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
