Whitefish Sustainable Tourism Management Plan Standing Committee

Sustainable Tourism Management Plan Standing Committee August 20, 2024 @ 2:00 P.M. City Council Conference Room Minutes 1) Call To Order Brian Schott called the meeting to order. Members present were Heather Cauffman, Stephen Kane, Ella Kobelt, Michelle Howke, Julie Mullins – Executive Director for Explore Whitefish, Elizabeth Colley, Mark Pascoli, and Matt Gebo Mariah Joss was absent. 2) Approval of July 16, 2024, Minutes Stephen made a motion, seconded by Mark to approve the minutes. 3) Discussion – Whitefish participation in Tavel Beyond, 100 Solutions on World Tourism Day (September 27, 2024 Explore WF participating in the UN World Tourism Day, talking about collecting the 1% CSF (50% towards Community Housing) fund, gather solutions from other tourism destination locations. Brian will keep the committee pressed for the outcome. Sustainability has gotten confusing in terms of definition. Explore WF is working through it, and networking at the UN World Tourism Day. 4) Review Action #6 – Green Business Award Do we want to do this? Discuss timing. Earth Day possibility of linking together. What do you see coming out of it. Mark - hope not to bunch of time, get parameters, submit nominees. Give business parameters to work on. Best practices in lodging – hospitality/hotel naturally wasteful, cleaning stuff more often. Recycling is very limited. Little efforts go a long way. Expect not to have new towels every day. Heather- incentivizes with happy hour drink. Julie, motels going with bulk soaps, shampoo, conditioners. Matt others motion detector lights, charging stations for electric vehicles. Vision categories in terms of lodging, restaurant and retail. Good idea, levels playing field across the board. Application, online google form, US Travel Association – The Journey to Clean, guideline for travel industry be a good resource. Brian will circulate information for Green Business Awards. 5) Review Community Meeting Planning – October 16th @ City Hall Lodging – General Managers – Edna, Paul or Daniel w/Averill, Alex Hopkins with Grouse Mtn. Lodge, Lisa Brown w/Town Place Suites, Kent Taylor for B&Bs, -STR Company (Stumptown Après) Late Travel Trends Lack of Predictability Winter Outlook – talk about weather, Bob Ambrose potential panel member. Matt and Nick serve on a panel to talk winter weather, etc. Glacier Aero talk about flight loads. – Kevin Gartland is Whitefish representative on the board. Community engagement – write questions prior discussion and add on questions. 6) Public Comment – None Julie Mullins reported recent data report. July – Lodging 71% occupancy – flat to 2023; YTD 52.5% occupancy as a city. Market report coming out 8/20 – refer to the report. 7) Next Meeting: September 17, 2024 8) Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 3:21 pm.