Ottawa Tourism is taking a bold step forward in its commitment to sustainability, making it a cornerstone of its newest tourism strategy. This commitment will be showcased at IMEX America, a leading travel industry event held in Las Vegas from October 8-10. At the event, Canada’s capital city will spotlight its ongoing efforts to foster responsible tourism, particularly within the realm of large-scale conferences, conventions, and business events.
Ottawa has already taken significant strides in the sustainability arena this year. Several forward-thinking initiatives have been launched to minimize the environmental impact of business events, strengthen the local economy, and protect the city’s rich cultural heritage. One key initiative, introduced in May, is a food recovery program developed in partnership with La Tablée des Chefs, a renowned food charity. This program aims to combat food waste and food insecurity by equipping Ottawa’s large event venues with the resources to donate surplus food to local charities. As the first collaboration between La Tablée des Chefs and a destination organization, this program has already made a significant impact, diverting over 10,000 kilograms of food from waste and providing approximately 40,000 meals.
Ottawa Tourism’s sustainability efforts are deeply rooted in its broader Destination Stewardship Plan, developed in collaboration with various local stakeholders to benefit the entire community. This plan emphasizes sustainability and social responsibility through a triple bottom line approach to tourism development and management. This approach considers three key dimensions:
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The Planet:
A world where business events minimize their environmental footprint while maximizing the sustainable use of natural resources, crucial to tourism development.*
The People:
A setting where events contribute to preserving and sustaining local cultures by protecting both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, promoting traditional values, and fostering mutual understanding and tolerance across diverse cultures.*
Prosperity:
A framework in which local communities and businesses thrive through the benefits of events, enabling communities to retain their autonomy and gain financial resources to address their own needs.Ottawa Tourism is dedicated to advancing these principles by enhancing regenerative tourism experiences. As one of the 16 Canadian destinations involved in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-I), Ottawa is not only tracking its sustainability performance but also actively driving initiatives that foster sustainable growth and a long-lasting positive impact. “At Ottawa Tourism, we are committed to meeting – and even exceeding – expectations in sustainable meetings, events and tourism,” said Lesley Mackay, Ottawa Tourism’s Vice President, Meetings and Major Events. “We believe wholeheartedly in that making Ottawa a premier destination for environmentally responsible business events is how we can make a meaningful impact on both environmental and social fronts, towards the broader wellbeing of our community.”
IMEX America attendees can look forward to Ottawa sharing valuable insights on its path to achieving long-term sustainability. This vision extends beyond solely focusing on profit, taking into account the environmental, social, and economic costs and benefits. Ottawa strives to find a harmonious balance among these three areas to secure a sustainable future. Ottawa Tourism will further enhance its message through strategic storytelling and communication, reinforcing its commitment to minimizing tourism’s environmental impact, improving the quality of life for industry workers, and ensuring equitable profits for stakeholders, partners, and the local community.
