Category Archives: News

We are excited to welcome our newest certified operator, Cape Tribulation Horse Rides, who have just achieved Ecotourism Certification for their horse rides, Polaris UTV Afternoon Tour, Polaris Electric UTV Night Adventure and Quad Bike Eco Walk.

 

 

As the only horse riding operator in the area, Cape Tribulation Horse Rides offers customers a once in a lifetime experience riding horses along beautiful Myall Beach or taking electric ‘Polaris Ranger’ buggies and quad bikes through the rainforest. There are many plant species seen throughout the tours, and the area is home to a wide range of bird species and butterflies. Fortunate customers may even get the chance to see white-breasted eagles and crocodiles hanging around the trails. During whale season, humpback whales can be spotted from the beach as well.

 

 

On the daytime tours, experienced guides take customers through the rainforest. Here, customers have the opportunity to see native plants and wildlife – including tree kangaroos! Guides also take customers to crystal clear mountain streams and to the beach, where they can go for a refreshing swim and enjoy refreshments and lunch.

 

 

 

If anyone is keen on a night tour in the oldest rainforest in the world, Cape Tribulation Horse Rides have got just the thing. During their Polaris Electric UTV Night Adventure, customers get the Jurassic feel while navigating through the Daintree area. Cape Tribulation Horse Rides have got self-driven, electric ATVs to assist all customers on this exciting opportunity.

 

 

 

With experienced and well-trained staff members, Cape Tribulation Horse Rides ensures that their operation leaves a minimal impact on the environment and provides all guests with unforgettable tours. Their emphasis on sustainability can be seen in their use of solar power to run all electrical equipment, use of electric vehicles for tours, encouragement to staff to ride or walk to work, use of biodegradable products wherever possible, preference for locally sourced products to reduce emissions and support the local community, monitoring of emissions, use of organic waste to make compost, reuse and recycling paper and plastic, monitoring of soil conditions, participating in feral animal and weed control and working with relevant organisations to report injured, rare or endangered wildlife.

We here at Ecotourism Australia are happy to welcome Cape Tribulation Horse Rides to as a certified operator and would like to congratulate them on their achievement.   

 

 [Photos from Cape Tribulation Horse Rides’ website and Facebook page.]

 

Trails were the theme on the Adventure stage at ITB Berlin last week. Their power to connect and foster social interactions generates social benefits for both tourists and locals which is crucial for sustainable tourism development.

“Quality through Creativity” Led the 2019 GSTC Asia-Pacific Sustainable Tourism Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand The 2019 GSTC Asia-Pacific Sustainable Tourism Conference “Quality through Creativity” took place from Febraury 27th to March 2nd in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Organized by Thailand’s Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC), the […]

The post “Quality Through Creativity” Led the 2019 GSTC Asia-Pacific Sustainable Tourism Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand appeared first on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Ecotourism Australia is pleased to announce that Managing Australian Destinations has joined its membership as a new Business Member.

Managing Australian Destinations is a Queensland-based destination management company providing a range of ground management, event production services and team building activities for group movements around Australia.

With 25 years of operating experience and a company commitment to environment practises, Managing Australian Destinations promotes the use of Ecologically sensitive suppliers and promotes environmental awareness through its management practises and event design.

Managing Australian Destinations offers tourism products ranging from personalised tours and team building activities to product launches and gala events. Some of its unique tourism products and services feature coral health team building exercises and a proclivity for managing themed galas and dinners.

Team Building – Coral Brief

In running personalised team building activities, one option is the Coral Brief. This activity provides the opportunity to contribute to helping sustain one of the great wonders of our world while forming new bonds and lasting memories with team mates.

Coral Brief takes guests to the Low Isles, about 1 hour from Port Douglas. Here, guests are provided with an educational experience learning about reef health and contributing to scientific research by measuring coral health with coral health ID charts and underwater writing slates. Guests can choose from a range of transport options on the coral cay from stand-up paddle boards, to snorkelling, or by foot.

Dinners and Events

Managing Destinations Australia can design and run dinners and events catering from an intimate 30-person dinner on a remote beach in the Kimberly to a 3000 person dinner in the tropical rain forest.

Having won the European Incentive & Business Travel Mart’s international award for the most environmentally conscious Destination Management Company, Managing Australian Destinations has a furthered their commitment to sustainability by joining ECO Tourism Australia as a Business Member. We are glad to welcome Managing Australian Destinations to our Business Membership and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

To find out more about Managing Australian Destinations visit their Website or Facebook page.

[Photos courtesy of Managing Australian Destinations website]

At ITB travel trade show in Berlin, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) signed a ‘memorandum of understanding’ with The Code and ECPAT International to work together to expand standards for the protection of children and to take other measures to end this crime. “Sustainable tourism is on the rise, consumer demand is growing for […]

The post GSTC, The Code and ECPAT International join forces to end the sexual exploitation of children by in travel and tourism appeared first on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

According to the ‘Sun, Sand, and Ceilings: Women in Tourism and Hospitality Boardrooms – 2018 Report’ by Equality in Tourism International, the overall representations of women on travel and tourism companies/organizations boards has increased from 15% in 2013 to 23%. However, the representation of women on the GSTC Board of Directors is 50%. “Men are seen […]

The post Gender Equality on GSTC Board of Directors – According to Equality in Tourism International appeared first on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

For Judith Muir of Polperro Dolphin Swims, teaching students to become custodians of their own futures is about “entertaining greatly whist educating gently.”

It is her belief in the power of education and her deep care and concern for the marine environment, particularly around beautiful Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, that has seen Judith volunteer her time and expertise to Advanced Ecotourism Certified Polperro Dolphin Swims as acting education/conservation liaison.

Judith, who has been part of the Polperro team for 33 years, says she is inspired by the business’ dedicated and talented crew:

“Polperro has long been known for its highest quality tours and authenticity,” she says, explaining that she works with the team to provide powerful educational experiences for guests.

Volunteering on several occasions to facilitate school groups on board Polperro, as well as running follow up presentations that discuss key environmental issues facing waterways, Judith notes that it is her strong belief that we must educate and empower our youth to become custodians of the land.

Judith is also the instigator of a new program called the Canopy of Care. This program is a collective of like-minded organisations which work together to provide educational resources and on-site experiences that inform people about important environmental issues, particularly those which affect Australia’s coasts and waterways. Judy says the program is aimed to inspire and encourage young adults to take action.

“By entertaining greatly whilst educating gently, students are encouraged and resourced to become custodians of their own futures, she explains.

“Conservation through education is essential.”

The Canopy of Care has developed and provides a number of services, including teacher resources, fieldwork activities, advice and assistance for schools running fieldwork trips at Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula coastline, expert guest speakers for fieldwork trips or school visits, professional development opportunities for teaching staff and inspiration and support for community-based projects.

Judith is a strong believer that if people are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the environment, they will see its beauty and take the necessary actions to protect it.

Her willingness and ability to pass on her intimate knowledge of the environment and share her love of all things found in the ecosystem are part of Judith’s key pillars. That’s why she’s spent her lifetime dedicated to environmental sustainability – a value that she, through her passion and knowledge, passes onto the next generation daily.

Thank you, Judith, for all you do – and to the Polperro Dolphin Swim’s team for nominating Judith!  

For more information on Polperro Dolphin Swims, visit their website or Facebook page.

For more information on our other Everyday Ecotourism Heroes, check out the other articles in this series:

• Edition 1: Ronda Green, Araucaria Ecotours
• Edition 2: Zane Robnik, Park Trek
• Edition 3: Jess Leask, Kings Ningaloo Reef
• Edition 4: Zak Kelly, Whitsunday Segway Tours
• Edition 5: Tracey Larkin, Mt Barney Lodge
• Edition 6: Alex Crowe, Broger’s End Kangaroo Valley
• Edition 7: Elizabeth Hackett, Magnums Backpackers

Is there someone in your business who you think is an Everyday Ecotourism Hero? Tell us about them!

Have we piqued your interest in travelling sustainably? Make sure you check out our Green Travel Guide and news page for some eco travel inspiration!

Congratulations to Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours for achieving Ecotourism and ROC certification for their stand-up paddle board tours and Giingan tour.

Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours (WYAT) are running their tours on Gumbaynggirr land. All guides at WYAT are Aboriginal with permission from local elders. During their stand-up paddle tours, customers will not only be paddling in the beautiful Solitary island Marine Park, but also learn local stories on the Gumbaynggirr people. Depending on the tide, tours are running in three different locations and each location has its own stories. WYAT experienced guides will adjust their tours to the level of the group, hence no previous experience of stand-up paddle boarding is necessary. All tours also include bush tucker information, damper making and information on the local language.

 

Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours (Facebook)

Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours take great pride in keeping the Aboriginal culture alive and telling the history of Aboriginal people. Some of their profits are invested in the local Aboriginal youth through not-for profit organisation. Their award winning Giingan Walking tour is a guided bushwalk in the beautiful East State Forest. This tour provides an exceptional learning experience on the local Aboriginal culture by some of the best speakers in Gumbaynggirr country.

 

Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours

 

Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours

Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours purchasing locally produced products and guests are can purchase hand made products of local Aboriginal artists.

We here at Ecotourism Australia would like to extend a warm welcome to Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours!

                               

The “Hotel Yearbook 2020 – Sustainable Hospitality” has been released and is available online for free. Along the same lines as previous editions of the Hotel Yearbook, the 2020 Sustainable Hospitality edition gathers the thoughts and research from a wide-ranging group of senior executives, analysts, consultants and opinion leaders from all over the world […]

The post Hotel Yearbook 2020 Sustainable Hospitality Now Released appeared first on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).