Latest news and insights from various sources relating to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D) has achieved the ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status. The Japan Sustainable Tourism Standard for Destinations (JSTS-D) which is based on the GSTC Criteria for Destinations, was developed by Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and […]
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Criterion A1: Hotel Sustainability Management System – Implementation Guidance This Guidance document aims at helping hotels get started in fulfilling criterion A1 – Sustainability Management System (SMS) of the GSTC Industry Criteria. GSTC Member Greenview, a leading sustainability consulting and research firm with over a decade of experience working with dozens of hotel companies, has […]
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The Ecotourism Australia family extends a warm welcome to the North Star Holiday Resort who have recently achieved ECO Certification at the Ecotourism level. This means the North Star is dedicated not only to offering prime accommodation but also leaving a minimal impact on the environment, offering captivating ways of learning to care for the environment, contributing to conservation and helping local communities.
The North Star Holiday Resort is a multi-winning resort situated in Hastings Point of the Tweed Coast bordering the breath-taking Cudgen Nature Reserve. Hastings Point is a unique location known for its diverse and vast ecosystems as well as its abundance of important species, natural landscapes, and cultural areas.
The North Star Holiday Resort welcomes holidayers of all kinds and all budgets, with offerings stemming from leafy campsites and caravan spots to trendy holiday cabins and airy villas with all the luxuries of a five-star hotel. North Star may well remind you of a mini city with its unparalleled abundance of onsite services and facilities including a licensed restaurant and bar, kids club, beauty salon, saunas, and even its very own water park!
Over 40 years, the owners of North Star, Ian and Diana Beadel, have been working towards minimising their resort’s carbon and human footprint for the sake of the environment and sustainable tourism. This is displayed through the wealth of eco initiatives at the resort, with one of their primary initiatives being the one of a kind Marine Environments Field Studies and Research Centre and Museum which has been making significant contributions to environmental education since 2008.
The recently refurbished centre offers state of the art technology and displays through which visitors may have an interactive and inspiring educational experience. Kerrie, one of the passionate educators sums up their intention with the centre, “We want to inspire people to experience nature. In turn, they are encouraged to look at their individual footprints and become empowered to take responsibility for protecting our oceans, beaches, rock pools, creeks, rivers and our unique country, now and into the future”, she said.
Guests are also provided with important educational materials regarding walking tracks, native fauna and flora, indigenous heritage and how they can help preserve the local habitat, meaning they will not only have an immersive experience but also one that is respectful to the local habitats and people.
Apart from its recent Ecotourism Certification, North Star was the seventh holiday park out of approximately 2,700 in Australia to gain Gold Status in the Caravan and Camping Industry Gumnut Awards program, recognising their commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate social sustainability. They have deservingly upheld their Gold Gumnut status by implementing over 50 environmental or sustainable initiatives over the years. Some of these include installing meters to offset and power the administration building, planting 450 indigenous local native plants, and using local produce grown in onsite community gardens.
North Star is also greatly supportive of the local community through regular donations, fundraising events and providing free room hire to local organisations, amongst many things!
Once again, we are thrilled to have North Star onboard the Ecotourism Australia team and we can’t wait to see what they have in store next!
To learn more about North Start Holiday Resort check out their Facebook page or website.
[All photos courtesy of North Star Holiday Resort]
GSTC Announces Expanding Online Training to Sustainable Business Travel and Sustainable Hotel Courses March 26, 2021 – The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the leading global authority on sustainability standards for travel and tourism, expands its successful Sustainable Tourism Training Program (STTP) to include Sustainable Business Travel courses and Sustainable Hotels courses. The program […]
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