Sustainability and Stewardship
The words sustainability and stewardship are often treated as buzzwords and in some quarters viewed very negatively. But the point is, if a destination’s existing assets and resources and any new ones added through destination development are not sustained and stewarded, there is little point in destination development.
These two approaches go along with historic preservation of buildings that can be restored and reused and structures such as historic churches that can be repurposed for other uses, plus the preservation of forested and natural lands to maintain their scenic beauty and appeal as outdoor recreation environments. Recycling is also a part of these approaches.
Sustainability also extends to destination operations to generate and maintain sustainable, diversified funding sources and other prudent policies. And even crisis management plans and succession plan support maintaining a sustainable destination.
To get a handle on sustainability, evaluate each decision, operation, and facility as to the level to which is support a sustainable destination. Can a more environmentally sound decision be made? Is this the most prudent use of funds? Can this operation be done more efficiently without hurting the quality? Can we use solar power to cut operational costs? Are there other means by which we can impact our overall cost structure?
These and other questions must be posed and answered on an ongoing basis and an annual overall assessment performed to align each and every expenditure and task with the sustainability of the overall organization. Once this process is put in place, it will become common place in a year or two. Stay vigilant and soon sustainability will be a matter-of-fact part of decision making and all will be better for it.
