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Firescreek Botanical Winery recognised in a nation-wide first
Firescreek Botanical Winery in the Central Coast region of New South Wales has become Australia’s first ECO Certified winery experience. This recognition by Ecotourism Australia underscores Firescreek Botanical Winery’s commitment to globally recognised best-practice standards and highlights their leadership in eco and sustainable tourism. Based in a certified ECO Destination, this achievement illustrates a region wide effort to meet the increasing expectation of best-practice sustainable tourism experiences. “We are incredibly proud to receive this ecotourism certification,” said Nadia O’Connell, Owner of Firescreek Botanical Winery. “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability and our passion for protecting the environment. We believe that by practicing sustainable agriculture and following permaculture principles, we can create a positive impact on our community and inspire others to do the same.” Ecotourism Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Elissa Keenan, congratulated Firescreek on this achievement. “Firescreek Botanical Winery is the first winery in Australia to be awarded ECO Certification. Achieving global standard certification is a testament to their dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship, she said.” “This milestone not only highlights the national leadership as the first ECO certified winery in Australia but also reinforces the Central Coast’s status as a committed ECO Certified Destination.” ECO Tourism Certification assesses businesses, through third party auditing, against Ecotourism Australia’s internationally recognised ecotourism standard across the four pillars of sustainability: environmental, cultural, and socio-economic impact and sustainable business operations. Firescreek Botanical Winery practices organic farming, avoiding synthetic chemicals and pesticides to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Integrating permaculture principles, the winery creates a resilient agricultural system that enhances soil fertility, conserves water and supports local wildlife. Guided tours at the winery educate visitors about sustainable farming and organic agriculture, reflecting the winery’s dedication to eco-conscious practices. This achievement was supported by Destination Central Coast’s award-winning ‘Eco Advocate’ industry incentive program, delivered in partnership with Ecotourism Australia to drive understanding of sustainable tourism principles across the entire region’s visitor economy. Explore Firescreek Botanical Winery on the Green Travel Guide for more information: Firescreek Botanical Winery | Green Travel Guide END Ecotourism Australia Media Contact: Jillian Santry, Communications and Events Officer, e: communications@ecotourism.org.au, ph: 07 3256 6777 To see all the latest news: News & Blog | Ecotourism Australia About Ecotourism Australia Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports the ecotourism industry in Australia through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. We are recognised as the credible, national peak body for sustainable and nature-based tourism in Australia. Our foundational program – ECO Certification – was the world’s first national ecotourism certification program. We have more than 2,000 certified experiences in our ECO, Sustainable Tourism, Climate Action, and Respecting Our Culture Certifications. Ecotourism Australia’s certification programs, including the new Sustainable Tourism Certification, are acknowledged and recognised globally. We have a consumer-facing website that features every Sustainable Tourism Certified operator, ECO certified operator, and certified ECO certified Destination in Australia: https://greentravelguide.org The ECO Destination Certification was developed by Ecotourism Australia using the international Green Destinations standard. The Certification assesses a region across the four pillars of sustainability and the destination must pass an on-site audit conducted by a third-party auditor before Certification can be granted. In late 2022, a new Sustainable Tourism program was launched including a pre-certification benchmarking tool in the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard with founding partner Tourism Australia to support the broader tourism industry to demonstrate their commitment to, and be recognised for, the four pillars of sustainability: environmental, cultural, financial/business, and socio-economic impact. Ecotourism Australia has global partnerships, working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Green Destinations (an international organisation for sustainable destination development); and key partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region including with WWF-Australia, Parks Australia and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).
2024 Hall of Fame & Green Travel Leaders Announced
Two of Australia’s leading nature-based tourism businesses Scenic World in Sydney’s Blue Mountains and Paronella Park in tropical North Queensland, have been inducted into Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame this month, recognised for maintaining ECO Certification for 20 years. The new inductees join an esteemed group of 57 other ECO certified businesses in the Hall of Fame. This year a further 12 other ECO Certified tourism businesses have been honoured as ‘Green Travel Leaders’ for their 10 years of certification. Ecotourism Australia CEO Ms Elissa Keenan praised these operators for their exceptional dedication and accomplishments over many years. “I congratulate Scenic World and Paronella Park for reaching Ecotourism Australia’s prestigious Hall of Fame. They have established their reputation as leaders in eco and sustainable tourism practices by maintaining 20 years of ECO Certification.” “Achieving Hall of Fame recognition celebrates certified tourism businesses ongoing dedication to global best practice sustainability standards. These businesses are at the forefront of world-leading sustainability, and I look forward to witnessing their ongoing innovation and leadership in eco and sustainable tourism,” she said “Similarly, our Green Travel Leaders, recognised for a decade of ECO Certification, deserve commendation for their ongoing commitment to strong environmental, social and cultural management practices.” Ecotourism Australia has certified more than 2,000 tours, attractions and accommodation experiences across the country. While more than half our Australian members have been certified for over 10 years, only 11% have achieved Hall of Fame status demonstrating a profound commitment to sustainability as a core component of their ecotourism businesses. “At Ecotourism Australia, we proudly acknowledge our 30-year legacy of working with tourism operators and the broader industry. As the pioneering organisation to develop a national ECO Certification program, we are delighted to recognise our long-standing operators for their exceptional contributions,” Ms Keenan said. Anthea Hammon, Managing Director, Scenic World awarded Hall of Fame in 2024 said, “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.” Kayla Ousley, Education & Experiences Manager, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, recognised as a Green Travel Leader in 2024 said, “Being a certified operator with Ecotourism Australia is important to Lone Pine for many reasons. The certification and auditing process help us evaluate the systems we have in place and challenges us to continue to improve and expand our sustainability initiatives. Holding the certification also helps us communicate to our team and our visitors that we prioritise sustainability as a business and shows our commitment to creating a better future not only for wildlife, but for humankind.” All operators certified by Ecotourism Australia are featured on the Green Travel Guide. The Green Travel Guide allows travellers to find over 2,000 certified and sustainable experiences across Australia and book directly with operators. More travellers are seeking authentic, sustainable experiences backed by respected certification. Our globally recognised certification assures visitors they have chosen a tourism experience committed to strong business sustainability and positive environmental, social, and cultural impacts. Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Certification program standards provide operators with key business development tools equipping them to champion their dedication to sustainability. It ensures continuous accountability towards long-term sustainability goals through regular auditing and reporting against global standard sustainable tourism criteria including business sustainability, environmental, social and cultural impacts. Hall of Fame 2024 Paronella Park Scenic World Green Travel Leaders 2024 Big Mama Sailing Catninga Charter 1 Kingfisher Tours Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Mt. Nancar Wilderness Retreat Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat Ningaloo Discovery North Marine Pindan Tours & 4WD Training TreeTop Challenge Tweed Eco Cruises END Media contact: Ecotourism Australia – Jillian Santry, Communications and Events Officer e: communications@ecotourism.org.au ph: 07 3256 6777
Geotourism Forum
Cobbold Gorge, QLDGeotourism ForumThe Geotourism Forum was launched by Ecotourism Australia at the 2013 Global Eco Asia Pacific Conference. It is a grouping of enthusiastic Ecotourism Australia members who are working to 'add value' to Australia’s nature-based tourism offering. The main purpose of the Geotourism Forum is to advise how best geotourism can be promoted and to further Ecotourism Australia’s interest in inspiring environmentally sustainable and culturally responsible tourism. Membership of the Geotourism Forum is open, at no additional cost, to any members of Ecotourism Australia who are interested in finding out more about geotourism or who have product offerings that are rich in landscape and geology features, all of which enhances visitor engagement, learning and enjoyment. Landscape and geology underpins almost all of a destination’s natural features and visitors are increasingly keen to learn about this distinctive part of the environment.Links to Thrive 2030The recently released THRIVE 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy (Action 7.5) of the Australian Government states ‘Grow and develop high-quality products and experiences around unique Australian locations and themes, including approaches which integrate sustainable nature tourism with economic opportunities for Traditional Owners, and capitalising on emerging tourism trends such as geotourism.’BenefitsJoining the Geotourism Forum include the following benefits. Becoming part of a networked grouping dedicated to the development and advocacy of sustainable geotourism with emerging links overseas, particularly in the Asia-Pacific Region including Indonesia, China, and New Zealand. The opportunity to contribute to geotourism policy development activity, particularly relating to the formulation through Ecotourism Australia of contributions to the National Geotourism Strategy (recently branded as Geotourism Australia) launched in April 2021 by the Australian Geoscience Council. The opportunity to be engaged in any designated Forum work plan activity through participation by joining Dr Ronda Green of Araucaria Ecotours and Chair of Wildlife Tourism Australia (also representing Ecotourism Australia) in a National Geotourism Strategy working group.• Through another working group, the opportunity to learn about new digital technologies that capture and interpret information about natural and cultural heritage. The opportunity to participate in the LinkedIn Discussion Group - Australian Geotourism Development, a group which now comprises over 850 members. Access to information concerning the latest publications and global and regional geopark network conferences relating to geotourism. More InformationFor more information about geotourism and various exciting projects that are now emerging around Australia, please refer to the Geotourism Australia resource centre. For more information about the Forum or if you are already a member of Ecotourism Australia and would like to join the Geotourism Forum, please contact the Ecotourism Australia office at eco@ecotourism.org.au or call 07 3256 6777. If you would like to learn more about GeoRegions, Geotourism, Geotrails, and Geoparks as a tourism development opportunity for Regional Australia, you will find further information here.If you would like to become part of the Geotourism Forum but are not a member of Ecotourism Australia yet, register now here..
Embark on your next adventure with our newly certified operators!
It is once again that time where we put a spotlight on our newly certified operators. Recently, Gold Coast - Jet Ski Safaris, Small World Journeys and Traveller's Rest 1770 achieved ECO Certification. Their dedication to sustainability and strong commitment to environmental, social, and cultural management practices is commendable. We are thrilled to welcome these passionate and dedicated businesses to Ecotourism Australia’s esteemed group of ECO Certified operators! Whether you are craving an adrenaline rush, eager to embark on a fun learning adventure, or seeking a tranquil retreat, these experiences might be just what you are looking for. Gold Coast - Jet Ski Safaris – Ecotourism Certified A Couple riding a Jet Ski on the Gold Coast, QLD Get ready to experience the thrill of jet skiing while supporting sustainable tourism with Jet Ski Safaris. Explore the islands and waterways of beautiful Surfers Paradise and encounter wildlife like dolphins, turtles, and wallabies (all on a jet ski!). Jet Ski Safaris is committed to preserving Australia’s waterways and minimising their environmental impact. They ensure the delicate ecosystems, and the natural surroundings are protected and that their tours provide an exhilarating adventure while promoting environmental preservation. So not only can you have fun, but you will also be contributing to the protection of our oceans! Small World Journeys - Ecotourism, Climate Action & Respecting Our Culture Certified A group of students exploring the Daintree Rainforest, Far North Queensland Explore the beauty of Australia through Small World Journeys’ wide range of immersive and eco-conscious tours for student groups and teens. Whether it is geography, biology, sustainability, Aboriginal culture, environmental studies, marine science or leadership skills you are after, there is a tour for everyone. Each tour has been designed with Australia’s Traditional Owners in mind and includes activities focused on sustainability and community support. By travelling with Small World Journeys, you will go from a “regular” tourist to a traveller contributing to a better world. It is safe to say that it will be an adventure like no other! Traveller’s Rest 1770 - Ecotourism Certified A lady pouring a glass of wine at her campsite, Travellers Rest 1770, Agnes Waters, QLD Are you in search of your next retreat? Traveller's Rest 1770 is the perfect place to unwind and immerse yourself in nature. Enjoy a unique eco-camping experience with the comfort of well-maintained amenities (which of course includes hot showers)! Traveller’s Rest 1770 is also more than just a campground. They offer bush track tours where you can explore native Australian bushland while learning about the traditional and cultural use of plants. Whether you are seeking relaxation or a bit of adventure, Travellers’ Rest 1770 welcomes you to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of Agnes Water. Visit the Green Travel Guide to find out about our newly certified operators.
Connect and Conserve this World Nature Conservation Day
World Nature Conservation Day, celebrated July 28th each year, reminds us of the importance of protecting our planet's natural wonders. Australia, with its iconic beaches, captivating landscapes, ancient rainforests, and rich biodiversity, are not just scenic backdrops for travel memories—they are essential assets that need to be preserved for future generations to appreciate and explore. Ecotourism plays an important role in this preservation effort by allowing travellers to not only enjoy the stunning landscapes but also gain insights about ecosystems and opportunities to support conservation practices. By choosing responsible ecotourism practices and operators, travellers can experience a stronger connection to the natural world while ensuring its protection. This World Conservation Day, embrace your role as a responsible traveller by engaging with ECO-certified operators dedicated to sustainable tourism practices. Connect and conserve, together let’s celebrate the preservation of our natural world for years to come. Take a look at three of our certified operators who are doing their piece to conserve nature. Phillip Island Nature Park - Millowl / Cowes, Victoria Advanced Ecotourism & ROC Certified + Green Travel Leader & Hall of Fame Located on Victoria's pristine coast, Phillip Island Nature Parks exemplifies ecological preservation and responsible tourism. This conservation organisation is dedicated to environmental sustainability, conservation research, and education through its renowned ecotourism attractions. Visitors to Phillip Island can explore eco-friendly facilities such as the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre, built with low-carbon materials and equipped with solar panels and water recycling systems. The Penguin Parade itself offers a memorable experience where visitors can observe adorable penguins returning to shore at sunset while minimising the environmental impact on the penguins' natural habitat. Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy Wildlife Ecoboat Tours around Phillip Island to observe diverse marine life. These tours not only raise awareness about marine ecosystems and conservation but also enhance the visitor experience while promoting sustainable practices like the "Bins on Boats" initiative in partnership with the fishing industry. Immersive experiences at the Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm also allow visitors to learn about local conservation efforts and sustainable farming practices. By visiting Phillip Island Nature Parks, guests not only enjoy unique wildlife encounters but also contribute to the conservation of local wildlife and habitats, ensuring that future generations can continue to explore this ecological treasure. Discover more about Phillip Island Nature Parks. Group of Penguins coming out of the water at Phillip Island Nature Parks. Thala Beach Nature Reserve - Yirrganydji / Port Douglas, Far North Queensland Advanced Ecotourism Certified & Green Travel Leader Thala Beach Nature Reserve exemplifies a profound commitment to ecological restoration and conservation in Australia's tropical north. Situated on a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas, Thala has transformed from a degraded sugar plantation into a thriving native forest, demonstrating the positive impact of sustainable tourism practices. Since opening in 1997, Thala Beach Nature Reserve has welcomed over 600,000 guests. The transformation from its original state to the present day highlights the success of Thala’s revegetation efforts, which have dramatically increased native forest, biodiversity, and wildlife populations. Led by Brett Kelly and David Anderson, Thala’s environment team has implemented ongoing tree planting, weed eradication, and habitat improvements, resulting in a marked improvement in the local biosphere. The reserve spans 58 hectares of regenerated natural forest and diverse habitats. Sustainable practices are integrated throughout the property, from eco-friendly boutique timber bungalows to the Ospreys Restaurant, which sources ingredients locally and minimises environmental impact. Visitors can engage in eco-activities such as guided nature walks and bird and butterfly talk tours, enhancing their understanding of environmental issues and the interconnections within the ecosystem. Visitors can also explore nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest or relax on the private beach. Thala Beach Nature Reserve harmoniously combines luxury with conservation, providing a scenic environment where guests can enjoy Australia's natural wonders while supporting conservation efforts. Discover more about Thala Beach Nature Reserve. Birdwing Bungalow at Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Oak Beach, Port Douglas EcoTreasures - Eora / Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, New South Wales Advanced Ecotourism, Climate Action & ROC Certified + Green Travel leader In the heart of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, EcoTreasures offers eco-tourism experiences designed to appreciate the region’s nature through sustainable practices. Advanced Ecotourism, Climate Action, and ROC Certified, EcoTreasures has been a pioneer in eco-tourism since 2010. Guests can explore Sydney's marine wonders on the Manly Snorkelling Tour at Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Led by knowledgeable local guides, this experience not only introduces guests to the diverse marine life in the area but also educates them about the importance of marine conservation. For those interested in exploring Sydney's coastal landscapes, the Manly Coastal Walk offers scenic views while actively contributing to conservation efforts through beach clean-ups and education sessions on pollution management. The eco-tours to the Blue Mountains educate visitors about the region’s natural heritage and indigenous culture while minimising environmental impact. Their commitment to conservation education fosters sustainable travel experiences, deepens connections to nature, and promotes responsible tourism practices among visitors. Discover more about EcoTreasures. EcoTreasures Manly Coastal Walk tour, Sydney NSW
Capricorn Coast secures prestigious ECO Destination Certification
Joining Australia’s leading cohort of ecotourism destinations, the Capricorn Coast has reached global best-practice sustainable destination standards with Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Destination Certification at the Ecotourism level. As the fifth certified destination in Queensland and the 11th in Australia, the region has been proactive and transparent in sharing milestones along their sustainability journey, which expands beyond the tourism sector. Through the support of the Queensland Government, the Eco-Certification Destination program is enabling 11 local government areas and regional tourism authorities with funding up to $150,000 to achieve globally recognised certifications. Situated in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Capricorn Coast boasts unparalleled marine and reef experiences. In addition, the region offers beautiful beaches, lush national parks, and charming coastal towns. Visitors can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, diving, and fishing in the pristine waters. Capricorn Coast completes the trifecta of Southern Great Barrier Reef regions, also including Bundaberg and Gladstone, implementing world class sustainable tourism through ECO Destination Certification. The Capricorn Coast has received intense support from their local industry who are working towards being more sustainable in their own operations. Seven local operators hold ECO Certification, including Capricorn Caves, who have maintained best-practice certification standards for more than 20 years. “Ecotourism Australia are pleased to award ECO Destination Certification to Capricorn Coast, who have been champions in their commitment to internationally recognised sustainable tourism standards,” said Ecotourism Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Elissa Keenan. “Strong support from all stakeholders has been instrumental in this achievement and it has been incredible to see passion, dedication and collaboration from the council, Regional Tourism Organisation, Traditional Owners and local operators to reach the certification milestone.” The certification was led by Livingstone Shire Council and supported by Capricorn Enterprise and local tourism industry stakeholders. Development and Environment Committee Co-Chair, Councillor Pat Eastwood said achieving ECO Destination Certification is a significant milestone for Livingstone Shire, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism. “This achievement would not have been possible without the strong partnership between Council, Capricorn Enterprise, and Ecotourism Australia, as well as the essential funding from the Queensland Government's Department of Tourism and Sport. Additionally, the dedicated efforts of our project lead, Amy Druery, were crucial to our success,” Cr Eastwood said. “This certification not only puts Livingstone Shire on the map as a premier eco-friendly destination but also ensures that we continue to offer high-quality, sustainable tourism experiences. We are proud to join the ranks of globally recognised eco destinations and look forward to furthering our sustainable practices to benefit both our community and the environment.” Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll said, “Achieving ECO Destination certification for the Capricorn Coast was identified in our Destination Tourism Strategy 2021-2030, not only in response to the fact that sustainability is moving out of niche sector tourism and into the mainstream, but to make a very clear statement about protecting the environmental, social and cultural values which make this community and destination so special.” “Capricorn Enterprise made a pledge at the National Regions Rising conference in 2022 hosted by the Regional Institute of Australia (RIA), that we would achieve the ECO Destination Certification by the end of 2024, but we have achieved it six months earlier, for which we are most proud.” Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said this certification helped bring even more eyes to the great tourism experiences in the region. “The Miles Government is working hard to position Queensland and our tourism destinations as world leaders in sustainable tourism. “It is great to see the Capricorn Coast and Livingstone Shire Council area achieve ECO-Destination Certification under the program which provided up to $150 000 to eligible applicants to earn this important recognition. “In line with Towards Tourism 2032 this program will help our tourism destinations meet a real growing demand from tourists around the globe who are looking for low impact travel, high quality nature-based experiences and an ongoing commitment to sustainability.” Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said nature is at the heart of Queensland’s tourism story so it’s great to see another Queensland destination achieve this outcome. “Congratulations to Capricorn Enterprise and Livingstone Shire Council on the Capricorn Coast’s ECO certification, the fifth Queensland destination to prioritise sustainable tourism policies, procedures and programs. “More and more destinations in Queensland are becoming ECO certified which is part of a bigger strategy to maintain world best-practice standards and align with current global trends in nature-based tourism and ecotourism. “The certification gives travellers confidence that destinations are committed to sustainable practices and offer high-quality nature-based tourism experiences." ECO Destination Certification at the Ecotourism level assesses a region on more than 90 criteria across eight sections including Destination Management, Environment and Climate, Culture and Tradition, and Social Wellbeing. By achieving ECO Destination Certification, Capricorn Coast joins a global network of more than 200 destinations in 60 countries through Ecotourism Australia’s partnership with Green Destinations. END Media contact: Ecotourism Australia – Jillian Santry, Communications and Events Officer e: communications@ecotourism.org.au ph: 07 3256 6777 About Ecotourism Australia Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports the ecotourism industry in Australia through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. We are recognised as the credible, national peak body for sustainable and nature-based tourism in Australia. Our foundational program – ECO Certification – was the world’s first national ecotourism certification program. We have more than 1,900 certified experiences in our ECO, Sustainable Tourism, Climate Action, and Respecting Our Culture Certifications. Ecotourism Australia’s certification programs, including the new Sustainable Tourism Certification, are acknowledged and recognised globally. We have a consumer-facing website that features every Sustainable Tourism Certified operator, ECO certified operator, and certified ECO certified Destination in Australia: https://greentravelguide.org The ECO Destination Certification was developed by Ecotourism Australia using the international Green Destinations standard. The Certification assesses a region across the four pillars of sustainability and the destination must pass an on-site audit conducted by a third-party auditor before Certification can be granted. In late 2022, a new Sustainable Tourism program was launched including a pre-certification benchmarking tool in the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard with founding partner Tourism Australia to support the broader tourism industry to demonstrate their commitment to, and be recognised for, the four pillars of sustainability: environmental, cultural, financial/business, and socio-economic impact. Ecotourism Australia has global partnerships, working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Green Destinations (an international organisation for sustainable destination development); and key partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region including with WWF-Australia, Parks Australia and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).
Balloon Aloft first on sustainability pathway
Balloon Aloft first to achieve Sustainable Tourism Certification on sustainability pathway In a milestone achievement, Balloon Aloft has become the first tourism operator in Australia to progress through the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard and then achieve Ecotourism Australia’s globally recognised Sustainable Tourism Certification. Operating in stunning regional areas of New South Wales, including The Hunter Valley, and Bourketown in outback northern Queensland, Balloon Aloft is a family owned and operated business committed to providing sustainable and accessible ballooning experiences for all adventurers. Matthew Scaife, pilot and director of Balloon Aloft said their commitment to sustainability and quality tourism experiences were at the heart of their certification. "Our Balloon Aloft team is committed to preserving the environment, reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainability through a range of initiatives across our ballooning operations,” said Mr. Scaife. “We partner with Greenfleet to include carbon offsetting in every ticket we sell and are proud ambassadors of the Sea Shepherd organisation, flying the Sea Shepherd balloon in an effort to raise awareness for the organisation's vital work in marine conservation. “Our participation in the Ecotourism Australia Strive 4 Sustainability program in July last year was a great way for us to review all of our sustainability goals and outcomes with our scorecard benchmark score of 97% giving us the confidence of taking the next step towards certification. “We are thrilled to have achieved Ecotourism Australia's Sustainable Tourism Certification and will continue to work with our Balloon Aloft team and our amazing passengers in an effort to make a positive impact on the environment and the communities in which we operate our flights." Ecotourism Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Elissa Keenan, offered her congratulations to the iconic business. “Balloon Aloft have proved their commitment to sustainable tourism practices and identified themselves as an ideal candidate for our global best-practice Sustainable Tourism Certification,” Ms Keenan said. “We created the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard as a precertification pathway program, to help tourism operators start their sustainability journey and it is wonderful to see Balloon Aloft go from a benchmark assessment to taking the next step and achieving global best practice certification in sustainable tourism. “We have seen enormous interest from industry and in 2023 we partnered with Big Red Group to support operators on this sustainability journey. To see an industry leader like this seek opportunities to build sustainability capacity through our program is incredible. “Their support to showcase operators who are making a difference and ensuring their customers can see those sustainability credentials, is a significant commitment and a true demonstration of one of Australia’s largest tourism organisations to ‘walk the talk’ on sustainability.” Chief Sustainability Officer at Big Red Group, Ms Jemma Fastnedge, said, “We are moving toward a travel industry where sustainable tourism is no longer a nice-to-have but an essential component of running a successful operation. “As the largest marketplace of experiences across Australia and New Zealand, we recognise our responsibility to incorporate sustainability into our ethos and encourage tourism experience providers to do the same. We are delighted to see Balloon Aloft go from a very high Scorecard result to achieving full certification.” The Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard was launched by Ecotourism Australia in partnership with Founding Partner Tourism Australia in late 2022. To compliment Ecotourism Australia’s world first and leading ECO Certification for nature focused experiences, the Sustainable Tourism Certification for non-nature focused businesses was also developed. Sustainable Tourism Certification assesses tourism businesses against our internationally recognised sustainable tourism standard across the four pillars of sustainability: environmental, cultural, and socio-economic impact and sustainable business operations. Discover Balloon Aloft on the Green Travel Guide. Read the case study on Balloon Aloft’s experience through the Strive 4 Sustainability scorecard program.
Gladstone Region earns coveted ECO Destination Certification
The Gladstone region proudly announced its ECO Destination Certification at the Nature Tourism level with Ecotourism Australia, underscoring its commitment to sustainable tourism. This significant milestone was led by the Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited (GAPDL) and supported by the Gladstone Regional Council. Gladstone is the 10th ECO Destination across the nation certified by Ecotourism Australia. The ECO Destination Certification adheres to global best practices through international partner, Green Destinations. The Certification recognises a region’s commitment to the four pillars of sustainability: environmental, socio-economic and cultural impact and sustainable business management. It involves third party auditing of 73 criteria across seven sections including: Destination Management, Environment and Climate, Culture and Tradition, and Business and Hospitality. "We congratulate the Gladstone Region on achieving ECO Destination Certification," said Ecotourism Australia’s Head of Destination and Member Services, Alyssa Sanders. "This recognition underscores the region's unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism and sets a benchmark for future efforts. We are immensely proud to see Gladstone leading the way in promoting responsible travel practices and showcasing the incredible natural beauty and biodiversity of Central Queensland." The region is committed to offering eco-friendly and sustainable tourism products that align with international best practices. There are six certified operators championing sustainability in the region with Lady Elliott Island, 1770 LARC! Tours, Broadwater Haven, Wilson Island, Heron Island Resort, 1770 Reef and Dive Spear and Sport all holding global best practice ECO Certification. 1770 LARC! Tours and Lady Elliott Island are recognised in Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame for holding 20 years of continuous ECO Certification. GAPDL have built on the industry’s foundation of sustainable tourism and lead the stakeholder collaboration to achieve this destination wide recognition. “We are so proud of our beautiful region for achieving this significant milestone, which is a testament to the community’s collaboration and dedication to preserving our stunning natural environment. Attaining ECO Destination Certification will establish Gladstone as a world-class destination, highlighting the region's dedication to continuous improvement in sustainable practices and its provision of high-quality nature-based tourism experiences,” said GAPDL’s CEO, Nicola Smith. The certification process, initiated in early 2023, was funded through the Queensland Government’s Department of Tourism and Sport’s Eco-certified Tourism Destination Program Grant Fund. This grant supports councils and tourism organisations in achieving high-level ECO Destination Certification. Member of Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the certification was a fitting reward for the region’s tourism businesses who have focused on making their operations as sustainable as possible. “Achieving ECO Destination Certification will help highlight to visitors from around the world the natural wonders and sustainable tourism operators the region has to offer,” said Mr Butcher. “As part of our Towards Tourism 2032 strategy the Queensland Government is working with industry to position the state and our tourism destinations as leaders in sustainable tourism. “This program provides up to $150,000 to eligible applicants to achieve certification and it is a worthwhile investment, as we strive to meet a growing demand from tourists for places that have a genuine commitment to sustainable low impact travel.” Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Patricia O’Callaghan said this is fantastic news for Queensland. “Congratulations to the Gladstone region on this major milestone of becoming an ECO Certified Destination. “The region has some world-class operators who are doing incredible work to promote and embody sustainable tourism. “Gladstone is the fourth Queensland destination to become ECO Certified which highlights our industry’s dedication to environmentally responsible management of our stunning natural resources, while also providing visitors from across the globe the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of our state.” To achieve this certification the Gladstone region underwent rigorous onsite auditing involving interviews with council and GAPDL staff, community and conservation groups, business representatives and First Nations representatives, along with site visits to key tourism and environmental areas. To maintain certification, ongoing sustainability commitments are essential, with audits conducted every two years to track progress and implement recommendations. The Council’s support to their community in achieving a sustainability-driven future for tourism has been clear throughout the application process. “We are delighted to obtain the ECO Destination Certification and join an established global network of over 200 destinations working towards ecotourism excellence. The certification assures visitors to our region that we are committed to the continuous improvement of sustainable practices and to providing high-quality nature-based tourism experiences,” said Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett. Situated along the stunning coastline of Central Queensland, Gladstone is a gateway to two iconic natural wonders: the Southern Great Barrier Reef and the pristine waterways of the Gladstone Harbour. This region is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, with a significant portion of its area dedicated to protected natural landscapes that support rich biodiversity. Gladstone is also home to the world-famous Heron Island, a prime destination for marine life enthusiasts, and the ecologically significant Capricorn Coast National Park. These areas offer visitors unparalleled opportunities to explore and appreciate the diverse ecosystems that make Gladstone a premier nature-based tourism destination. Ecotourism Australia’s Head of Destination and Member Services, Alyssa Sanders, is in Gladstone today at the ECO Destination Certification Announcement event to award Gladstone Regional Council with their official certificate and present to key stakeholders. END Media event details: • Date: Wednesday, 26th June • Time: 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm (Media Opportunity and Formalities only) • Location: Tondoon Botanic Gardens (On the grass area to the left of the café) – Main car park available. Media contact: Ecotourism Australia – Jillian Santry, Communications and Events Officer e: communications@ecotourism.org.au ph: 07 3256 6777 About Ecotourism Australia Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports the ecotourism industry in Australia through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. We are recognised as the credible, national peak body for sustainable and nature-based tourism in Australia. Our foundational program – ECO Certification – was the world’s first national ecotourism certification program. We have more than 1,900 certified experiences in our ECO, Sustainable Tourism, Climate Action, and Respecting Our Culture Certifications. Ecotourism Australia’s certification programs, including the new Sustainable Tourism Certification, are acknowledged and recognised globally. We have a consumer-facing website that features every Sustainable Tourism Certified operator, ECO certified operator, and certified ECO certified Destination in Australia: https://greentravelguide.org The ECO Destination Certification was developed by Ecotourism Australia using the international Green Destinations standard, which is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The Certification assesses a region across the four pillars of sustainability and the destination must pass an on-site audit conducted by a third-party auditor before Certification can be granted. In late 2022, a new Sustainable Tourism program was launched including a pre-certification benchmarking tool in the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard with founding partner Tourism Australia to support the broader tourism industry to demonstrate their commitment to, and be recognised for, the four pillars of sustainability: environmental, cultural, financial/business, and socio-economic impact. Ecotourism Australia has global partnerships, working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Green Destinations (an international organisation for sustainable destination development); and key partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region including with WWF-Australia, Parks Australia and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). Ecotourism Australia is also a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
Global Sustainable Tourism Summit 2024 Key Takeaways
Risks and opportunities for sustainable tourism was at the heart of Ecotourism Australia’s inaugural 2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Summit centred on the theme People, Planet, Place, Purpose. More than 280 passionate sustainable tourism operators and businesses, destinations, government departments and national park agencies, solutions providers, researchers, and conservation advocates congregated in Meeanjin/Brisbane for the event. Each state and territory in Australia as well as five internationalities were represented at the Summit, allowing attendees to gain a sense of the common challenges faced by the industry and how we can work together to overcome them. In case you missed the Summit, or are looking to refresh your memory, we share our key takeaways from 62 speakers across the two days of conferencing. Summit Day 1 Takeaways On Summit Day 1 we opened the Summit with a Welcome to Country delivered by Shannon Ruska, who shared his story highlighting the diversity and value of Welcome Ceremonies. From Senator the Hon. Don Farrell, Minister for Tourism and Trade, attendees caught insights to the Australian government’s plan for sustainable tourism growth and their commitment to the industry before Bede Fennell of Tourism Australia shared the latest consumer trends as well as Tourism Australia’s own sustainability journey. Chief Frank Antoine, Chief of the Bonaparte First Nation and founder of Moccasin Trails, dived into a case study of Indigenous Tourism Done Right sharing personal stories of his heritage and the role tourism plays in connecting us to each other and our past, present and future – “arrive as a guest, leave as family.” To round out the first session, David Young, Director of Sustainability at Accor Pacific revealed how the hotel industry is facing increased pressure to address environmental challenges from above and below resulting in Accor setting the ambitious goal to have all 406 of the region’s properties certified by 2025. Bede Fennell, Executive General Manager of Corporate Affairs delivers the opening keynote presentation, The Future of Sustainable Travel. Credit: Mad Panda Media. Fostering respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities through tourism took centre stage throughout the Summit program and Matt Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, presented a case study of Wintjiri Wiru, emphasising Indigenous engagement isn’t just about talking to local communities, it’s about listening. Cliff Cobbo, First Nations Principal Advisor at WWF-Australia, noted by 2026, 50% of WWF-Australia’s work will be delivered in partnership with Indigenous people and organisations, while Annette Sharp, Global Social Impact Manager of Intrepid Travel, shared an inspiring good-practice case study from Machu Picchu about sharing iconic tourism experiences with residents. After lunch, Julie Cheetham, Managing Director of Weeva, demonstrated how sustainable technologies are helping tourism operators to understand and measure their impact, followed by an impactful presentation from Flight Centre’s Global Sustainability Officer, Michelle Degenhardt, laying out her advice for a step-by-step guide to starting your sustainability journey. The third session concluded with a thought-provoking discussion about the Future of Air Travel with panelists exploring the Australia’s capability for Sustainable Aviation Fuels and the likelihood of electric flights for short route, small group flights in the next 10 years. For the final session of the day, attendees dived into all things Sustainable Cruising where panelists explored the challenge of social license for cruise lines and how, with appropriate management and foresight, cruising can benefit and empower destinations and communities. Our next panel explored Regenerative Tourism and what it looks like in their business; panelist Nic Cooper of Wild Adventures Melbourne (WAM) shared their regenerative practices have a profound impact on guests and although customers don’t book because of their ECO Certification, 75% of visitors mention WAM’s sustainability actions in their post trip reviews. Our last discussion centred around Ecotourism Legacy Leaders with longstanding ECO Certified operators Steve Edmondson (Sailaway), Anthea Hammon (Scenic World) and Lizzie Corke OAM (Wildlife Wonders) revealing their lessons over the years. For example, Anthea shared how their ECO Certification is important to educate and achieve sustainability commitment from their staff. At the Summit, Ecotourism Australia’s Board Chair Dr Claire Ellis presented Anthea with Scenic World’s Hall of Fame award, recognising the business’ achievement of 20 years continuous ECO Certification. Our Summit Day concluded with the World Environment Day Cocktail Function hosted in partnership with Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) where attendees discussed learnings from the day, while feasting on delightful bites. The evening featured a panel conversation with Australian Age of Dinosaurs’ David Elliot OAM and Naomi Miles, exploring their business development and sustainability journey, including their designation as Australia’s first International Dark-Sky Sanctuary. Summit Day 2 Takeaways Bright eyed and eager to learn more, our attendees joined for a second day of the Summit, which took a deeper dive into the practical tips and tricks for sustainable tourism. Nadine Schramm, Head of Sustainability at Ecotourism Australia opened the day with insights from the pathway Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard program and leaving delegates with the moving quote: “Sustainability takes forever, and that’s the point.” Next was an informative discussion on the best ways to work with Indigenous communities to build tourism collaboratively. Chief Frank discussed the importance of connecting with multi generations to build community and share stories, and TRC Tourism’s Kylie Ruwhiu-Karawana engaging presentation reminded us to keep checking the back of the waka (Māori canoe) to ensure no-one’s been left behind on the consultation journey. Kingfisher Tours’ Rosie Sandover and Rebecca Sampi highlighted how engaging and championing Indigenous staff can empower them to “walk in our own way.” Gunditjmara Traditional Owner, Uncle Denis Rose, detailed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape’s UNESCO World Heritage journey and in particular how transparent communication with locals helped achieve buy-in, and, to round out the panel, Luke Barrowcliffe of Studio K’Gari outlined some of the challenges of Indigenous representation. Our Destination Best Practice panel followed, exploring challenges of overtourism, engaging local businesses on the sustainability journey and the need for effective partnerships. Destination Best Practice Panel featuring from L-R: Janet Mackay (TRC Tourism; Facilitator), Simone Novello (Blue Mountains City Council), Lori Modde (Australian Regional Tourism), Fiona Merida (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority), Whitney Edwards (Destination Central Coast), and Saul Cresswell (Shire of Augusta Margaret River). Credit: Mad Panda Media. With the launch of Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification and Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard in 2022, our audience is now larger than ever. Our second session of the day split into two breakouts; one for nature-based tourism and the other for urban tourism. Here are just three of our main insights from these discussions: Nature Based Tourism Focus Accessibility in Nature Tourism – people with accessibility needs will make the best decision for themselves, don’t remove the sense of adventure by restricting or determining their access. The Future of Wildlife Tourism – seeing an animal in their natural habitat can be just as or even more thrilling than a ‘meet and greet’ animal experience, however educating guests to adopt an ‘observer’ rather than ‘interactor’ behaviour is crucial to its success. Developing High Quality Experiences Around Unique Australian Locations and Themes – creating a high quality experience involves affecting all the senses (touch, feel, sight, smell) to leave visitors with a lasting, positive memory. Sustainability in All Destinations Sustainable Gastronomy and Food Tourism – it’s not just food and beverage providers that need to be held accountable for food waste, but also consumers and the choices they make at home. Sustainability in the Accommodation Sector – international hotel guests are increasingly asking for eco credentials and sustainability action across all accommodation classifications. Leading Sustainable Tourism Examples in Urban Environments – starting the sustainability journey might be the hardest step, but it is the most rewarding. Quentin Long, Managing Director at Australian Traveller Media, energised the audience with his impassioned presentation exploring the sustainability ‘say-do’ gap, however he noted that when businesses lead with sustainability at the forefront, consumers will follow. Austrade’s Head of Visitor Economy Sustainability, International Markets and Tourism Research, Grant Ferres, shared Tourism Research Australia plan to release a dashboard in the coming months to track indicators including against key sustainability outcomes. Our penultimate panel explored Sustainable Distribution Channels with a clear message that international buyers and wholesalers are looking for validated and reliable eco credentials that are easy to identify. Our final panel, Creating a Net Positive Impact – Alternatives to Offsetting, left the audience on a high note, with Jenny-Lee Scharnboeck of Take 3 For the Sea sharing a positive impact story of their recent partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line in Fiji, where 80 cruisers, local police authorities and community members banded together to remove 514kg of litter from a single beach. Sustainability in the Accommodation Sector panel featuring from L-R: Michael Johnson (Accommodation Australia; Facilitator), Paul McGrath (YHA Australia), Peter Johnson (Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat), and Joanne Whitby-Lee (booking.com; out of camera). Credit: Mad Panda Media. Risks and Opportunities from the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit Throughout the event we asked our attendees to participate in an activity where they shared their risks, opportunities and solutions across the four pillars of sustainability that are impacting and driving the future of sustainable tourism. Results from this exercise identified common themes: Collaborate, engage and listen as an industry Joint voice led by a peak industry body like Ecotourism Australia The need for joint Australian expert leadership group on sustainability Talk less and do more - We are running out of time to be more sustainable! (2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Thrive 2030 etc) Storytelling – bridge the gap between visitors and sustainability Bring everyone (including businesses, local community and visitors) on the shared sustainability journey Listen to the younger generation and give them a seat at the table when developing sustainability plans Focus on thriving, not just mitigating negative impacts Enormous opportunities remain for regional areas to capitalise on positive socio-economic impacts of tourism Ban all single-use plastic items & encourage plastic free places across Australia Partnerships and collaborations across industry and sectors is key Authentic engagement Events like the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit are so important to connect with all sectors of the tourism economy to learn from each other, and to discover the challenges organisations are facing and how they are working to overcome them. Wrap Up Takeaways To conclude, there were a number of impactful messages the reverberated throughout the Summit, that kept recurring again and again in presentations and through conversations. These are just a few of the best takeaways from the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit: “Tourism can help us save what we cannot afford to lose.” Tourism can be a powerful and inspirational mechanism for storytelling, conservation, and community-building, so long as we put People, Planet, Place and Purpose first. Tell your story. Sharing your journey and experiences fosters greater connection and change. “Look forward in the micro, look backward in the macro.” Take your sustainability journey one step at a time, and suddenly you’ll have walked a marathon. Authentic engagement is about listening. Showing up is one thing, but being present, purposeful and listening is another. Just start. Sustainability is not about perfection, it is a journey, but that journey cannot start without commitment. Start with what makes a difference to you. The land we stand on is the land we stand for. To lead we need to listen. Arrive as guests, leave as family. Plan for the visitor you want, manage the visitor you have Chief Frank Antoine, Bonaparte First Nation Chief, (right) explains the symbols on the St'uxwtews flag, which was later gifted to Fraser Nai (Strait Experiences; left). Credit: Mad Panda Media.
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Back Country Bliss Tours, Port Douglas, QLDEcotourism Australia Supporters 2024-25Corporate Supporter MembersInterested in becoming a Corporate Supporter?Business Supporter MembersInterested in becoming a Business Supporter?Protected Area Managers (PAMs) 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 receiving reduced licence and permit fees. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service National Parks – Northern Territory National Parks & Wildlife Service South Australia Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service Parks Victoria Individual SupportersEcotourism Australia would like to thank all of our 2024-25 Individual Supporters who continue to support our organisation.Interested in becoming an Individual Supporter?