Image credit: Destination NSW
NSW Opportunity – Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard
Embark on the pathway to sustainability and evaluate your business practices with the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard
Destination NSW has partnered with Ecotourism Australia, the nation’s peak body for sustainable and ecotourism, to provide eligible NSW visitor economy businesses fully funded access to the pre-certification Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard.
The Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard is part of the NSW First Program, delivered by Destination NSW to assist businesses across the state to develop, promote and sell great visitor experiences.
Key Dates
Round 1:
Expression of Interest (EOI) open : 23 June 2023.
For successful applicants: Login details provided upon EOI approval by Destination NSW and Ecotourism Australia, usually within 1-2 weeks.
Program completion date: Now extended to 31 August 2024
Round 2:
Expression of Interest (EOI) open :1 July 2024
For successful applicants: Login details provided upon EOI approval by Destination NSW and Ecotourism Australia, usually within 1-2 weeks.
Program completion date: 30 June 2025
Eligibility
- Applicants must be registered and operating in NSW
- Applicants must operate an accommodation, attraction, brewery, distillery or winery, event, restaurant, tour, or visitor information centre
- Applicants must have an active NSW Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing under the category of accommodation, attraction, event, food and drink, information service or tour
- Applicants must articulate how participating in the program will transform their business
- Maximum one application per business, applications for multiple locations for the same business will not be accepted.
Places are limited and will be assessed on a first come, first served basis and best fit to eligibility criteria. Submissions with incorrect or incomplete details will not be considered.
For more information email eco@ecotourism.org.au or 07 3256 6777.
Program Overview
The free Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard supports visitor economy businesses to assess their current performance across the four pillars of sustainability:
- Environmental Impacts
- Socio-economic Impacts
- Cultural Impacts
- Sustainable Management
By measuring your business performance, you can make informed decisions and take steps to enhance and promote your sustainable practices.
The scorecard will support you to:
Learn how your business can positively impact people, the planet and culture
Evaluate your current sustainability performance
Receive personalised and practical insights for continuous improvement
Clarify and simplify sustainability practices through a snapshot evaluation
Showcase your commitment to visitors.
What steps do I need to take?
1.
Expression of interest (EOI)
Apply to express your interest in the free Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard by completing the online form with your contact details and information about your eligibility.
2.
Access
If successful, you will be provided access to your own Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard online portal and instructions on how to make the best of this program. Ecotourism Australia is there to help if you need assistance.
3.
Complete your scorecard
Complete the information about your business at your own pace. This takes on average one day to complete with the opportunity to stop and start at any time. If you don’t have all the information, that is fine as this is a health check and sustainability is a journey not a destination.
4.
Submit your scorecard
Submit your information online and Ecotourism Australia will individually assess the information you provide and give you personalised feedback for your business’s sustainability journey.
5.
Receive your score
You will receive a score out of 100, broken down into the four pillars of sustainability. This will be illustrated in a scorecard for public use (if you wish), and an internal feedback document giving you advice, ways to improve and information about the next steps on your sustainability journey. You will receive a toolkit with tips on promoting your sustainability journey. If you score 50% or more, you will also receive a certificate to display proudly.
Destination NSW supported Case Study
Brokenwood Wines
From a weekend venture for self-professed hobby winemakers, Brokenwood Wines evolved into one of Australia’s most reputable wine labels.
Now a leading 5-star winery icon of the Hunter Valley, Brokenwood Wines and Vineyard is a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia with a strong and extensive commitment to improving their sustainability efforts.
Wonnarua Country/ Pokolbin, New South Wales
Browse the collection of case studies
Explore a selection of NSW based businesses who have completed the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard thanks to support from Destination NSW. Read how they have put sustainability into practice and what benefits they got out of the program.
Balloon Aloft
As trailblazers in adventure tours, Balloon Aloft is now also the first balloon ride operator to complete Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard and then go on to achieve ECO Certification.
Bandicoot Pottery
As the first business funded by Destination NSW to complete their Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, Bandicoot Pottery is committed to continuous improvement on their sustainability journey.
Arts Factory Lodge
Created in the 1970s by an eclectic group of self-proclaimed hippies and artists, the Arts Factory Lodge is considered by some to be the birthplace of Byron Bay’s spirit and character.
Coast XP
The focus of these tours is on marine life, local geology, Aboriginal heritage, maritime history, and key destination landmarks such as cliffs, islands, sea caves and ships.
Contained in Nimbin
The two self-contained cottages are sustainably built using a unique, non-traditional construction method from recycled Grade A shipping containers.
Beachcomber Holiday Park
Surrounded by wildlife and pristine environments, it’s important to them to take part in green initiatives for the protection of the land they rely on.
FAQs
Click on the frequently asked questions to find your answers. If you still have questions, contact eco@ecotourism.org.au.
When will I be notified if my application is successful?
Your EOI will be assessed against the eligibility criteria, and if successful, Ecotourism Australia will send you an email with details on how to access the online portal. If there are any issues with your registration, or if all places have been taken, we will contact you directly.
How long does it take to complete the scorecard?
Within a day, the average completion time is 6-8 hours.
When do I need to complete the scorecard?
If you’re in round 1, you have an extension till 31 August 2024 to complete the scorecard.
if you’re in round 2, you have until 30 June 2025 (but we don’t recommend waiting till then).
Can I amend participate details?
If an enrolled participant leaves your business and you would like to replace them with a new staff member, please contact eco@ecotourism.org.au
How can I promote my score?
A toolkit will be provided with tips on how to promote your sustainable practices.
Can I participate if I am already certified by Ecotourism Australia?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria, you can submit an EOI to participate in this program.
Can I participate if I don’t have an ATWD listing?
Before expressing interest in the scorecard, please create an ATDW listing. For more information on how to create a free ATDW listing, click here.