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Queensland’s Bundaberg Region has been recognised for its commitment to tourism sustainability being awarded ECO Destination Certification from Ecotourism Australia.

Becoming the fifth destination in Australia and the second in Queensland to become an ECO Destination, Ecotourism Australia’s certification recognises the region for championing sustainable tourism growth in the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Mayor Jack Dempsey said Bundaberg Regional Council had led the certification process with support from a range of stakeholders including Bundaberg Tourism, PCCC and local operators and organisations, advising “(this) is a massive coup for the Bundaberg Region to achieve ECO Destination Certification and sees our community become one of only a small number in the country to do so.

“This achievement demonstrates our community’s respect and care for the natural environment and will ensure we continue to grow in a sustainable way into the future.

“This achievement has obvious benefits for our economy but it will also benefit our environment by providing a framework to constantly maintain and improve sustainability practices.”

Developed by Ecotourism Australia, the ECO Destination Certification program uses the international Green Destinations framework recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council to assess a destination across 90+ criteria.

The criteria assess management practices across the four pillars of sustainability and covers environment and climate, culture and tradition, and destination management and socio-economic impact. Destinations are audited onsite by a verified, independent auditor before Certification is awarded.

Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive, Elissa Keenan, said that fulfilling global best standard sustainability requirements is no small feat, stating “since beginning their sustainability journey in 2020, the Bundaberg region has made significant strides to achieve ECO Destination Certification at the Ecotourism level.

“Bundaberg’s application demonstrated a passion for and dedication to holistic sustainability within the region, championing initiatives such as the One Million Trees Project and the popular Milbi Festival.

“Achieving ECO Destination Certification not only supports local Ecotourism Australia certified operators but inspires local tourism businesses to implement sustainability and achieve certification.”

The Council has implemented subsidies to tourism businesses wanting to undertake sustainability certification and participate in the region’s sustainability vision. ECO certified businesses Lady Musgrave Experience, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Mon Repos Turtle Centre and Kelly’s Beach Resort are among the current sustainability leaders fostering responsible tourism in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, while five businesses are currently applying for Ecotourism Australia’s business certifications.

Ecotourism Australia’s independent auditor applauded the council’s strengthened commitment to climate action in their Towards Net Zero strategy.

Ecotourism Australia recently announced that Bundaberg will be the host destination of the ECO Think Destination Forum from 28th to 30th March 2023, a national forum attracting certified and applicant ECO Destinations, federal, state, and regional tourism organisations, local government and national parks representatives, and tourism marketing and destination management specialists.

Learn more about Ecotourism Australia’s latest ECO Destination

Images courtesy of Bundaberg Regional Council.

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