Two Australian destinations have been recognised at the prestigious Global Green Destinations Story Awards, presented in Berlin overnight at ITB, the world’s leading travel trade show.
Coffs Coast was awarded third place in the Culture and Tradition Category, and both Coffs Coast and Central Coast were nominated in the People’s Choice Category in the global competition run by Green Destinations, Ecotourism Australia’s global partner.
Ecotourism Australia CEO, Ms Elissa Keenan commended the two regions for this outstanding achievement.
“Coffs Coast and Central Coast are two of our six ECO Certified Destinations in Australia, and we are immensely proud to see them recognised on the global stage.
“Being ECO Destination Certified recognises a regions’ commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. Our program covers the four pillars of sustainability of environmental, socio-economic, cultural and sustainable management.
“It is particularly powerful to see Coffs Coast recognised for their commitment to culture and tradition in their region and the wonderful story celebrating Indigenous tourism in the region,” she said.
Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC) CEO Mr Clark Webb said, “we are over the moon that our story was celebrated in Coffs Coast’s winning entry of this prestigious global award.
“We couldn’t quite believe that we were even nominated in the first place, so for the Coffs Coast to be finalist in this elite group of culture and tradition tourism stories from around the world is simply mind blowing.
“We’re honoured and proud that the story of our Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School and our cultural tourism businesses on the Coffs Coast can be told far and wide,” said Webb, who is also the owner-operator of Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, an ECO Certified business in the Coffs Coast region.
Both the Coffs Coast and Central Coast are committed to working with their operators and their community to increase sustainability initiatives, including promoting ECO Certification and Sustainable Tourism Certification, across their entire region.
The Coffs Coast’s winning entry is Two Path Strong which celebrates Aboriginal tourism on the Coffs Coast and the rich culture that has supported the establishment of the first bilingual school of an Aboriginal language in NSW – the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School (GGFS).
Coffs Coast was awarded ECO Destination certification in 2021, and Central Coast closely followed in 2022. Both destinations continue to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism practises across four pillars of sustainability.
Siobhan Shaw (Regional Manager, Destination NSW) received the award on behalf of Coffs Coast, awarded by Albert Salman (President, Green Destinations).
Siobhan Shaw (Regional Manager, Destination NSW) received the award on behalf of Coffs Coast, awarded by Albert Salman (President, Green Destinations). Image credit: Destination NSW.
About the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories
The Green Destinations Top 100 Stories is an annual competition that collects and celebrates initiatives from Destinations globally, inspiring responsible tourism leadership.
The Green Destinations Top 100 Stories has run annually since 2014, celebrating and promoting 100 destinations as inspiring examples for other destinations, tour operators and visitors.
Now more than ever, the tourism industry needs good practices and case studies. Good Practice Stories selected to the annual Top 100 list combines good practice elements with the power of storytelling.
Participating destinations also have to self-report on the Green Destinations Core Criteria, showing their compliance with the basics of sustainability performance, which provides a unique opportunity for a first step towards sustainability recognition.
Every year, Green Destinations’ jury of experts selects the most excellent stories from the Top 100 list to be nominated for the Green Destinations Story Awards, celebrated at ITB Berlin.