Two Australian ECO certified destinations, Coffs Coast and Central Coast both in New South Wales, have been recognised on the world stage after being announced as finalists in the Green Destinations’ Top 100 Stories 2022 competition.
Each year, certified destinations around the world submit their best stories to showcase how sustainable tourism development has guided the region to achieve positive environmental, social and cultural outcomes while managing threats and risks.
This is the second consecutive year the Central Coast has been named a finalist in the Top 100 Stories competition. Coffs Coast is debuting as a finalist this year.
“It is incredible to see the shift toward sustainable tourism in Australia and we are proud to see destinations across the country embracing sustainable and responsible tourism management. To see two destinations from Australia recognised in the Top 100 Stories list globally is outstanding,” said Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive Elissa Keenan.
The Coffs Coast’s sustainability story illustrated the success of the Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC) and its mission to connect travellers to the language and culture of the Gumbaynggirr Nation. Developing a range of award-winning Aboriginal tourism businesses and cultural experiences meant the corporation generated the funds to found New South Wales’ first school to teach both English and their local Indigenous language.
The Central Coast’s sustainability story depicted the rise of nature tourism in the region. Its natural assets are a key drawcard for tourism; however the region’s traditional tourism marketing had no nature focus. When they commenced their journey to ECO Destination Certification, the region committed to increasing interest in nature tourism while prioritising protection for long-term sustainability. In 2022, the Central Coast achieved ECO Destination Certification at the Nature Tourism level.
“It is invaluable to see the positive impact that protecting the natural environment and conserving culture has on destinations and their tourism industry. We are so happy to see these regions’ global best practice sustainability management, certified by Ecotourism Australia, recognised on an international scale by Green Destinations as leaders in Australia’s ecotourism space,” Ms Keenan said.
Through a partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Australia) following the devastating bushfires of 2019-2020, both the Central Coast and the Coffs Coast were two of the 10 financially supported regions to undertake the ECO Destination Certification program to help their regions build back better.
Based in the Netherlands, Green Destinations provide a framework recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) for sustainable destination management. The Green Destinations program is in five continents around the world. Ecotourism Australia works in partnership with Green Destinations to deliver the program in Australia and the South Pacific using the local badge “ECO Destinations”.
Their team of experts evaluate the impact each initiative has on the destination based on the Green Destinations Standard sustainability criteria. The finalists were announced at the eighth annual Green Destinations Top 100 Stories list unveiling as part of World Tourism Day 2022. Since the ECO Destination Certification program launched five years ago, destinations in the program have been receiving international recognition for their sustainability efforts by submitting their sustainability stories to Green Destinations.