Within the frames of the UN Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017, a Sustainable tourism conference for the Kaunas region in Lithuania was held on 23 November 2017.
The conference was initiated with a funny video interviewing people about their knowledge about sustainable tourism. Not surprisingly, many did not know the meaning of the word "Sustainability", so the conclusion after the video was that everyone working with sustainable tourism should explain the meaning of sustainability without necessarily mentioning the word.
The Ministry of Economy (Tourism Department) presented the sustainable tourism strategy in Lithuania as well as the figures for tourism in the Kaunas region. The representative encouraged conference participants to use 2018, as 100 years of Lithuania as a country, to promote sustainable tourism and the natural beauty of the country. Other tourism experts explained how sustainable tourism fits with the UN Sustainable Development goals.
In the conference, Green Key International Director, Finn Bolding Thomsen and National Operator, Renaldas Rimivicius had the opportunity to present Green Key with focus on the eligibility of the programme for small accommodations. The environmental manager at Green Key awarded Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Kaunas gave a presentation about the environmental and social work of the hotel leading to the Green Key award.
Finn Bolding Thomsen was also interviewed about Green Key for the regional TV station. The reporter wanted to know more about Green Key and the benefits of joining the programme as well as observations that Bolding Thomsen made about the Green Key awarded hotel where the conference was held.
For our Lithuanian speaking followers, click on the picture to see the interview with Bolding Thomsen by Init TV (starting at 21:00).