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Tybee Island…. “The Southeast’s Eco-Friendly Beach Get-away”. Site Description. 18 miles from Savannah, Georgia 4 hours from Atlanta Population of 4,000 2.7 square miles East side of the island is beachfront, with hotels West side is wetlands. Goals and Objectives.
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Tybee Island… “The Southeast’s Eco-Friendly Beach Get-away”
Site Description • 18 miles from Savannah, Georgia • 4 hours from Atlanta • Population of 4,000 • 2.7 square miles • East side of the island is beachfront, with hotels • West side is wetlands
Goals and Objectives • Ensure sustainable and profitable tourism growth • Preserve the “sense of place” • Maintain the natural environment • Educate locals and tourists about the natural environment • Create easy access for tourists and locals
History • In the 1920’s Tybee was one of the largest resort towns in the Southeast because it was a short train or boat ride from Savannah • Tybee experienced a period of mass tourism • The TybrisaPavillion was the island’s most popular destination • famous crystal ball, dime dances, and big bands • The island was opened to automobile traffic and the way of life on the island changed. • When the TybrisaPavillion burned down in 1967, tourism began it’s decline • The few historical landmarks still standing include the Tybee Island Lighthouse, Fort Screven and Fort Pulaski National Monument
Sense of Place • Community - The locals of Tybee Island recognize tourism’s key role in their economy. These people are therefore the perfect hosts for visitors. They are welcoming and helpful to tourists. • Environment - The wetlands give an opportunity for the locals and tourists to view the different ecosystems on the island. The beaches provide a place for the locals and tourists to relax and enjoy nature. • Culture - Tybee Island is home to many local artists and local galleries can be found downtown. • Downtown - The traditional downtown areas of Tybee are mixed-use, pedestrian friendly places for people to go for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Current Tourism Inventory • Accommodations • Attractions –Lighthouse, Tybee Pier and Pavillion, Fort Screven and Fort Pulaski • Environmental Resources – beaches, wetlands • Transportation – no public transportation
Sustainable Practices • Strive to become Blue Flag Beach certified • From 1915 to 1925 Tybee Island lost over 600 feet of beach front because of dredging and Savannahs port. • Create a bus-trolley route throughout the island for locals and tourists. • Implement sustainable practices within the existing resorts and hotels • Create tax incentives for the adoption of green initiatives. • Provide information centers for locals and tourists on Tybee Island.
Blue Flag Beaches • Environmental Education and Information • Environmental Management • Water Quality • Safety and Services
Public Transportation • Currently there is no public transportation on the island. • We are going to create a comprehensive bus-trolley route throughout the island to minimize the use of cars on the island. • A coach bus will be available for workers and tourists to travel to Savannah which is only 18 miles away. • Also, we will extend the bike path to the entire island which will allow visitors and locals to enjoy Tybee Island’s beauty.
Hotels and Resorts • Install energy efficient light blubs • Water efficient shower heads, toilets, and sinks • More windows to provide more heating from the sun • New efficient air conditioners or a comparable alternative for cooling • Give information about how often guests need to clean towels and sheets to minimize water use for towels and sheets • Buy locally for the restaurants in the hotels • Better insulation for the entire hotel • Green Globe Certifications
Old Tybee and New Tybee “Can’t think of a single redeeming thing to say about this dump. No refrigerator, no microwave, slow running drains…”
Community Development • To benefit the community and tourists, we will create eco-tours by bike of the island including the wetlands, beaches, and historical attractions on the island. • Add environmental and sustainability information to the existing Visitor Center (located along the bus and bike routes). • Locals will be employed to run the eco-tours and the information centers. • Recycling and composting will be implemented on the entire island with designated waste areas run by locals.
Collaborative Organizations • Community Development Department • Beach Task Force and Coastal Environmental Organization (CEO) of Georgia – assistance in the satisfying of Blue Flag criteria • Tybee Island Planning and Zoning Committee • Bus route, bike route, hotel renovations
Visitor Management Practices • It is important that we preserve Tybee Islands sense of place by limiting the number of tourists while making a profit. • Limit the bed base on the island by renovating resorts and hotels in a sustainable fashion rather than building new ones. • Limit the number of visitor cars allowed on the island. • Provide buses to the beach and information centers.
Conclusion • Increase the level of sustainability • Preserve the sense of place • Createpublic transportation options • Easier access to Savannah • Promote Tybee Island as an eco-friendly destination