Endicott Students Conduct Mock Sustainability Audits in Cape Cod, Mass.
On April 13 and 14, Todd Comen, dean of Endicott College’s School of Hospitality Management, and students in his Sustainable Tourism (HTM 314) course, embarked on a very unique field trip to conduct sustainability audits at prominent Cape Cod venue, the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich, Mass.
Students in Comen’s class are currently practicing with audit tools comparable to those used by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international nonprofit organization that establishes and manages global sustainability standards. This experiential learning opportunity was conducted along with nonprofit organization, CARE for the Cape & Islands.
“Resorts are continuously improving product and service offerings, and attention to sustainability practices is another dimension of the total guest experience,” says Comen. “The Wequassett Resort and Golf Club is committed to ensuring the destination remains vibrant for future generations of guests. It was great to partner with this stunning resort and with CARE for the Cape & Islands to bring real-world experience to students studying hospitality management at Endicott."
Jill Talladay, director of CARE for the Cape & Islands, shares “Preserving and protecting Cape Cod’s natural environment is paramount to our economy and way of life. It’s so important that our business community is an active participant in ensuring our future, and this research will be valuable in encouraging others to become stewards like the Wequassett Resort.”
Alton Chun, the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club general manager, explains that this field trip experience is not only an on-property learning experience for students, but that it’s also as a chance for the resort to solicit feedback on its sustainability efforts.
Comen’s Sustainable Tourism course is reflective of Endicott’s model of experiential learning and the hands-on courses that permeate the College curriculum.
To learn more about hospitality management at Endicott, visit endicott.edu.