Scenic World and Paronella Park inducted into Ecotourism Australia's Hall of Fame

Scenic World in Sydney’s Blue Mountains and Paronella Park in tropical North Queensland - two of Australia’s leading nature-based tourism businesses - have been inducted into Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame this month, recognised for maintaining ECO Certification for 20 years.

Scenic World is an active member of Family Business Australia and acknowledged within the industry for delivering an innovative, sustainable tourism experience.

Paronella Park is a heritage-listed tourist attraction located at Mena Creek, Queensland, Australia, 120 kilometres south of Cairns. It was designed and built between 1929 and 1935

The new inductees join an esteemed group of 57 other ECO certified businesses in the Hall of Fame.

This year a further 12 other ECO Certified tourism businesses have been honoured as ‘Green Travel Leaders’ for their 10 years of certification.

Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive Elissa Keenan praised these operators for their exceptional dedication and accomplishments over many years sharing “I congratulate Scenic World and Paronella Park for reaching Ecotourism Australia’s prestigious Hall of Fame. They have established their reputation as leaders in eco and sustainable tourism practices by maintaining 20 years of ECO Certification.

“Achieving Hall of Fame recognition celebrates certified tourism businesses ongoing dedication to global best practice sustainability standards. These businesses are at the forefront of world-leading sustainability, and I look forward to witnessing their ongoing innovation and leadership in eco and sustainable tourism.

“Similarly, our Green Travel Leaders, recognised for a decade of ECO Certification, deserve commendation for their ongoing commitment to strong environmental, social and cultural management practices.”

Ecotourism Australia has certified more than 2,000 tours, attractions and accommodation experiences across the country. While more than half our Australian members have been certified for over 10 years, only 11% have achieved Hall of Fame status demonstrating a profound commitment to sustainability as a core component of their ecotourism businesses.

Keenan added “at Ecotourism Australia, we proudly acknowledge our 30-year legacy of working with tourism operators and the broader industry. As the pioneering organisation to develop a national ECO Certification program, we are delighted to recognise our long-standing operators for their exceptional contributions.”

Anthea Hammon, Managing Director, Scenic World advised “our Advanced Ecotourism certification pushes us to always do better, be better and think better about protecting the incredible environment we are surrounded by and to continually improve and evolve our sustainability efforts. And, because we welcome over a million visitors every year, we are especially proud to have reached 20 years of Advanced Ecotourism Certification, something we do not take for granted.”

All operators certified by Ecotourism Australia are featured on the Green Travel Guide. The Green Travel Guide allows travellers to find over 2,000 certified and sustainable experiences across Australia and book directly with operators.

Kayla Ousley, Education & Experiences Manager, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, recognised as a Green Travel Leader in 2024 noted “being a certified operator with Ecotourism Australia is important to Lone Pine for many reasons. The certification and auditing process help us evaluate the systems we have in place and challenges us to continue to improve and expand our sustainability initiatives. Holding the certification also helps us communicate to our team and our visitors that we prioritise sustainability as a business and shows our commitment to creating a better future not only for wildlife, but for humankind.”

Keenan continued “More travellers are seeking authentic, sustainable experiences backed by respected certification. Our globally recognised certification assures visitors they have chosen a tourism experience committed to strong business sustainability and positive environmental, social, and cultural impacts.”

Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Certification program standards provide operators with key business development tools equipping them to champion their dedication to sustainability. It ensures continuous accountability towards long-term sustainability goals through regular auditing and reporting against global standard sustainable tourism criteria including business sustainability, environmental, social and cultural impacts.

Hall of Fame 2024

• Paronella Park

• Scenic World

Green Travel Leaders 2024

• Big Mama Sailing

• Catninga

• Charter 1

• Kingfisher Tours

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

• Mt. Nancar Wilderness Retreat

• Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat

• Ningaloo Discovery

• North Marine

• Pindan Tours & 4WD Training

• TreeTop Challenge

• Tweed Eco Cruises

Image top: Scenic World; image above:Paronella Park at night