Ecotourism Australia partners with Tourism Australia to launch new sustainable tourism program

Ecotourism Australia, in partnership with Tourism Australia, has launched the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard program, an initiative open to all tourism businesses wishing to start their sustainability journey in a simple and affordable way.

According to Booking.com (2022), 81% of travellers confirm that sustainable travel is important to them, while research from Expedia (2022) found that seven in 10 consumers have avoided a tourism destination or transportation option due to scepticism that the commitment to sustainable practices was true.

The Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard program is designed for all businesses and operators in the tourism supply chain. The program provides businesses with a scorecard that measures where a business is at on their sustainability journey at a point in time. It leverages a simplified but not diluted set of Ecotourism Australia’s well established sustainability criteria, recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Advising that there had never been a more significant shift towards sustainability globally,

Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive, Elissa Keenan stated “travellers’ needs and expectation of what businesses are doing are changing. We know international visitors are actively seeking tours, accommodation and attractions that are able to demonstrate their commitment to responsible tourism.

“Through a founding partnership with Tourism Australia, we are delighted to launch this pathway program to support all tourism businesses to start their sustainability journey”.

All businesses involved in the tourism supply chain can participate, which may include (but is not limited to) cafes, restaurants, bars, breweries, tour providers, attractions, accommodation providers, events and festivals, travel agents, visitor centres and tourism consultants.

Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison “this Scorecard progam helps answers two of the key questions many of our tourism industry businesses, especially SME’s are asking, ‘where do I start?’ and ‘where am I starting from?’.”

The Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard complements Ecotourism Australia’s existing certification programs, which have been running for over 25 years. Businesses that complete the scorecard and wish to continue their sustainability journey can also apply for Ecotourism Australia’s new Sustainable Tourism Certification to receive official recognition for their sustainable initiatives and practices.

Ecotourism Australia has long been a pioneer within the tourism industry, supporting, promoting and recognising tourism operators for their commitment to holistic sustainable tourism, whilst creating the world’s first ECO Certification program.

More information is available at www.ecotourism.org.au/strive-4-sustainability