Wednesday marks World Tourism Day, a day founded by the United Nations to promote the importance that the tourism industry has on the economy and community of places like Erie. 

This year is focused on "Green Investments," showcasing businesses and locations with massive benefits to the eco-system and environment - of which Erie has many.

"We're excited to be celebrating World Tourism Day, as are destinations around the world," said VisitErie CEO John Oliver. "And this year, they're focusing on sustainability, which I think is really important for Erie, because so much of our tourism product involves outdoors and the need to look at sustainability."

VisitErie highlighted just a handful of Erie's eco-friendly organizations and locations, with one of them being the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park, or L.E.A.F. Executive Director Erin Green tells us how her nonprofit keeps people coming to Erie's Frontier Park.

"We have recycling in the park, we take really great care of Cascade Creek, which is in the park," said Green. "So just being a good, outdoor environmental space for people to come and view nature."

But it's more than just outdoor-centric locations such as L.E.A.F. that are doing their part for eco-friendly tourism. The Erie Art Museum is making their venue more sustainable for the future.

We were careful about the types of light bulbs that we use," said Melanie Vadzemnicks, Development Director for the museum.

"All of our lights are on timers so that we're not using lights when they don't need to be used... We have a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Gold Certification. And so the way that this building was designed, the addition that opened in 2010 and the way that we continue our practices within the building follow that certification standard."

The following locations also earned recognition from VisitErie: 

  • Presque Isle State Park
  • Tom Ridge Environmental Center
  • Erie Zoo
  • Mazza Vineyards
  • Asbury Woods