JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa achieves Sustainable Tourism Certification
Ecotourism Australia proudly recognises JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa as the first Marriott International property in Queensland to achieve Sustainable Tourism Certification, meeting globally recognised standards covering their environmental, socio-economic and cultural performance.
“We’re proud to have achieved Sustainable Tourism Certification at JW Marriott Gold Coast, a reflection of our ongoing commitment to sustainable hospitality. We’ve woven responsible practices into the very fabric of our operations – from our on-site beehive and worm farm to the JW Garden that supplies fresh produce to our kitchens to energy-reduction measures like LED light fixtures, rainwater irrigation, high-efficiency gas boilers and flow-restricted water tanks. We also have initiatives that guests can participate in like tree planting excursions and behind-the-scenes wildlife tours via our partner Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary,” said Ravinder Dhesi, General Manager at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa.
“Our certification marks a big step in the move towards a greener future. We look forward to continuing to measure, monitor and improve our environmental performance over time and finding new ways to do better for our guests, our community and the environment.”
Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan praised JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa for their proactive sustainability approach.
“Congratulations to JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa for taking this significant step on their sustainability journey. Their enthusiastic approach to embedding sustainability throughout all aspects of their business operations is a testament to their team.
“We are proud to recognise JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa as the second Marriott property in Australia to achieve Sustainable Tourism Certification, following Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel’s certification earlier this year. We look forward to our continued partnership with Marriott to certify more of their Australian properties in the coming years.”
This recognition highlights JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa’s leadership in sustainability, showcasing a variety of innovative projects to both reduce their environmental footprint and increase positive social impact. Key initiatives include the guest-accessible JW Garden, where organic waste from the kitchen is composted to produce nutrient-rich fertiliser for seasonally grown crops; housing a colony of native bees to assist in the pollination of the fresh produce; and reducing energy use through implementing LED light fixtures, rainwater irrigation, high-efficiency gas boilers and flow-restricted water tanks. Through their collaboration with Advanced ECO Certified operator Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa allows guests to further engage in conservation efforts via tree planting excursions and behind-the-scenes wildlife tours, aimed at raising funds for the sanctuary hospital’s programs.
Achieving global best-practice Sustainable Tourism Certification is a meticulous process, involving over 200 key criteria across four pillars of sustainability. Certification involves an initial third-party audit, followed by periodic independent audits to maintain certification and demonstrate ongoing commitment to responsible practices. Accommodation providers who have obtained Sustainable Tourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia are able to add their certification to their Booking.com listing, making demonstrating sustainability credentials easier than ever.
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Media contacts:
Ecotourism Australia – Myv Costelloe, Stakeholder Engagement Manager
e: myv@ecotourism.org.au
ph: (07) 3256 6777
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa – Hermina Liscevic, Account Director
e: hermina@themintpartners.com.au
ph: 0411 475 473
About Ecotourism Australia
Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports Australia’s visitor economy through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. Our legacy program – ECO Certification – was the world’s first national ecotourism certification program and the Sustainable Tourism Certification, launched in 2022 supports non-nature based businesses achieve global best-practice. Today there are some 2300 accommodation, tours and attractions certified by Ecotourism Australia. Ecotourism Australia is also a founding member of the Tourism Sustainability Certifications Alliance (TSCA), a global association for sustainable tourism established in January 2025. TSCA members are responsible for certifying more than 19,000 travel and tourism enterprises, organisations, and destinations across the globe – representing the largest cohort of certified operators worldwide.
About JW Marriott
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. JW Marriott is a tribute to the founder of Marriott International, J. Willard “J.W.” Marriott, who prioritized his own well-being so that he could take better care of others. Inspired by his approach to life and rooted in holistic well-being, JW Marriott properties offer a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole – present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit – through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are more than 125 JW Marriott hotels in 40 countries and territories worldwide that cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who come seeking experiences that help them be fully present, foster meaningful connections and feed the soul. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.