Quality tourism dominates Australian tourism awards

Kym Cheatham of EcoTourism Australia

Quality tourism experiences with ECO, ROC and Climate Action certification have dominated the winners’ lists at the State and Territory Tourism Awards held around Australia over the past month. 

These winners are now finalists for the Australian Tourism Awards in March 2012.

"Thirty nine of the winners announced in ceremonies across the country are ECO, Respecting Our Country (ROC), or Climate Action certified tourism operators," Ecotourism Australia CEO, Ms Kym Cheatham said. "This demonstrates that certified tourism operators are the highest standard quality tourism experiences in Australia."

Tourism businesses who undertake certification make a commitment to sustainable practices and the provision of a quality experience for the traveller.

"These organisation’s commitment to environmental best practice, business ethics and social and cultural responsibilities ensure a quality product and ultimately, deliver on Australia’s reputation as a tourist destination." Ms Cheatham said. "The Australian tourism industry and most importantly the tourism experience is richer for the efforts of these organisations."

Certification has long been used as a tool for improvement and as a guideline to determine how your business meets current best practice standards. It has also resulted in Australia gaining global recognition as a leading ecotourism destination.

"As a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, we are proud that these Australia tourism experiences are leading the world in sustainable tourism experiences", said Kym Cheatham.

Developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide recognition of cultural protocols and authenticity. Indigenous cultural experiences offer a competitive advantage to the Australian tourism industry. In a competitive industry environment, tourism businesses that operate at national industry standards have the greatest potential to benefit from opportunities available. A business with ROC accreditation will be recognised in the industry as having sustainable business and environmental practices.

Ecotourism Australia introduced the world first environmental certification program for the tourism industry in 1996. To be ECO certified, 50% of the tourism experience must be nature based.

In 2008, Ecotourism Australia was awarded the prestigious World Travel and Tourism Council "Tourism for Tomorrow" Award for Conservation at the World Tourism Summit in recognition of Ecotourism Australia’s significant contribution to the conservation and preservation of natural heritage.

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2012 Special Offers HERE