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When you speak to Toni Brennan, CEO of multi-award-winning tour company Fun Over Fifty, a few things strike you about her simultaneously: her dedication to excellence, her undeniable commitment to sustainable tourism and her humour.

“You’ve called me at a good time,” she said during a recent phone call, the remnants of laughter in her voice. “I’ve just been on the phone with one of our suppliers – we work with over 600 suppliers, you know – and we were all just in fits of laughter about something she thought I said.”

For someone who heads up one of Australia’s most successful touring companies – Fun Over Fifty was recently featured in the Australian Financial Review as a leading sustainable tour operator, has been announced as a finalist in this year’s Banksia Awards and won silver at this month’s Queensland Tourism Awards – Toni is incredibly down to earth.

It’s a value she’s knitted into the fabric of her company’s success, which started from humble beginnings at a sewing table in the laundry back in 2002. Now leading the charge for a repertoire of 125 ECO certified tours (the most, by far, of any ECO certified tour operator in Australia), Toni still works closely with her staff at all levels and makes time to catch up with Fun Over Fifty’s guests, ensuring that everyone feels like family and that fun is kept front and centre.

Photo: Fun Over Fifty CEO, Toni Brennan and Coach Operations Manager Rob Archibald at the 2018 Tourism Awards

Whilst Fun Over Fifty’s website jokes that those lacking a sense of humour need not sign up to take part in their tours, it’s not all fun and games for this company, either. When it comes to sustainable tourism, Toni and her team are seriously dedicated.

With a vision to be recognised as the best quality and most sustainable tour operator in Australia, Toni says the company recognises the need to break stereotypes. Transporting guests in coaches across the country (and a few select international destinations), Toni appreciates the need to show people that business can be done differently: that tour operators can be accountable and show they care.

“It’s a team effort,” she explains, when asked who’s behind the company’s constant eco innovations.

“We have it ingrained in the company vision from [the] CEO, office and on-road crew to consistently look for ideas to innovate, protect and contribute. We strive to create new industry first policies and not just tick the box of donating to big organisations. Our initiatives directly support the regions we visit and [we] strategically plan our offsets from office operations to on road emissions.”

Fun Over Fifty’s sustainability policies and programs are diverse. They include the Green Guest Policy (GGP) – which gives guests the option to say no to room servicing in order to reduce their impact, the Being Seen Being Green (BSBG) initiative – allowing guests to take part in practical measures such as tree planting and dune rejuvenation, ECO, Climate Action and Respecting our Culture (ROC) certification through Ecotourism Australia and a World Environment Day Tree Planting Challenge.

So how do Fun Over Fifty’s guests respond to these initiatives? There is much said today about millennials leading the charge of more conscious and responsible consumption patterns, but not a lot about the over fifties market.

“Our Being Seen Being Green on tour tree planting uptake is so popular that we have to limit participation!” says Toni. The uptake for the company’s Green Guest Policy, which gives guests financial incentives to forfeit room servicing, is also increasing every year.

For those who want an immersive ‘eco’ experience, Fun Over Fifty even offers Helping Hand Holidays and Green Getaways tour programs, which are 100% designed with a focus on ecotourism and community projects and causes.

“Again, the uptake on these tours is increasing annually and feedback is extremely positive. The guests’ emotions and feeling of directly ‘giving back’ [are] incredibly powerful.”

So, what advice would Toni give to other newly certified tourism businesses and operators?

“It’s very rewarding to operate a tour company knowing you are not negatively impacting the environment and that you can create and share wealth in regional areas buying local and hiring local guides, etc. You can be profitable and give back.”

Now that’s something that everyone can have a joyful laugh about.

[Photos: Fun Over Fifty]

“If you want to be an eco-friendly traveller, you’re going to have to work for it. This collection of tips, resources and ideas will help you reduce your environmental footprint wherever you travel” “To change the way you look at travel, try to seek out designations such as the Green Destination Standard, which sets environmental, […]

The post The Globe and Mail: A guide to understanding your impact on the environment and how to reduce it appeared first on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Sustainable travelling is finding effective ways to be a tourist, without harming the natural surroundings and resources of the place you visit. The emphasis is on reducing our so called ‘footprint’, in this context defined as our personal negative effect on the places we visit. So defined, it also involves considering the impact of tourism […]

The post Sustainable Travel – Travel the Smarter Way (University Observer) appeared first on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

After an extensive and competitive process which saw The University of Queensland (UQ) receive 42 applications from around the world, three PhD candidates have now been awarded scholarships to begin research into some of the most pressing issues facing Australia’s ecotourism industry.

The topics, decided on jointly by Ecotourism Australia and The University of Queensland, include overtourism, low carbon futures and social licence.

Ecotourism Australia CEO Rod Hillman says that these topics align closely with needs that are high on the agenda for many Ecotourism Australia members.

“These three topics centre around issues of community participation, protecting and conserving Australia’s special places and taking a stronger stance on climate action – which all require an evidence-based approach, said Mr Hillman.

“Thanks to our partnership with The University of Queensland, we can now take real strides in learning about how we can best address these issues and deliver measurable outcomes for communities and Ecotourism Australia’s members.”

Dr Sally Driml, a tourism expert from the UQ Business School who coordinated the application process for the scholarships, said that the University was overwhelmed with the number of high-quality applications.

“It is encouraging to know that many emerging researchers wish to contribute to a better understanding of ecotourism and its role in a sustainable future for tourism,” said Dr Driml.

“We are confident that the students will produce some very useful research with impact for the industry.”

The students were selected based on their academic performance and experience in the ecotourism industry and will begin their research in early 2020. A fourth scholarship will be finalised in the new year.

The scholarships are funded by the University of Queensland under a Memorandum of Understanding between UQ and Ecotourism Australia which will see both parties contribute expertise. All the candidates will be enrolled in the UQ Business School.

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For questions and comments, please contact: Rod Hillman – CEO 0427 279 414

Additional info

Ecotourism Australia signed a partnership agreement with The University of Queensland in November 2018 after an already long-held, positive working relationship between the two organisations. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2n7l3X7.

[Header image from left to right: Mrs Csilla Demeter (candidate), Dr Sally Driml (advisor), Ms Sonya Underdahl (candidate), Dr Noreen Breakey (advisor), Professor Brent Ritchie (advisor).]

The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) released a new tourism industry study, The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2019. The report highlights growing consumer demand for sustainable travel experiences and analyzes the role businesses and destinations play in mainstreaming responsible tourism. The report contends that while consumer demand for responsible tourism continues to […]

The post The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends & Statistics 2019 by CREST appeared first on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Whilst the general public – and the tourism industry – are beginning to wake up to the need for more sustainable business models and consumption patterns, Australia’s ecotourism industry has long been ahead of the game.

Driven by passionate tourism operators for whom sustainability has always been front and centre, Australia’s certified ecotourism operators have been taking action on climate change, preserving culture and traditions, contributing to conservation and benefitting their local communities from the very beginning.

Today, 40% of tourism operators certified through Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Certification program are recognised as Green Travel Leaders, meaning they have held certification for 10 years or longer. Among these are 26 who have been certified for at least 20 years.

Ecotourism Australia CEO Rod Hillman says this is an indication that being certified does not just give you credibility, set your business apart from competitors and allow you to become part of a supportive community of likeminded operators; it’s also a sign that a focus on sustainability contributes to the longevity of your business.

“Forty percent of our members have been certified for 10 years or longer – including 26 who have been with us for 20 years! This is a clear indication that doing the right thing by the planet and its inhabitants is also doing the right thing for your business.”

Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Certification program measures not just a tourism operator’s interaction with their natural environment, but also:

• Business management and operational planning
• Responsible marketing
• Customer satisfaction
• Environmental management
• Interpretation and education
• Contribution to conservation
• Working with local communities
• Environmental respect and sensitivity. 

The 26 20-year operators will be inducted into the Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame during the official dinner of the Global Eco Conference 2019, to be held at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park on Tuesday, 3 December 2019.

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For questions and comments, please contact:

Rod Hillman – CEO 

0427 279 414

Only 200km from the mainland of Australia, Northern Tasmania is a treasure trove of natural wonders with stunning landscapes, unique animals and plants and a rich diversity of sea life.

Home to the world’s second largest temperate rainforest – the Tarkine, spectacular dolerite mountains, wild river and cave systems and a rugged coastline with long sandy beaches and grassy woodlands, there is so much to discover in this magnificent region!

With over 477,000 hectares of Tarkine wilderness to explore and such a vast array of experiences available (suitable for all ages and levels of fitness – on land and in the water), why not let one of our remarkable certified operators take the stress out of your next trip on the wild – or mild – side, by making sure you don’t miss out on anything!

Photo Credit: Tasmanian Walking Company

Our operators know the region like the back of their hand and will have you walking, living and breathing in all the natural beauty and wonder of the Tasmanian wilderness before you can say platypus.  They offer a wide variety of unique experiences to suit everybody’s needs, including walking and floating through canyons, short and easy walks through temperate rainforests, multi-day trekking adventures along the world-famous Overland Track, and mountain biking down the iconic Cradle Mountain.

So, whether you want to experience it all with your own two feet (bushwalking, hiking, trekking, tramping (whichever you like to call it!)), explore it on two wheels (enjoying everything from cross country and downhill trails, to relaxing rides along quiet country roads with scenic coastal views) or see it from a boat (to enjoy the vast river network that offers everything from white water thrills to calm, peaceful rides), we’ve got plenty of operators ready to take you on an unforgettable journey.

And just for your convenience, we’ve listed them all below to help get your holiday ball rolling!

Photo Credit: Tarkine Trails

Tarkine Trails offer small group walking experiences into the wilds of the takayna/Tarkine wilderness of Tasmania. Specialising in quality, deep immersion wilderness experiences that showcase the true beauty and power of a wilderness landscape, their expeditions are between four and six days long.

Check them out on our Green Travel Guide.

Photo Credit: Tasmanian Walking Company

Tasmanian Walking Company offer fully guided walking experiences that will immerse you in some of the most pristine environments Tasmania has to offer – including the incredible Cradle Mountain. Tasmanian Walking Company’s goal is to provide an outstanding opportunity for visitors to step out of everyday life into nature and be revitalised, and to experience a fresh, profound perspective of humanity, the environment and the possibilities they embody.

Find them on our Green Travel Guide here.

Photo Credit: Tasmanian Expeditions

Tasmanian Expeditions offer active, responsible, memorable and experience-rich trips exploring the remote, rugged and iconic parts of Tasmania. They’ll give you opportunities to challenge yourself in nature and tick off some bucket list-worthy destinations. Meanwhile, you’ll bypass some of the main Tasmanian tourist attractions in favour of exploring Tasmania’s more remote corners, giving you access to places you may never have discovered on your own.

Check them out on our Green Travel Guide.

Photo Credit: Cradle Mountain Canyons

Cradle Mountain Canyons is a small outdoor adventure company owned and operated by Tasmanians with a passion for the great outdoors.Experienced and qualified guides will lead you through the stunning canyons found only a stone’s throw away from Cradle Mountain. You can choose between an action-packed day of waterfall jumps and slides in the Dove Canyon or a much easier introduction to the world of canyoning in the Lost World Canyon.

Find them on our Green Travel Guide here.

Photo Credit: Overland Track

The Overland Track is a true wilderness walk which travels through spectacular mountain scenery, near beautiful waterfalls, through a variety of fascinating ecosystems and close to Tasmania s highest mountain, before finishing at Australia’s deepest lake, Lake St Clair.

Check out the Overland Track here.

Photo Credit: Tarkine Wilderness Lodge

If you’re looking for a stunning place to lay your head after all of that adventure, check out Tarkine Wilderness Lodge. Nestled on 200 acres of privately-owned land, this lodge offers guests complete seclusion from the outside world and guarantees you will fall in love with and lose yourself in the serenity that is the Tarkine. Relax and enjoy the exclusive use of the lodge and its facilities, including three luxurious suites with private bathroom facilities and beautiful vistas of the surrounding rainforest. You can also let their experienced guides take you on a breathtaking and informative journey through the ancient 60-million-year-old forest.

Find Tarkine Wilderness Lodge on our Green Travel Guide here.

 Photo Credit: 41 Degrees South Salmon and Ginseng Farm

 If you’re looking for something a little different, why not check out 41 Degrees South Salmon and Ginseng Farm? Thisfarm is a family-run sustainable inland farm and unique tourist attraction located in the heart of Tasmania’s North. The farm grows Atlantic salmon and ginseng varieties in natural conditions and is open seven days a week for free tastings and self-guided tours of the farm and wetlands, allowing you to wander past the freshwater salmon ponds, ginseng nursery, along a boardwalk through wetlands and to a viewing area of Montana Cascades.

Find them on our Green Travel Guide here.

If you’re keen to check out the rest of the state, make sure you visit our Green Travel Guide and search for ‘Tasmania’ for more great eco experiences, including:

• Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
• Under Down Under Tours
• Wineglass Bay Cruises
• East Coast Cruises
• Freycinet Experience Walk
• Par Avion
• Roaring 40°s Kayaking
• Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences
• Trek Tasmania

Owned and directed by Janelle and Adam Marr, Step Beyond Strategy is a values-based strategy consultancy that helps its clients realise their business’ potential. Offering strategic advisory services andexecution support services across a range of sectors, Step Beyond Strategy focuses on understanding future landscapes and leveraging emerging opportunities – turning them into strong, functional and practical plans that deliver genuine environmental, social and financially sustainable outcomes.

Photo: Janelle and Adam Marr / Step Beyond Strategy Facebook

”We’re concentrating on meaningful projects that will have real impact and give back to community, society and organisations. Through futures thinking, we have the opportunity to create the future we want for our business, our community and future generations.” says Janelle Marr.

On top of the services they provide, Janelle and Adam have made some incredible social contributions over the years, getting involved with pro-bono sustainability projects, directorships and committee representation across a range of sectors and assisting with industry and community mentor programs. They are also very conscientious when it comes to finding ways to reduce their environmental footprint. So far, they have successfully implemented a water and material reuse and recycling program, they power their business with 100% renewable electricity and use electric bikes and hybrid vehicles.  Through biodiversity and native tree planting offsets, Step Beyond Strategy has become 100% carbon neutral.

We are happy to welcome Step Beyond Strategy to the Ecotourism Australia Business Community.

To find out more about Step Beyond Strategy, visit out the business’ website here.