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Responsible Tourism: Zion Canyon Shuttle System

2/16/2014

6 Comments

 
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Anyone who has visited Zion National Park in the Spring or Summer will note the number of cars waiting to access the park.  If you have visited the park during the peak season you will have observed the difficulty in finding parking spaces located along the narrow canyon road.  

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Beginning in 2000, the National Park System implemented a free shuttle system to eliminate the over-crowding within the 6 mile loop that provides access along the narrow canyon floor. Zion National Park welcomes over 2.5 million visitors every year, most of who arrive during the months of March through October.

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Unlike many shuttle systems, visitors do not need to come to the main visitor center to board the shuttle system. The Zion Canyon Shuttle picks up at 6 locations within the town of Springdale, Utah and brings them to the Visitor Center. The visitors may then board the buses for the loop through the park after paying their admission fees to the park. Visitors may get on or off as many times as they like sightseeing at 8 key locations within the park.

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The shuttle uses “clean fuel” to minimize air pollution. During the shuttle service season, private cars are not allowed within the park.

This effort is an illustration of the integration into Springdale’s local economy and the sustainable resource use. Additionally, the web site for shuttle system goes a bit further with encouragement for responsible tourism. Check out their recommendations at their website:

http://www.nps.gov/zion/naturescience/green-travel.htm

Zion National Park is an excellent illustration of the cornerstones for fair trade and responsible tourism. 

  • Fair Working Conditions: The buses are accessible for people who are working within Zion National Park or in the town of Springdale without charge. Therefore employees do not have to drive their cars or block parking spaces that should be used by tourists visiting the area.
  • Fair Prices: Regardless of where a tourist stays within Springdale (campground or hotel), they are free to use the shuttle system at no charge.
  • Integration Into the Local Economy and Regional Development: The shuttle is not limited to within the park itself, but rather picks up and drops off tourists at numerous stops within the town of Springdale. This eliminates cars from driving from a local campground or hotel to the parking lot at the Zion National Park Visitor's Center.  It also makes it more convenient to take the shuttle bus out to the restaurants and grocery stores within Springdale.
  • Fair Trade Partnerships Between All Actors in Tourism: Since the use of the shuttle buses does not require a fee or ticket, this encourages the tourists to spend their dollars at the local businesses.  
  • Sustainable Resource Use and Environmental Justice: The shuttle buses utilize "clean fuel" this has improved the air quality in the canyon areas.  The elimination of cars and their exhaust, has not only improved air quality but has improved access to the very popular sights within the park and encouraged visitors to stop at a variety of areas within the park. This has improved the overall tourist experience for everyone visiting the park. 


6 Comments

International & Sustainable Tourism Awareness Blogs

2/9/2014

27 Comments

 

Introduction:

The following blogs have been developed by the students in my PRT 5610/6610 Social Media and International Tourism Course at the University of Utah during Spring 2014.  Please check out these blogs and feel free to leave comments and suggestions for improvement.

Human Rights & International Tourism Blogs:

  • Becca Horak: http://thebeccablog.weebly.com/
  • Katie Sikkema: http://katiesikkema.weebly.com/
  • Dylan Stokes: http://dylanhstokes.weebly.com/
  • Renee Thirkell: http://reneetravel.weebly.com

Native Cultures & International Tourism Blogs:

  • Simon Huang: http://gejianghuangtravel.weebly.com/ 
  • Casey Madsen: http://nepalculturechange.blogspot.com/
  • Raena McGlochlin: http://caribbeanlocalsfirst.weebly.com/
  • Ken Williams: http://onecoldtourist.weebly.com

Natural Disasters & International Tourism Blogs

  • Tanner Andresen: http://travelindo.weebly.com/
  • Rachel Farr: http://ifwritingwerelikefootball.blogspot.com/
  • Nate Olson: http://nateolson.weebly.com/
  • Steven Rath: http://tsunamirecoveryinjapan.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-name-is-steve-rath.html

Responsible Travel & International Tourism Blogs

  • Stuart Derman: http://www.stuartderman.com/the-digital-vagabond.html
  • Dave Forsman: http://daveforsman.weebly.com/
  • Vanessa Gregory: http://vanessagregory.weebly.com/
  • Eric Larsen: http://www.ericlarsen.weebly.com
  • Jeanette Murugui: http://jeanettemurugi.weebly.com/

Safety & International Tourism Blogs

  • Matthew Bird: http://matthewjbird.weebly.com/
  • Spencer Hackett: http://dufflebagtraveler.blogspot.com/
  • Dallas Harlan: http://mdallasharlan.weebly.com/
  • Jessica Nebecker: http://jessicanebeker.weebly.com/travel-blog-the-healthy-traveler.html

Sustainability & International Tourism Blogs

  • Kari Barnard: http://theoutbackupfront.weebly.com/
  • Tony Church: http://tonycuofutah.weebly.com/
  • Sarah Morris: http://sarahmorris.weebly.com
  • Abigail White: http://www.greensplore.weebly.com
27 Comments

Save the Rhinos

4/26/2013

5 Comments

 
The final project in my PRT 5610/6610 International Tourism course required the students to create an infographic or video to conclude the public awareness campaign.  I would like to share with you one video created by Sean McKenna.  I commend him for his adventure into the world of video.  Check it out right here or on YouTube.com . . . 
5 Comments

Check out the Resort Manager's Digest

4/24/2013

6 Comments

 
 Lily Tomlin
The top news story for April 24th features Lily Tomlin "speaks for elephants."

Check out the Resort Manager's Digest Today
no registration required ~ Free!

Promo
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TripAdvisor Launches GreenLeaders, Just in Time for Earth Day - Find more articles like this at the Resort Manager's Digest.
More features in today's edition from:
  • National Geographic
  • Travel & Leisure
  • Disney Parks
  • Walt Disney World
  • Guardian Travel
  • TechCrunch
  • Nasa
  • and many more
6 Comments

Creating Infographics to Promote Awareness

4/17/2013

6 Comments

 
Earth Day 2013 logo
What are you doing to save the earth?
Earth day 2013 is just a little over 4 days away.  The date coincides with the last day of my International Tourism course, so I wanted to ensure that we made one last attempt to generate awareness for each of the issues my students have been working on this semester. The last assignment will be the creation of an infographic.  

In preparation for the last assignment, I prepared an outline for the students regarding the creation of an infographic. First, I created an infographic focused on Saving the Clouded Leopard. Second, I demonstrated how to make an infographic using Piktochart.com . . . Check it out below and let me know how you might improve it. 


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6 Comments

Stop the Trafficking of Humans

4/10/2013

6 Comments

 
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I love this photo . . . we need to ensure that people know that human slavery continues to exist. We need to stop the trafficking of human beings, particularly children.
Trafficking in Human Beings and Human Slavery not only exists today, it has increased 18% between 2008 and 2010.  Due to the illegal nature of the activity it is difficult to obtain accurate statistics, but it is estimated nearly 21 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking (2012 statistics from the International Labor Organization). 


Please check out this video entitled "One woman's story of the horrors of human trafficking" features Somaly Mam. When Somaly was sold into slavery when she was just 12 years old.  Unfortunately, her grandfather sold her into a series of "owners" who forced her to work in brothels in Southeast Asia.  When tourists visit many of the areas in Southeast Asia they engage in prostitution falsely believing that the people working in these brothels do so willingly.  You can be part of the solution by NOT participating in these types of activities.  
6 Comments

Saving the Clouded Leopard Infographic

3/15/2013

5 Comments

 
Help save the clouded leopard infographic
This infographic was designed with Piktochart.com to illustrate how to create an infographic.
5 Comments

    Author: Linda Ralston

    This blog is authored by Dr. Linda Ralston with the intent of educating tourists on how to be responsible and sustainable in their travel experiences. Check out the latest news with the Resort Manager's News . . . a free paper updated daily.

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    Linda Ralston

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