30 November 2009

Tourism Awards Dominated by Accredited Businesses

Australia Tourism Award finalists dominated by accredited businesses

Around Australia in the last couple of weeks, the State and Territory Tourism Awards winners have been announced and the list is dominated by accredited businesses.

These businesses go on to represent their State in the Australian Tourism Awards in February next year.

“Thirty five of the winners announced in ceremonies across the country are ECO, Respecting Our Country (ROC), EcoGuide or Climate Action certified tourism operators,” Ecotourism Australia CEO, Ms Kym Cheatham stated. “This demonstrates that certified tourism operators are creating a high standard for the Australian Tourism industry.”

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

“These business’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.”

NEW SOUTH WALES:

• Major Tour and/or Transport Operators: Moonshadow Cruises (ECO Certified)
• Adventure Tourism: Tri State Safaris (ECO Certified)
• Unique Accommodation: Old Leura Dairy (ECO Certified)
• Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism: Crystal Creek Meadows Luxury Cottages & Spa Retreat (ECO and Climate Action Certified)
• The Sunday Telegraph People’s Choice Award: Taronga Zoo Roar and Snore (ECO Certified)

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

• Ecotourism: Alice Springs Desert Park (ECO Certified)
• Major Attraction: Yellow Waters Cruises (ECO Certified)
• Outstanding Interpretive Guide Category: Paula Moloney (Gecko Canoeing/NT Immersions) (EcoGuide Certified)

QUEENSLAND:

• Tourist Attractions: Daintree Discovery Centre (ECO Certified)
• Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award: Capricorn Caves (ECO Certified)
• Heritage and Cultural Tourism: Paronella Park (ECO Certified)
• Major Tour or Transport Operators: Passions of Paradise (ECO Certified)
• Tour or Transport Operators: The Discovery Group (ECO Certified)
• Adventure Tourism: Passions of Paradise (ECO Certified)
• Hosted Accommodation: Hidden Valley Cabins (ECO Certified)
• Unique Accommodation: Fantasea Adventure Cruising (ECO Certified)
• Standard Accommodation: Noorla Heritage Resort (ECO Certified)
• Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism: Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (ECO Certified)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

• Ecotourism Sinclair's Gully (ECO Certified)
• Indigenous Tourism Bookabee Tours Australia (ECO and ROC Certified)
• Meetings & Business Tourism Adelaide Convention Centre (Climate Action Certified)
• Tour &/Or Transport Operator Surf & Sun (ECO Certified)
• Tourism Wineries Sinclair's Gully (ECO Certified)

VICTORIA

• HOSTPlus Award for Indigenous Tourism: Brambuk the National Park & Cultural Centre (ROC Certified)
• Destination Melbourne Award for Tour and/or Transport Operators: Bunyip Tours (ECO Certified)
• Parks Victoria Award for Adventure Tourism: Bogong Horseback Adventures (ECO Certified)
• Metlink Award for Backpacker Accommodation: Melbourne Metro YHA (ECO Certified)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

• Tourist Attractions: Willie Creek Pearl Farm (ECO Certified)
• Specialised Tourism Services: Willie Creek Pearls (ECO Certified)
• Major Tour and/or Transport Operators: Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tours (ECO Certified)
• Unique Accommodation: Forest Rise Eco Retreat (ECO Certified)
• Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Winner: Adventure Out Australia (ECO Certified)

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.