2nd March 2007

Awards prove ecotourism is now a mainstream winner.

CEO of Ecotourism Australia, Stephen Pahl, congratulated the winners of the Australian Travel Awards announced last week and said the winners are proof that ecotourism products are mainstream winners.

“ECO Certified Quicksilver, Fantasea and Eco Discovery Tours were all national winners of major categories in the awards,” Stephen Pahl said.

“We are delighted but not surprised that these companies that care passionately for the sustainability of their operations create such an outstanding experience for tourists,” he said.

“For anyone who needed proof that ecotourism has mainstream appeal and economic relevance these winners are perfect evidence.”

Quicksilver Group was winner of the Major Tour and Transport Operators award, Fantasea Cruises Reef World was winner of the Significant Tourist Attractions award and Eco Discovery Tours was winner of the Cultural and Heritage award.

“All three of these companies have Advanced Ecotourism Certification and the criteria they have to meet for this ensure their clients gain a greater understanding of the environment and culture as well as contributing to its conservation,” Stephen Pahl said.

He said that companies concerned to do the right thing for the environment and for the local community are typically companies that reach for the highest standards in everything they do.

“Australia has absolutely outstanding natural attractions and these ECO Certified operators are leading the way in giving international and domestic tourists a memorable experience of our unique natural heritage,” Stephen Pahl said.

“Their passion for the environment they are sharing with tourists gives these companies the edge in a competitive market.”

Ecotourism Australia is the peak national body for the ecotourism industry.  It aims to grow and promote ecotourism and to assist tourism operators to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially and culturally responsible.

It is a non-profit organisation with membership that includes tour operators, ecotourism accommodation, tourism planners, protected area managers, academics and students, regional tourism associations and travellers.

Ecotourism Australia’s certification program is a world first.  It provides objective monitoring and auditing of organisations’ ecotourism claims and provides travels agents and tourists with an assurance of best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and quality ecotourism experiences.


ENDS

For more information contact:
Kym Cheatham, Chief Executive Officer,
Ecotourism Australia
E: ceo@ecotourism.org.au M: 0427 279 414
www.ecotourism.org.au
ABN 92 909 103 274

The Ecotourism Australia vision: "To be leaders in assisting ecotourism and other committed tourism operations to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially and culturally responsible".
Ecotourism Australia was formed in 1991 as an incorporated non-profit organisation, and is the peak national body for the ecotourism industry. Ecotourism Australia aims to grow and promote ecotourism and to assist tourism operators to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially and culturally responsible.

Membership includes tour operators, ecotourism accommodation, tourism planners, protected area managers, academics and students, regional tourism associations and travellers.
Ecotourism Australia’s certification program ECO is a world first. It provides objective monitoring and auditing of organisations’ ecotourism claims and provides travel agents and tourists with an assurance of best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and quality ecotourism experiences.

Ecotourism Australia recently added ROC (Respect Our Culture) Certification for Indigenous Tourism operators and Climate Action Australia Certification to help the tourism industry work towards a more sustainable future.

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.