OKLAHOMA CITY—The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is developing a program to promote sustainable travel in that state. Still in its early planning stages, one goal of the program will also be to educate tourism-related businesses and consumers about sustainable travel. The program, still without a name or branding logo, will include a certification initiative for tourism-related businesses such as hotels. Educational workshops and online educational materials also will be provided. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is working with the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and other agencies to put together the program.
“We are planning to test parts of the program within the next month or so,” says Jessica Blackstock, sustainable initiatives coordinator, Travel Promotion Division, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.
The goal is to have the program up and running sometime in 2010. A Green Task Force will be put together in the coming months with the purpose of bringing together representatives of the tourism industry and sustainability community who ultimately would be charged with championing the program. At the Governor’s Conference on Tourism from October 18 to 20, additional discussion will take place.
Blackstock says the certification program will be based on a checklist of best practices developed by DEQ. Lodging properties would be eligible to earn one of several levels of certification and would be required to reapply on an annual basis to retain the designation. Participants would have to set goals and track progress. Certified properties would be recognized on a soon-to-be-revamped Oklahoma travel and tourism website.
For more information, contact Jessica Blackstock at Jessica@travelok.com.
