Major Queensland tourism industry bodies collaborate for industry sustainability

A new agreement between long-term industry partners, Ecotourism Australia and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council will see the cross-recognition of each other’s certification programs.

Ecotourism Australia (EA) certifies Australian nature-based tourism operators and destinations through its ECO, Respecting our Culture, Climate Action and destination certification programs. Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) certifies Queensland-based tourism businesses through the national Quality Tourism Accreditation program.

The new agreement will see Ecotourism Australia’s over 200 certified operators in Queensland receive all benefits of the Quality Tourism Accreditation program (QTAB).

These benefits include licencing to use the nationally recognised Quality Tourism Accreditation branding, access to their own ReviewPro online reputation management dashboard and automatic eligibility for the Queensland Tourism Awards. Operators will also only be charged one, unchanged fee and be subject to a single, triennial audit.

Chair of Ecotourism Australia, Dr Claire Ellis, praised the agreement, saying it was a logical evolution of the organisations’ long-standing relationship and noted “our industry relies on strong partnerships and now, more than ever before, it is vital we work together for the benefit of our operators and the industry more broadly. This will not only make businesses stronger and save them money but enable ourselves and QTIC to provide more integrated support as we work towards the sustainable recovery of our industry.”

Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive, Rod Hillman enthused “this is an example of a partnership the industry has been seeking where tour businesses now have a ‘one stop shop’ for their certification, at a significant discount. Providing complimentary QTAB certification to all Queensland based EA certifications brings the significant benefits of both programs together and provides a seamless entry to the Tourism Awards and access to ReviewPro.”

Shane O’Reilly, QTIC Chair and Managing Director of O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, an Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame entrant, said that the agreement was a solid reflection of how both organisations focus on their members, their future sustainability and viability and engage them in ways to make their members more robust, and more resilient.

"While this will eventually strengthen both EA and QTIC as well, it is (the organisations’) focus on their members rather than themselves which makes this sharing of benefits such a special initiative. Tourism businesses need this type of initiative and grounded support and I encourage others in the political arena to take notice.”

Image: QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind and EA Chief Executive Rod Hillman with the signed agreement