Chief Executive highlights Ecotourism Australia's 2022 achievements

Reflecting on the past 12 months, Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive, Elissa Keenan, is encouraged to see the continued strengthening of eco and sustainable tourism practices in the face of ongoing challenges.

Keenan notes “the impact from both pandemic restrictions and devastating floods is heartbreaking for our ECO certified operators and destinations that have worked tirelessly to rebuild their lives and communities. The Ecotourism Australia team continue to be inspired by your strength and perseverance in these times of hardship.

“Ecotourism Australia has had a very productive year and I wanted to take this time to share with you some of the incredible work from our ECO certified operators and our team, driving change across the industry.”

Keenan spotlights the following achievements within the Ecotourism Australia community

• 33 new certified operators

• 5 new destinations

• 2 destinations fully certified

• 48 certified operators winning 55 state tourism awards

• 10 certified operators entering the Hall of Fame

• 36 certified operators becoming Green Travel Leaders

As the peak body for sustainable and ecotourism, Keenan highlights that Ecotourism Australia “continue to advocate for quality sustainable tourism standards as the industry builds back stronger post pandemic. Through our participation at government roundtable discussions, policy submissions and industry forums, Ecotourism Australia has demonstrated our commitment to improving the landscape of Australia’s tourism industry by championing globally recognised sustainability practices.

“Our partnerships with key organisations across Australia and internationally are vital to building a stronger sustainable tourism industry. Through our funding program with WWF-Australia, we hosted our inaugural ECO Think Destination forum on Gumbaynggirr Country in the Coffs Coast region of New South Wales. We have also grown valuable partnerships with Tourism Australia and the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), in addition to the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse and Deloitte Access Economics, working together to drive sustainable practice throughout the industry.

“With more than 30 years' experience in eco and sustainable tourism in Australia, we recognised our responsibility to provide a framework for the wider tourism industry to start their sustainability journey. In November 2022, we launched Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, with founding partner Tourism Australia, Sustainable Tourism Certification and Sustainable Tourism Destination Certification for businesses and destinations that want to be recognised for their sustainability efforts. We are thrilled to watch the Ecotourism Australia community grow through these programs.”

Image above: Surf N Dirt Adventure Tours Margaret River The Shire of Augusta Margaret River received certification as an ECO Destination by Ecotourism Australia in 2022