Combining a range of enticing attractions with a strong commitment to sustainability, Scenic World, located in the breathtaking Blue Mountains of New South Wales, serves as a model for responsible tourism in a World Heritage-listed destination.
Scenic World offers iconic experiences that immerse visitors in the region’s natural beauty. The Scenic Railway, known as the world’s steepest railway, transports visitors deep into the Jamison Valley to explore the rainforests while minimising the environmental impact of visitor access.
In June 2024, Scenic World celebrated a significant milestone by achieving Hall of Fame status for maintaining ECO Certification for 20 years, demonstrating their exceptional dedication to sustainable tourism.
Ecotourism Australia has certified over 2,000 tours, attractions, and accommodations across Australia. While more than half of its Australian members have maintained their certification for over a decade, only 11% have achieved Hall of Fame status, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability in their ecotourism efforts.
Anthea Hammon, Managing Director of Scenic World, highlighted the significance of this milestone:
“Our Advanced Ecotourism Certification pushes us to always do better, be better and think better about protecting the incredible environment we are surrounded by and to continually improve and evolve our sustainability efforts. And, because we welcome over a million visitors every year, we are especially proud to have reached 20 years of Advanced Ecotourism Certification, something we do not take for granted.”
Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Certification program offers operators essential tools for business development, empowering them to showcase their commitment to sustainability. It promotes ongoing accountability for long-term sustainability goals through regular audits and reporting that align with global standards for sustainable tourism, covering aspects like business sustainability and environmental, social, and cultural impacts.
As an outstanding leader in nature-based tourism, with Advanced Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia, Scenic World emphasises energy efficiency in its Scenic Railway and Cableway operations. A significant upgrade to the Skyway in 2017 enhanced its capacity while maintaining energy consumption, showcasing a strong commitment to sustainable practices.
Scenic World also utilises solar power to reduce its carbon footprint, with 350 solar panels offsetting approximately 120 tonnes of CO2 annually – equivalent to removing 25 cars from the road. Waste management is a key focus; the facility uses a Pulpmaster system to sustainably manage organic waste, diverting around 50 tonnes from landfill each year for composting. All food packaging on this World Heritage site is either biodegradable or compostable. Additionally, Scenic World prioritises partnerships and community engagement by collaborating with the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute to support local conservation initiatives, including wildlife monitoring and archaeological surveys.
By successfully integrating iconic attractions and continuously improving sustainability practices, Scenic World offers a guilt-free visitor experience while contributing to the preservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To discover more about Scenic World, you can find them on the Green Travel Guide.