New Travel Care Code Encourages the Travel Industry and Vacationers to Think Green

Center for Sustainable Tourism launches first of its kind code of simple, practical suggestions on how vacationers can maximize the positive benefits of travel.

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. May 26, 2011

Greenville, NC - May 25, 2011 - Memorial Day serves as the official kick off of the busy summer travel season. As millions of American's take to the sky and road to visit their favorite vacation destinations, attractions, and nature parks, the Center for Sustainable Tourism, at East Carolina University, officially introduces the U.S. Visitor Care Code (www.visitorcarecode.org). The code is designed to highlight small and practical efforts that travelers can make to protect the natural environment and unique cultures of the places they visit.

With more than 1.5 billion “person trips” made for leisure each year in the U.S., even small changes in behavior can make a big difference in tourism's impact on the environment and communities. The code, which includes 10 points, encourages travelers to:

• Learn About Your Destination- Enjoy rewarding experiences learning about the environment, culture and history that make each destination unique.

• Don't Leave Your Good Habits at Home - While traveling, continue to recycle, use water wisely, and turn off lights as you would at home.

• Support Locals - As a visitor, the money you spend on your trip can help support local artisans, farmers and business owners whose livelihood depends on tourism.

• Protect Your Natural Surroundings - Be mindful of plants, animals, and ecosystems that you might impact. Avoid feeding wildlife, stay on designated trails and strictly follow all fire restrictions.

To help promote the code, the Center for Sustainable Tourism has partnered with Miles Media, a leader in marketing solutions for tourism destinations and hotels/resorts, to spread the word to the industry. The Code is available free of charge at www.visitorcarecode.org where all 10 recommendations can be accessed by any organization or individual to share and distribute. Businesses are encouraged to add it to their web sites and other marketing efforts.

Center for Sustainable Tourism
The Center for Sustainable Tourism at East Carolina University promotes sustainable tourism throughout the nation through innovation in graduate education, leadership development, community consultation, and collaborative research. The Center is devoted to implementing sustainable practices in tourism business operations, public policies, and personal travel behaviors. For more information on the Center for Sustainable Tourism visit SustainableTourism.org.