WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO STAY AT THE GLOBAL ECO CONFERENCE 2020
The Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference, the premier event of Ecotourism Australia, will be held 1-3 December 2020 in Margaret River, Western Australia. Now in its 28th year, it’s no coincidence that Global Eco attracts the world’s leading ecotourism operators, protected area managers and tourism professionals.
TEN TOURISM BUSINESSES INDUCTED INTO ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME
Ten of Australia's leading nature-based tourism businesses were inducted into Ecotourism Australia's Hall of Fame this month, recognised for being ECO certified for 20 years.
The new inductees join 25 other ecotourism businesses in the Hall of Fame.
Ecotourism Australia CEO Rod Hillman acknowledged this year’s awardees as some of Australia’s leading operators in ecotourism. “Their longevity and continued success, particularly in light of unprecedented industry challenges, is testament to their innovative spirits, continued commitment to sustainable business practices, and dedication to benefiting the communities and environments in which they operate,” he said.
Owners of Hall of Fame business Cruise Maroochy, Kate and Denis proudly referred to their 20 years of ECO certification as a “badge of honour”.
”While 2020 has been a hard, we are now busy introducing brand new ECO cruises to a captivated domestic market,” she said. Kate emphasised the importance of Cruise Maroochy’s ECO certification in proving quality and authenticity to locals and travellers alike.
Moonshadow Cruises Business Operations Manager James Mcarthur highlighted the importance of their ecotourism credentials.
“The public have become so much more aware and informed on environmental issues and it is a privilege to be able to educate people through ecotourism,” he said. “The desire for more nature-based products has increased exponentially over the years and I believe it will continue to become more prominent in the future. We look forward to being a part of that growth.”
When asked how their business values align with their ECO certification, Araucaria Ecotours owner Ronda Green highlighted “nature appreciation, education, conservation, and the protection of biodiversity” as primary business motives.
Ronda said she is excited by emerging opportunities in the industry. “In addition to our original tours we plan to diversify our business, emphasising education, nature activities, and study camps for amateur naturalists,” she said
Ecotourism Australia’s 2020 Hall of Fame entrants include:
• Araucaria Ecotours (QLD)
• Broken River Mountain Resort (QLD)
• Capricorn Caves (QLD)
• Cruise Maroochy Eco Tours (QLD)
• Daintree River Cruise Centre (QLD)
• Imagine Cruises - Port Stephens (NSW)
• Kingfisher Cruises (VIC)
• Moonshadow Cruises – TQC (NSW)
• Sailaway (QLD)
• Tread Lightly Eco Tours (NSW)
NEW DIRECTORS ANNOUNCED FOR ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA
Ecotourism Australia’s members have elected two new directors and three returning directors to the Ecotourism Australia Board, as announced during yesterday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Brisbane and streamed nationally via videoconference.
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45% OF ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA MEMBERS CERTIFIED FOR 10+ YEARS
A focus on sustainability is not new to Australia’s nature-based tourism sector, with almost half of Ecotourism Australia certified operators now certified for a decade or longer.