“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
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because it was a short train or boat ride from Savannah
Tybee experienced a period of mass tourism
The Tybrisa Pavillion 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 Tybrisa Pavillion 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 mixeduse, 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
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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
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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
 Create public transportation options
 Easier access to Savannah
 Promote Tybee Island as an eco-friendly destination