Sustainability stories

Sustainability has become a key issue for the attractions business, driven by rising worldwide concern about climate breakdown and the need to address the consequences for the natural world. Many attractions are actively implementing green measures to reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. Visitors are also increasingly favouring attractions which operate sustainably. Visitor attractions are adopting a wide variety of different practices to reduce their impact on the environment throughout their operations. This might range from ensuring that their buildings are sustainable, installing renewable energy sources or selecting suppliers with science-based emissions reduction targets; to embedding sustainability in the visitor experience, for example, by decreasing plastic waste, such as single-use cups and straws, and offering environmentally responsible dining options, such as vegan menus. PortAventura World, for example, has made its entire resort carbon-neutral. It has set a standard for sustainable tourism in Europe. It offsets 100% of its direct emissions and has eliminated plastics as part of its commitment to sustainability. The California Academy of Sciences aims to be the greenest museum in the world and holds a platinum LEED accreditation. The Renzo Piano-designed museum opened in 2008. It has many environmental features, including a 2.5-acre Living Roof which is home to around 1.7 million plants. Furthermore, the Qiddiya giga project in Saudi Arabia is set to be the biggest entertainment city on the planet. This development prioritises waste management, water consumption, and biodiversity. Blooloop runs the annual greenloop conference which champions sustainability in visitor attractions. Dominic Hare, CEO of Blenheim, comments: “greenloop is a must-attend event, crossing boundaries to bring together really thought-provoking insights and ideas around the way visitor attractions can not only minimise their environmental impact on the planet but also act as catalysts for positive change.”