The Blue Mountains region in rural New South Wales has achieved ECO Destination Certification with Ecotourism Australia, meeting global best practice sustainability standards, in time for World Wildlife Day.
The Blue Mountains is the third destination in New South Wales and sixth in Australia to announce ECO Destination Certification, with the Blue Mountains Regional Council leading the certification supported by Blue Mountains Tourism and NSW National Parks.
Meeting 90+ criteria to achieve ECO Destination Certification at the Ecotourism level, this certifies that a nature-based tourism destination has a strong commitment to ecotourism principles involving cultural and natural interpretation and education for visitors, and local business engagement in sustainability.
The ECO Destination Certification program was developed by Ecotourism Australia using the international Green Destinations standard recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and assesses across the four pillars of sustainability: sustainable management, environmental impact, socio-economic impact, and cultural impact. Destinations are audited onsite by a verified, independent auditor before Certification is awarded.
Ecotourism Australia CEO, Ms Elissa Keenan, said that sustainable tourism in the UNESCO World Heritage Listed area is essential. “Becoming one of the first regions to recognise the Rights of Nature in 2021and projecting net zero emissions by 2025, the Blue Mountains City Council has demonstrated leadership in protecting the natural environment which has strengthened their ECO Destination Certification application.
“The Blue Mountains’ commitment to continuously improving holistic destination and tourism sustainability through the ECO Destination Certification program is a significant achievement for local businesses, community and council. Congratulations on this achievement.”
The Blue Mountains is home to five businesses holding ECO Certification, with Tread Lightly Eco Tours entering Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame in 2020 for achieving over 20 years of certification.
WWF-Australia and Ecotourism Australia joined forces in 2020 to support bushfire-affected regions, such as the Blue Mountains, to recover and gain their ecotourism certification.
“The Blue Mountains is home to some of our most iconic landscapes, but it has also been hit by some of the most devastating fires in recent history,” said Darren Grover, WWF-Australia’s Head of Healthy Land and Seascapes.
“We’re thrilled to see the Blue Mountains bouncing back with such a strong focus on sustainability and tourism experiences that are good for people and nature.
“Ecotourism is the only way for many people to experience Australia’s amazing wildlife and wild places, so it’s vital that this industry is made as sustainable and nature positive as possible.”
WWF-Australia also supported three businesses in the region to achieve ECO Certification with Ecotourism Australia to support and encourage sustainable tourism and conscious traveller visitation from the ground up.
Blue Mountains City Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, stated, ““This Certification is a big win for Blue Mountains residents as it will lead to more environmentally conscious visitors coming to our region.
“These are visitors who are more likely to stay longer, explore more and in doing so, have a richer, more authentic visitor experience while making a far greater financial and emotional investment in the region.”
Learn more about our latest ECO Destination: https://greentravelguide.org/destination/blue-mountains
