Vancouver appoints tourism energy specialist
Is this a first among tourism marketing and management organizations
Tourism Vancouver’s recent appointment of a tourism energy specialist is believed to be a worldwide first among destination marketing and management organizations. The role was made possible through sponsorship from BC Hydro clean energy initiative, with the mandate to guide member hotels, restaurants and attractions in energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.
The new tourism energy specialist role will enable Tourism Vancouver to actively support the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan and goal to be the world’s "greenest" city by 2020. The services of the tourism energy specialist will help Tourism Vancouver’s 1,000-plus member businesses to manage their energy and make financial savings.
A 2011 survey conducted by Capilano University on behalf of Tourism Vancouver found that 81 per cent of Tourism Vancouver member businesses were interested in the services of an energy specialist.
"As the destination marketing and management organization for Vancouver, respect and stewardship of our spectacular natural setting is important to us," said Paul Vallee, Tourism Vancouver’s executive vice president. "Our new tourism energy specialist position helps to ensure we’re conscious of our environmental footprint while doing our job to position Vancouver as one of the top destinations worldwide."
BC Hydro has partnered with Tourism Vancouver since 2008 to offer resources and education to member businesses, including funding the successful Ambassadors for Conservation Program. This year, Tourism Vancouver has been nominated for a BC Hydro Power Smart Excellence Award in the Conservation Partner category.
"Conservation and being smart with your power is the most environmentally friendly and least expensive way to meet future demand for electricity," said Lisa Coltart, executive director Power Smart, BC Hydro. "We expect demand to grow by about 50 per cent over the next 20 years. Energy management is an effective tool to help businesses be more energy-efficient and sustainable."
Vancouver-based Gwendal Castellan was hired to fill the role of tourism energy specialist. Castellan holds a Geography degree from the University of Victoria as well as a certificate in Sustainable Energy Management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Castellan is the former executive director of the Stanley Park Bike Festival, former vice president of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (now HUB), and produced and directed an award-winning film documenting his journey cycling from Patagonia to the Northwest Territories.
His role at Tourism Vancouver will include working with member businesses to identify conservation opportunities, striving to make Tourism Vancouver an energy conservation champion and supporting Vancouver’s "Spectacular, by nature" brand promise.
Valere Tjolle
BENEFIT FROM THE VISION GREEN TOURISM SPECIAL OFFER HERE
Valere
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season