ibis Sydney Darling Harbour, NSW. Photo Credit: Accor Pacific
Making the most of your certification
Ecotourism Australia is proud to support all of our Certified Operators. We encourage you to make the most of your certification and work with us as we strive to raise the profile of certification within our industry.
Key Benefits
- Amplify your visibility through our partnerships with Tourism Australia, the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW), the Big Red Group (Red Balloon, Adrenaline and Adventure Oz sites), Accommodation Australia, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, Queensland Tourism Industry Council and the Victorian Tourism Industry Council.
- Be recognised as a sustainable business on platforms like Booking.com and Google, attracting eco-conscious travellers to book your property.
- Showcase your certification to international buyers through the Tourism Trade Checklist under our partnership with the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC).
- Access incentives and rewards in national parks and protected areas through our collaboration with other key industry groups and Protected Area Management partners.
- Get featured on Ecotourism Australia’s communications channels and gain access to our 26,000+ followers on social media and 5,000+ newsletter subscribers.
- Get listed on the Green Travel Guide, our online search engine showcasing all our certified tourism operators and destinations.
- Gain access to government grants and promotion and depending on where you operate, you may be eligible to apply for and obtain longer permits and licences for operations within protected areas and parks.
- Improve your eligibility and chances of winning prestigious tourism awards.
- Obtain support to maintain your certification while you rebuild if you have been impacted by climate disasters, including bushfires, floods and cyclones.
Industry Recognition
Our certification is recognised by major platforms, including Travalyst, a global initiative offering sustainable insights guiding travellers to make informed choices. As one of just 49 approved global certification schemes, ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified Operators (excluding Nature Tourism level) will be highlighted through global platforms such as Booking.com, Google, Expedia, Trip.com, Tripadvisor, Amadeus, Sabre, Skyscanner, Travelport, Visa and Mastercard.
Certification recognised and rewarded by international organisations:
Eligibility: ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified hotels (excluding Nature Tourism level)
Benefits: Google has introduced a way for certified hotel owners to highlight their sustainability practices to environmentally-conscious consumers. Due to our rigorous certification criteria, ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certification are among a selection of highly regarded certification programs worldwide approved by Google.
Booking.com
Eligibility: ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified accommodation providers including hotels, boutique accommodation, motels, caravan parks etc. (excluding Nature Tourism level)
Benefits: ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified accommodations listed on Booking.com now display the Sustainable Travel Badge – an easy way for travellers to identify sustainable properties. Ecotourism Australia is eligible as the criteria in our programs are recognised globally.
Travalyst
Eligibility: ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified operators (excluding Nature Tourism level)
Benefits: Through this recognition, ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified Operators (excluding Nature Tourism level) will be highlighted through global platforms such as Booking.com, Google, Expedia, Trip.com, Tripadvisor, Amadeus, Sabre, Skyscanner, Travelport, Visa and Mastercard. This recognition not only raises our Certified Operators’ profiles but also assists travellers in making responsible, informed choices.
Certification recognised and rewarded by national and state organisations:
Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW)
Eligibility: ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified operators and businesses.
Benefits: ATDW is Australia’s online marketplace for tourism information, assisting tourism operators and businesses to improve their digital presence and supporting over 50,000 tourism profiles. ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified businesses with an ATDW listing can display their certification on their listing.
Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC)
Eligibility: ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified businesses.
Benefits: ECO Certification is the only certification program that is recognised by ATEC. Complete the Tourism Trade Checklist as a certified business to showcase your certification on the ATEC Seller Directory to international buyers.
Big Red Group
Eligibility: ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified operators and businesses.
Benefits: Big Red Group is the largest marketplace of experiences in Australia and New Zealand and home to leading brands including Adrenaline, Experience Oz, Experience Oz Local Agent, and RedBalloon. ECO and Sustainable Tourism Certified operators with a Big Red Group listing can display their certifications to help eco-conscious travellers find and
book with your business.
Tourism Tribe
Ecotourism Australia has entered an affiliate partnership agreement with Tourism Tribe to support training in digital and business improvement. Many of our operators are small businesses, and the opportunity to provide them greater access to training to support their business operations is very important.
Tourism Tribe Discount Offer
Eligibility: Ecotourism Australia Members and Certified Operators
Benefit: Members and Certified Operators receive 20% discount on Tourism Tribe platform access.
Eligibility: Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard holders and certification applicants
Benefit: Members and Certified Operators receive 10% discount on Tourism Tribe platform access.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Partnership
Eligibility: ECO, Sustainable Tourism, ROC or Climate Action Certified businesses based in Queensland.
Benefits: Under this agreement, the cross recognition between programs means that you are eligible to redeem accreditation through the Quality Tourism Accredited Business (QTAB) program through QTIC at no additional cost, and take advantage of the program’s valuable benefits including free Shiji ReviewPro access, automatic eligibility for nomination in the Queensland Tourism Awards, and many more.
National Park and Protected Area Permits
Ecotourism Australia collaborate with all national parks across Australia, with most of the Protected Area Managers (PAMs) being members of Ecotourism Australia. ECO Certified operators benefit from this relationship by being recognised and rewarded by receiving reduced licence and permit fees if they are certified.
State
Certification
Benefits
QLD
ECO
Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service
Certification is required for operators in Queensland who hold a 15-year Commercial Activity Agreement for guided tours in:
- K’gari – Fraser Island Recreation Area
- Great Sandy Marine Park (whale watching)
- Springbrook National Park (glow worm tours)
Find out more about QPWS at www.parks.des.qld.gov.au
QLD
ECO
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)
- 20 year permits to operators on the Reef certified at the Ecotourism or Advanced Ecotourism levels and recognise and promote them as High Standard Tourism Operators.
- For your staff to participate in the Master Reef Guide program you must hold current ECO Certification
Find out more about GBRMPA at www2.gbrmpa.gov.au
WA
ECO
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Access to 1-, 3- or 5-year licences for Nature Tourism certified operators
- Access to 7-year licences for Ecotourism certified operators
- Access to 10-year licences for Advanced Ecotourism certified operators
- Tour operators offering “swim with” experiences must be Ecotourism or Advanced Ecotourism certified.
Find out more about Western Australia’s, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions at www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/
NSW
ECO
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Certified operators are eligible for a 10% discount on their annual licence fee.
Find out more about NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
NT
ECO & ROC
National Parks – Northern Territory
- Certification is mandatory for Parks Australia parks (Kakadu National Park and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park). ECO and ROC certified operators in Uluṟu and Kakadu can apply for a 3-year standard land-based permit (in addition to 1 year permit).
Find out more about Northern Territory National Parks at www.northernterritory.com
SA
ECO, CA & ROC
National Parks & Wildlife Service South Australia
- 3-year Commercial Tour Operator Licence for Nature Tourism and Climate Action operators
- 5-year Commercial Tour Operator Licence for Ecotourism, Advanced Ecotourism and ROC operators
Find out more about National Parks & Wildlife Service South Australia and start planning your next visit www.parks.sa.gov.au
TAS
ECO
Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service
- Products operating in Tasmanian National Parks are required to hold accreditation. ECO Certification is one of the recognised programs.
Find out more about Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife at www.parks.tas.gov.au
VIC
ECO & STC
Parks Victoria
- ECO (excluding Nature Tourism level) and Sustainable Tourism Certification can access a 10-year national park licence.
- Nature Tourism Certification can access 5-year national park licences.
Find out more about Parks Victoria at www.parks.vic.gov.au
Things you can do right now
1.
Display your certification logo
You have worked hard for your certification – show your guests, media, and industry all that you do to strive for a sustainable operation! Include your certification logo in your advertisements, feature it on your website, display it on your vehicles and in your guest information, and mention your certification in media briefings. For guidance refer to the Communications Toolkit you received when you were certified.
2.
Send us your news to share
Did you know that Ecotourism Australia has a monthly email newsletter? Send your media releases or updates to eco@ecotourism.org.au and we will feature them in our ‘Member News’ section, sent out to over 5,000 subscribers.
3.
4.
Get involved in our case studies
We are always searching for best practice sustainability stories to share with our audience. If you have sustainability initiatives that you are proud of and want to share, contact eco@ecotourism.org.au for the opportunity to be part of a case study.
5.
Maximise your Green Travel Guide listing
Your certification entitles you to a free basic listing on our online Green Travel Guide – a searchable database of Certified Operators and Destinations.
All Certified Operators receive a Bronze Listing including:
- 1-3 images
- Your business address, region and phone number
- A link to your website
- Business description and experience type
- Certification logo(s)
- Sustainability Commitment and Accessibility Details
- Product listing with product descriptions (certified products only)
- Shiji ReviewPro Widget – Note: Your Shiji ReviewPro score may appear as zero until your business has sufficient reviews to produce data. Please talk to the Ecotourism Australia team to opt out of ReviewPro’s services at eco@ecotourism.org.au.
Note: To amplify your listing on the Green Travel Guide, Certified Operators have the option to upgrade from a Bronze to a Silver Listing for $199. Contact the team to find out how.
Green Travel Leaders (10+ years of continuious certification) receive a Silver Listing including:
- Business Logo and header banner image
- 1-6 images
- Your business address, region and phone number
- A link to your website
- Business description and experience type
- Certification logo(s)
- Sustainability Commitment and Accessibility Details
- Product listing with descriptions including product images (certified products only)
- Shiji ReviewPro Widget
Hall of Fame (20+ years of continuious certification) receive a Gold Listing including:
- Business Logo and header banner image
- Unlimited images
- Your business address, region and phone number
- A link to your website
- Business description and experience type
- Certification logo(s)
- Sustainability Commitment and Accessibility Details
- Product listing with descriptions including product images (certified products only)
- Option to include a video
- Shiji ReviewPro Widget
Did you know?
International studies show that travellers are increasingly looking for more sustainable travel options.
Talk to us to find out how we can help you amplify your sustainability story.
6.
Advertise jobs for free
Did you know we have a careers page? Job listings are free for Ecotourism Australia certified businesses and destinations. Send the Ecotourism Australia team an email including the job title, job description, application due date (if applicable), link or email address to apply, and a high-quality image of your logo.
7.
Bring your supply chain on your sustainability journey
Encourage your supply chain to complete Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard to receive an insight into their sustainability practices and expert recommendations from the Ecotourism Australia team.
8.
Have your say on our strategic direction
Want to take a representative role in Australia’s nature-based, eco and sustainable tourism industry? Your certification grants you full voting rights and the right to nominate and/or stand for election to Ecotourism Australia’s Board of Directors. This election is held at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year. Keep an eye out on our social media channels or email communications for notices for nomination periods and AGM dates.
9.
Network at our conferences and events
Ecotourism Australia’s events bring together leading speakers on ecotourism, sustainability and responsible tourism, as well as tourism operators, protected area managers, tourism organisations, Indigenous bodies and researchers. Attend an Ecotourism Australia event and create opportunities for business-to-business and business-to-government collaboration, focused on practical and applied eco and sustainable tourism.
10.
Get help with your award nominations and grant applications
Did you know that Ecotourism Australia can provide referral letters to Certified Operators? You can also use your certification as proof that your business meets the ‘Business Standards’ criteria, utilise audit comments and application examples in your submissions, and access additional hints and tips, such as sustainability webinars. Contact us to find out more.
11.
Let us connect you with international markets
We attend the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) and ATEC’s Meeting Place each year to represent our Certified Operators and promote your products to international buyers. Be sure to catch up with our team while you are there!
12.
Add to your certification
Since 2017, our Eco Guide Certification Program has been managed by our partners at Savannah Guides. This arrangement means Eco Guides receive access to greater recognition and benefits including:
- Internationally recognised Eco Guide logo ensuring easy identification and serving as a guarantee for visitors that guides are dedicated to delivering high-quality nature tourism experiences.
- Training providers gain a benchmark of best practice tour guiding.
- Opportunity to list job openings free on our careers page.
Discounts are available for businesses that wish to have 5+ guides certified in the Eco Guide program.
Brands who trust us
