Tactic A5.2
Highlight Sustainable Best Practices by Local Businesses
Build on existing recognition programs to highlight sustainable best practices by local businesses.
A range of sustainability initiatives can be expected from Sedona tourism businesses as the Environment Pillar goes into effect. A critical element in stimulating support will be recognizing and prominently showcasing businesses taking leadership roles.
This tactic will build on existing community awards programs to promote recognized businesses to the community and media. There are many opportunities to promote excelling businesses online. The SCC&TB will lead the effort to ensure community and visitor awareness of business sustainability initiatives by providing exposure of local innovations to maximize their adoption around the community.
IMPACTED PILLARS
TIMEFRAME Short-term (12-18 months)
LEAD PARTNER SCC&TB
SUPPORTING PARTNERS Sedona Businesses, Keep Sedona Beautiful, Sustainability Alliance
ALIGNING RESEARCH Business Survey, GSTC
TARGET / STATUS TO DATE FY21
1. Benchmark through business surveys - TARGET = 85% favorable business perceptions of Sedona as a sustainable destination / STATUS = 71%
2. Benchmark through visitor surveys - TARGET = 90% favorable visitor perceptions of Sedona as a sustainable destination / STATUS = 87%
3. Create awareness of sustainable business practices - TARGET = 100 blogs & posts / STATUS = 96. Link to read the blog posts here.
PROGRESS TO DATE
Sustainable Best Practices
Build on existing recognition programs to highlight sustainable best practices by local businesses.
FY21: The SCC&TB has been active year-round in promoting business sustainability and advancing a sustainable Sedona through business-related tourism management practices.
In March, the SCC&TB reported that its annual member survey showed that sustainability is the top issue for Sedona member business in 2021, demonstrating business awareness of the range of economic, environmental, tourism management and quality of life issues encompassed by the sustainability concept. This fact was featured in the SCC&TB’s weekly Red Rock News column and blog.
During FY21 as of April 15, the SCC&TB has published 12 blogs and articles relating to specific businesses achieving sustainability per Sustainability Alliance certification or activities that demonstrate business support of sustainability.
During Earth Month in April, the SCC&TB highlighted businesses and nonprofits that have attained certified sustainable status in the SCC&TB Red Rock News weekly articles and blog posts.
On Earth Day, April 22, the SCC&TB issued a news release nationally about joining the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, which gives Sedona access to the best sustainability research and policies in the world. The SCC&TB promoted joining the GTSC in its April 23 Red Rock News column and blog.
In March, a press release went to 796 media sharing our Earth Month link and information – which includes business sustainability efforts and the work of the Sustainability Alliance in certification.
Similar information promoting Sedona as a business community committed to sustainability was published in the Consumer e-News Letter sent to more than 155,000 email recipients.
In late March, the SCC&TB promoted the Sustainability Alliance, Earth Day event calendars and opportunities in its Local and Business e-Newsletters sent to over 3,100 opt-in subscribers and added a prominent Earth Day Poster at the Visitor Center.
The SCC&TB added the Sustainable Tourism Plan as a sub-navigation to the Media menu on VisitSedona.com.
In March, one of the SCC&TB Red Rock News articles and blogs previewed the SCC&TB’s upcoming association with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and what it means for Sedona businesses.
The SCC&TB highlighted KSB and Trail Lover's Excursions (operating as Stewards of Sedona) in a Red Rock News article on November 20 and on the associated blog on SedonaChamber.com on November 16.
In February, the SCC&TB CEO and Board met with the Sedona City of Sedona Council to discuss FY22 tourism management strategies. Per Council direction and with SCC&TB support, spending and goals are based on their applicability to the Four Pillars of the Sustainable Tourism Plan. The SCC&TB continues to lead as a business organization dedicated to achieving community-wide sustainability.
SCC&TB created a list of certified sustainable businesses for the virtual Go West Summit 2020.
FY20: The SCC&TB featured member businesses as they achieved certified sustainable status on our blog and social media sites in cooperation with the Sustainability Alliance.
In June, the SCC&TB, the City of Sedona of Sedona, Yavapai County, the Sedona Airport Authority, Keep Sedona Beautiful, and helicopter operators Guidance Air and Sedona Air Tours announced the Fly Friendly agreement in which helicopter tour operators cease overflights of the entire City of Sedona as well as several major resorts and neighborhoods outside the City of Sedona limits – a giant step forward in the commitment of local businesses to sustainability.
The SCC&TB sponsored and assisted in the promotion of the March Mountain Bike Festival, especially its environmental ethos of caring for our trails and “leaving Sedona a little better than they found it,” as well as Festival efforts to minimize waste, which included several Sedona businesses and the Sustainability Alliance.