The Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development Laboratory presents the ARISTA, for notable achievement in Sustainable Tourism.

The ARISTA is a new recognition to be presented to one organization in each of three geographic areas: Rhode Island, New England and USA. This prize will be awarded in September 2009 to an agency, non-governmental organization or business for its project or program demonstrating the implementation of sustainable tourism practices.

“This new recognition comes with a $250.00 cash prize and trophy for each of the three geographic areas. It will reward those individuals, groups or agencies that work to integrate environmental, social, historical, cultural and economic planning in their tourism development work,” said Billington.

The Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development Laboratory, established in 2005, is certified in Tourism Governance under the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO.org) as a program of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC). The BVTC was established in 1985 and has recently been recognized in Destination Development worldwide by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC.org).

The mission of the Sustainable Tourism Laboratory (Sustainabletourismlab.com) is to help any community intent on doing so, to develop tourism in a sustainable way. Using the principles of Civic Tourism, Geotourism and Sustainable Tourism, the Sustainable Tourism Laboratory works to share its knowledge and expertise with other tourism communities.

To apply for or to nominate an organization for ARISTA, visit www.sustainabletourismlab.com, or write to:
Blackstone Valley Visitor Center
175 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Or call the Sustainable Laboratory at 401-724-2200
C: Dr. Robert Billington