Coffs Coast awarded for commitment to culture and tradition at ITB Berlin

Every year in March the world of international tourism gathers at ITB Berlin - the world’s leading travel trade show and this year, two Australian destinations have been recognised at the prestigious Global Green Destinations Story Awards, presented in Berlin overnight.

Coffs Coast was awarded third place in the Culture and Tradition Category, and both Coffs Coast and Central Coast were nominated in the People’s Choice Category in the global competition run by Green Destinations, Ecotourism Australia’s global partner.

Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive Elissa Keenan commended the two regions for this outstanding achievement and noted “Coffs Coast and Central Coast are two of our six ECO Certified Destinations in Australia, and we are immensely proud to see them recognised on the global stage.

“Being ECO Destination Certified recognises a regions’ commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.  Our program covers the four pillars of sustainability of environmental, socio-economic, cultural and sustainable management.

“It is particularly powerful to see Coffs Coast recognised for their commitment to culture and tradition in their region and the wonderful story celebrating Indigenous tourism in the region.”

Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC) Chief Executive Clark Webb shared "we are over the moon that our story was celebrated in Coffs Coast's winning entry of this prestigious global award.

"We couldn’t quite believe that we were even nominated in the first place, so for the Coffs Coast to win in this elite group of culture and tradition tourism stories from around the world is simply mind blowing.

 “We’re honoured and proud that the story of our Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School and our cultural tourism businesses on the Coffs Coast can be told far and wide,” said Webb, who is also the owner-operator of Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, an ECO Certified business in the Coffs Coast region.

Both the Coffs Coast and Central Coast are committed to working with their operators and their community to increase sustainability initiatives, including promoting ECO Certification and Sustainable Tourism Certification, across their entire region.

The Coffs Coast’s winning entry is Two Path Strong which celebrates Aboriginal tourism on the Coffs Coast and the rich culture that has supported the establishment of the first bilingual school of an Aboriginal language in NSW – the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School (GGFS).

Coffs Coast was awarded ECO Destination certification in 2021, and Central Coast closely followed in 2022. Both destinations continue to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism practises across four pillars of sustainability.

Image: Siobhan Shaw (Regional Manager, Destination NSW) received the award on behalf of Coffs Coast, awarded by Albert Salman (President, Green Destinations). Image credit: Destination NSW