.html

Landscapes are an important tourism resource, so it is unrealistic for tourism stakeholders to offer unequivocal support for wind farms. For this reason, battles to stop wind farm development around tourism attractions continue, while at the same time opinions about wind farms continue to diverge. For example, there is opposition to the recently erected wind turbine on Grouse Mountain in Vancouver(2) and to the proposed wind farm near Mont St. Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Area in France, even though the turbines would be situated some 15 km from it.(3)

Wind turbines as tourist attractions?

For some people, wind turbines are symbols of sustainable development and valued for producing clean energy. Perhaps this attitude can give wind turbines some recognition for being part of modern heritage. Windmills, the predecessors of modern wind turbines, were also contested when introduced to the European landscape around the 12th century. In countries like Holland, windmills today are a visual part of the nation’s heritage and in Québec, many are also tourist attractions, notably on Île Perrot and Île aux Coudres.

However, wind turbines are unlikely to be a major tourism draw in their own right, especially since they are now increasingly part of the cultivated landscape in many countries. In some cases, they diversify the attraction base of a destination, like Cap Chat in the Gaspé Peninsula, where a visitor centre showcases the highest vertical-axis wind turbine in the world. Similar interpretation centres worldwide offer guided tours; in Denmark, for example, there are boat tours to see the offshore wind farms at Middelgrunden near Copenhagen. Preferences and attitudes towards modern wind farms are likely to evolve over time as people get accustomed to their presence, but it is unlikely that they will appeal to everyone in the future.

Visitor preferences

A Scottish report reviewing a number of studies evaluating the impact of wind farms on tourism suggests limited overall negative impacts.(4) However, tourists generally prefer wind energy projects to be located away from accommodation areas, historic sites, scenic areas and viewpoints, and places of natural beauty. The proportion of visitors who flatly oppose wind turbines near tourism attractions appears to be a minority, according to some reports. For example, a broad national survey in France showed 22% of the population thought wind turbines affected tourism negatively, while the rest were positive or neutral.(5) Similarly, in the Languedoc-Roussillon Region, a survey showed only 16% of visitors thought wind turbines degraded the landscape in general.(6) In a more recent study from Scotland, about 20% to 30% of tourists preferred landscapes without wind farms and the rest were mainly positive or neutral.(4) Tourist perceptions were also evaluated in a study in the Gaspé Region of Québec, where visitors generally expressed a positive attitude towards wind farms.(6) However, when asked about the establishment of new wind farms in the future, 56.4% preferred to see a concentration of wind turbines (more than 12 turbines) in a few places, rather than fewer turbines (less than 12) in multiple locations. Furthermore, 5.6% of visitors surveyed did not want to see any wind turbines in the Gaspé Region.(7)

Economic impact

While preference studies show broadly similar patterns, very few quantitative studies published to date have established empirical links between wind farms and the net economic impact on tourism. (8) Several studies use hypothetical scenarios to assess future preferences, thus indicating likely impacts on tourism.(9,10) Such studies tend to show that visitors would not change their travel patterns to an area if a wind farm were established, as 92% of visitors indicated in a survey in Southwest England, for example.(9) Overall, there is limited evidence to suggest that wind farms have a serious negative economic impact on tourism.

A report from Scotland estimated the net economic impact of potential wind farm development by calculating the combined effect of the changing number of tourists going to an area when a wind farm is constructed and the subsequent change in expenditures, and the lowered willingness to pay for a “room with a view” in an accommodation facility affected by the construction. The study looked at four areas in Scotland that represent about 12% of the country’s tourist activity and found that, in total, 81% to 98% of the tourists to these areas would be affected.(4) It also estimated the proportion of accommodation facilities in the same areas that would be impacted by the proposed wind farms, and this ranged from 9.83% to 32.40%. In the visitor survey part of the study, 63% of tourists preferred a landscape free of wind turbines from the hotel bedroom, while 28% were neutral and 9% were positive. The authors suggest visitor perceptions about wind farms are based on where they are. Thus, opinions about wind farms are likely to change if one has a passing view for a few seconds while driving by compared to having a longer, static view from a hotel room. For accommodation establishments with affected views, the study found a reduction in use by 4.9% to 16.20% and estimated a net expenditure reduction of between 0.48% to 1.59% respectively. The study also found proposed wind farm development may lead to a 2.5% loss due to fewer returning tourists visiting the area.(4)

Conclusion

In most places, like Québec, a variety of legislative and planning tools help minimize the social and environmental impact of wind farms.(11) In addition to its visual impact, wind farm development continues to push the limits of social acceptability in terms of its planning, management, operational control and fairness with regard to the distribution of benefits.(12) The few studies mentioned here suggest that even though the majority of tourists may appear positive about wind farms, one must look closer at preferences with regard to visiting places and choosing accommodations. In this context, it would be worthwhile to independently assess the effects of wind farms on tourism at the local and regional scale in Québec.

Sources:

(1) Ministère du Développement durable, Environnement et Parcs (2006). L’énergie pour construire le Québec de demain. La Stratégie énergétique du Québec 2006-2015. Québec: Gouvernement du Québec. 138 p.

(2) Colebourn, J. (2009). “Wind turbine power project installed atop Grouse Mountain,” in the Province. September 25. Accessed online 10 Oct. 2009. Http://www.theprovince.com/story_print.html?Id=2035719&sponsor=

(3) nouvelobs (2009). “Manifestation anti-éolien au Mont-Saint-Michel,” in Le Nouvel Observateur. September 26. Accessed online 10 Oct. 2009.
Http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/depeches/sciences/20090926.SCI7308/manifestation_antieolien_ au_montsaintmichel.html
(4) Riddington, G., Harrison, T., mcarthur, D., Gibson, H., and Millar, K. (2008). “The economic impacts of wind farms on Scottish tourism. A report for the Scottish Government.” Accessed online 16 Oct. 2009. Www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/214910/0057316.pdf

(5) Synovate (2003). Perception et répresentation de l’énergie éolienne en France. Ademe. 18 p.

(6) Institute CSA (2003). Impact potentiel des éoliennes sur le tourisme en Languedoc-Roussillon, France. Synthèse de Sondage. 5 p.

(7) Richard Guay Consultants (2004). Étude de marketing auprès des touristes de la Gaspésie afin de connaître leurs attitudes face à l’installation d’éoliennes. A report presented to technocentre Éolien Gaspésie-les-Îles. Québec. 37 p.

(8) Riddington, G., mcarthur, D., Harrison, T. And Gibson, H. (2009). “Assessing the economic impact of wind farms on tourism in Scotland: GIS, surveys and policy outcomes,” International Journal of Tourism Research. Published online in Wiley Interscience. DOI: 10.1002/jtr.750 http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122609399/abstract

(9) visitbritain (2006). Foresight. Issue 33. July. Strategy and Communications Division.

(10) mori Scotland (2002). Tourist Attitudes towards wind farms. research study conducted for the Scottish Renewables Forum and the British Wind Energy Association. Final Report. Edinburgh. 24 p.

(11) Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions (2007). Guide d’intégration des éoliennes au territoire : vers de nouveaux paysages. Québec: Gouvernement du Québec. 38 p.

(12) Saucier, C., Côté, G., Fortin, M.-J., Jean, B., Lafontaine, D., Feurtey, É., Guillemette, M., Méthot, J.-F. And Wilson, J. (2009). Développement territorial et filière éolienne. Des installations éoliennes socialement acceptables : élaboration d’un modèle d’évaluation de projets dans une perspective de développement territorial durable. Rimouski: Université du Québec à Rimouski. 227 p.