Category Archives: News

Less CO2 emissions, less waste, more green energy: TUI delivered 43 million “greener and fairer” holidays since 2015 84% growth in the number of customers staying in hotels with sustainability certification Sustainability certifications for hotels drive environmental and socio-economic improvements When TUI´s Better Holidays, Better World sustainability strategy was rolled out across the business […]

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Nature-based tourism operators in Queensland are being given a boost this month thanks to a new agreement between long-term industry partners, Ecotourism Australia (EA) and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) to cross-recognise each other’s certification programs.

EA certifies Australian nature-based tourism operators and destinations through its ECO, Respecting our Culture, Climate Action and destination certification programs. QTIC certifies Queensland-based tourism businesses through the national Quality Tourism Accreditation program.

Thanks to the new agreement, Ecotourism Australia’s over 200 certified operators in Queensland will receive all benefits of the Quality Tourism Accreditation program (QTAB).

These benefits include licencing to use the nationally recognised Quality Tourism Accreditation branding, access to their own ReviewPro online reputation management dashboard and automatic eligibility for the Queensland Tourism Awards. Operators will also only be charged one, unchanged fee and be subject to a single, triennial audit.

Chair of Ecotourism Australia, Dr Claire Ellis, praised the agreement, saying it was a logical evolution of the organisations’ long-standing relationship.

“Our industry relies on strong partnerships and now, more than ever before, it is vital we work together for the benefit of our operators and the industry more broadly. This will not only make businesses stronger and save them money but enable ourselves and QTIC to provide more integrated support as we work towards the sustainable recovery of our industry,” said Dr Ellis.

Shane O’Reilly, QTIC Chair and Managing Director of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, an Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame entrant, said that the agreement was a solid reflection of how both organisations focus on their members, their future sustainability and viability and engage them in ways to make their members more robust, and more resilient.

“While this will eventually strengthen both EA and QTIC as well, it is [the organisations’] focus on their members rather than themselves which makes this sharing of benefits such a special initiative. Tourism businesses need this type of initiative and grounded support and I encourage others in the political arena to take notice.”

Photo: QTIC CEO Daniel Gschwind and EA CEO Rod Hillman with the signed agreemenet

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Contact: Lina Cronin, Communications Manager: 07 3256 6777 / [email protected]

ADDITIONAL INFO

Ecotourism Australia (EA) is a not for profit, membership-based organisation inspiring environmentally sustainable and culturally responsible tourism. Internationally recognised through the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, EA designs and delivers certification programs for tourism products and destinations, assuring travellers that these are backed by a strong commitment to sustainability and quality.  For more information visit www.ecotourism.org.au.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) is the peak industry body for tourism in Queensland, acting as “The Voice of Tourism”. QTIC is a not-for-profit, private sector, membership-based organisation representing the interests of Queensland’s tourism and hospitality industry and working in partnership with government agencies and industry bodies at a local, state and national level to strengthen the voice of tourism in all relevant policy forums.  For more information visit  www.qtic.com.au.

Ensuring Ecotourism Australia’s certification remains world’s best practice and reflects current global trends in nature-based tourism and ecotourism, as well as promoting and profiling EA-certified tourism businesses, destinations and guides are key recommendations from Tourism and Events Queensland’s recently released Nature-based Tourism Strategy 2021–2024.

The New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a destination member. The New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau is a non-profit, political subdivision of Volusia County Government, established in 1987 that is charged with marketing southeast Volusia County and the cities of: Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, […]

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New York Times: How to Travel More Sustainably Don’t skimp on doing your own research, and be aware that ‘green’ certificates aren’t always all they’re cracked up to be. Looking for a hotel or tour operator that has earned a sustainability label might seem like a good place to start, but the reality isn’t so […]

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Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau (SCC&TB) has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau (SCC&TB) is a non-profit organization that is made up of businesses and organizations that wish to directly benefit from the products and services available to partners. […]

The post Sedona Joins GSTC appeared first on GSTC.

Ecotourism Australia is proud to announce its newest member, A.Kube Aviation, which has recently been certified at the Nature Tourism level. A.Kube Aviation is not only dedicated to providing a quality and exciting experience to its visitors but also one which assures its activities have a minimal impact on the environment.

Based in country Victoria and flying out of Nhill, Horsham and the Kube family’s very own airstrip, A.Kube Aviation takes visitors on scenic flights where they are exposed to a variety of exciting and wild places and sights.  A.Kube focuses on providing visitors with a once in a lifetime view into some of the natural, rare events in these areas. Some of these spectacular occurrences include watching the filling of Kati Thanda/Lake Eyre with water and viewing the flooded river of the Gulf of Carpentaria after a wet season. Through these trips, dedicated guides give visitors an insight and knowledge about the areas they view through the aircraft’s windows.  

Photo: A.Kube Aviation

The spell-binding Lake Eyre Kati Thanda 3-day tour features a spectacular view of the Diamantina River, beginning in central Queensland, past Birdsville and feeding into the Goyder Lagoon.  This is a sight best seen from the air which is sure to leave visitors speechless. 

The magical Gulf of Carpentaria 6-day trip is perfect for anyone seeking an explosion of patterns and colours.  Overlooking huge serpentine rivers and sprawling across the remote and wild savannah area, this trip is truly a feast for the senses.

The Grampians and Wimmera Scenic 1-1.5 hr flight is a quick yet thrilling view of the area, filled with colourful farming land, majestic mountain ranges, hidden valleys and waterfalls.  It is a quick taste of the incredible area from high up in the sky.

Photo: A.Kube Aviation

For anyone looking for a more in-depth view of our incredible Australia, the 11-day Kimberley and Western Australia Safari has you covered.  Flying from one side of the country to the other by air is an incomparable experience, especially when upon arrival you are exposed to the enormity of everything in the Kimberley:  Endless wild coastline, inland colours and huge lakes are all elements making for a truly unforgettable experience. 

In addition to the truly magical experiences it provides, A.Kube Aviation amazes with its variety of sustainability initiatives which all work towards ensuring these incredible sights will exist for generations to come.  A.Kube Aviation has made huge efforts towards offsetting its carbon emissions.  The company does this by planting trees on their farm, with thousands of trees already planted over the last 38 years. 

Photo: A.Kube Aviation

The Kube’s pride and joy, and main facilitator of these trips is the Cessna 210 aircraft.  This aircraft was chosen very deliberately, and due to its retractable landing gear and efficient airframe, it has amazing fuel economy for an aircraft of its type.  The Cessna 210 is also flown “Lean of Peak,” meaning the special fuel injectors and monitoring create a cleaner running engine that uses 15% less fuel than a usual set up.

A.Kube Aviation’s ethos lies in the belief that sharing the world’s beauty is an integral way of encouraging people to care for the environment. Through its trips, A.Kube Aviation provide a valuable education into the nature of the area as well as insights into the rural and remote communities visited.  Due to their 20 years in outback Queensland with First Nations people and rural communities, A.Kube Aviation’s staff ensure authentic information and amazing insights into the area and its cultures. 

Photo: A.Kube Aviation

Viewing wildlife in their natural habitats is also a large element of the tours, and for this reason, A.Kube Aviation ensures that this is done in a way that ensures there is no impact on wildlife’s natural behaviours and feeding patterns.  This is done through regular communications with partner organisations who advise on these regulations and recommendations. 

Once again, we are thrilled to welcome A.Kube Aviation to the Ecotourism Australia family and cannot wait to see all that is to come!  For more information on all A.Kube Aviation has to offer, visit their Facebook page or website.