Name: Tom Rhodes
Title: NC (North Carolina) GreenTravel Initiative Program Manager
Organization: North Carolina Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (NC DEACS)
Years with NC GreenTravel Initiative: Almost five years
Primary responsibilities: “I manage our website, write updates for Visit North Carolina newsletters, review applications for the NC GreenTravel program, visit businesses to present the program and talk about how to become a green destination. I coach applicants and provide technical assistance with our waste reduction partners.”
Program’s biggest accomplishment so far: “We are at 176 businesses in the NC GreenTravel Initiative, 64 of which are lodging establishments.”
Program’s biggest challenge moving forward: “When you work for a government entity, you are challenged with the financial aspects. We are limited with budgets.”
RALEIGH, N.C.—Later this year, the NC GreenTravel Initiative will turn five years old. It is very possible that 200 travel-related businesses in North Carolina will be participating in the program by that point. When the program launched toward the end of 2011, its focus was on hotels and restaurants. Today, led by Tom Rhodes, NC Green Travel Initiative Program Manager, many kinds of travel-related businesses have been recognized as green businesses—attractions, museums, parks, vacation rentals, convention centers, festivals and other travel-oriented establishments.
“Although I wear several ‘hats’, the majority of my workday involves tasks associated with the green travel program,” Rhodes says.
Businesses participating in the NC GreenTravel Initiative first fill out an application geared toward their type of business. There is even an application customized for breweries. There is no cost to participate. Applications are reviewed by Rhodes. While there is no mandatory site visit in order to become a certified business, Rhodes says there are 62 retirees in North Carolina who volunteer their time to do site assessments covering water, waste and energy. “They provide the service at no cost,” Rhodes says, adding that some of the volunteers previously worked for NC DEACS and now offer their services as a result of a partnership with Waste Reduction Partners.
Businesses Renew Every Three Years
Businesses certified as part of the NC GreenTravel Initiative must renew their status every three years. Rhodes says participants do not have to complete the entire application again; they just need to update it where needed.
When asked how businesses benefit from participating as green businesses, Rhodes said, “They receive a free listing on our website, along with a link to their website. They get door decals, window clings. They get a certificate from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and a free listing in the NC Travel Guide. We also feature businesses on our Facebook page.”
Businesses can reach one of three levels through the NC GreenTravel Initiative: one dogwood blossom, two dogwood blossoms, or three dogwood blossoms. Of the 64 certified lodging destinations (31 hotels, 33 B&Bs), 20 have achieved the three dogwood blossom rating, 34 have earned a two dogwood blossom rating, and 10 have earned one dogwood blossom.
Every year or so the application for becoming a certified business is updated. “We have been considering putting more narrative spots and reducing the number of check boxes,” Rhodes says. “We are considering downsizing the application.”
Strong Experience in Recycling
Rhodes, who has a 28 year background in sustainability, says at one time he worked as a commercial illustrator and graphic designer. “I started working as a recycling coordinator for local government in 1988. The more I got into sustainability and recycling, the more I wanted to learn.”
Today, he says, “I love getting out to meet people, learning their comments about the program, touring the participating hotels and learning new technology.”
When asked what changes he has seen in the lodging industry in recent years, Rhodes says, “In lodging I am seeing a stronger effort to green up. When I first started, a lot of hoteliers did not know what sustainability was. I am seeing a lot more interest now.”
On his wish list for lodging establishments? “I would like to see more EV charging stations,” Rhodes says. “I would like to see them purchase fleet vehicles that are either electric or hybrid.”
Go to NC GreenTravel.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
