Going green does more than please the eco-friendly tourist - it could also grow the Tennessee tourism industry.

Tennessee tourism officials were in a Gatlinburg workshop on Wednesday working on a new checklist that will help determine whether or not a tourist activity can be certified as "green". This is part of Tennessee's new Sustainable Tourism Initiative, an effort that is focused on "...sustaining the environment, culture and heritage of a region while at the same time sustaining the economic growth through tourism," according to their website.

Tourism officials say they want businesses that get the "green" stamp of approval to do more than just own an environmentally friendly building. Preserving and protecting both the natural beauty of the land while encouraging Tennessee's growing tourism industry is their highest goal.

The tourism department should finalize its "green" certification standards by the end of the year.