12 tourism businesses inducted into Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame

August 10, 2023

12 eco and nature-based tourism businesses have cemented their legacy as leaders in Australia’s sustainable tourism industry by achieving 20 years of ECO Certification and entering Ecotourism Australia’s prestigious Hall of Fame.

A further 23 ECO Certified tourism operators have been recognised as ‘Green Travel Leaders’ for their 10 years of certification.

Congratulating the operators for their outstanding efforts over a significant period, Ecotourism Australia Chief Executive, Elissa Keenan advised “our new Hall of Fame entrants have been ECO Certified for more than twenty years and are among Australia’s first sustainable tourism innovators. They join 50 operators who been awarded Hall of Fame status since 1997.

“Similarly, our Green Travel Leaders, who are tourism businesses that have reached a decade of ECO Certification, should be commended for their continuous commitment to global sustainability standards.

“With travellers increasingly seeking transformative and sustainable experiences that make a difference, these operators are at the forefront of world-class sustainability leadership.

Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Certification program standard is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The certification not only provides operators with key business development tools and equips them to champion their dedication to sustainability in tourism, but it ensures continuous accountability towards long-term sustainability goals.

Joh Bloomberg, Safety, Environment and Community Manager at Tasmanian Walking Company, this year recognised as a Green Travel Leader, commented “certification has acted as a super helpful signpost, pointing out which direction we should walk in.

“By using the Ecotourism Australia accreditation and certification process we have been able to anchor our passion and ideas in a solid, usable, and useful framework that helps us build on our current initiatives and shows the way for continuous improvement across the business.”

25 years of certification
2023 is a milestone year for Ecotourism Australia, with 14 businesses noted for reaching 25 years of ECO Certification. Already recognised in the Hall of Fame, these operators are the original pioneers of ecotourism globally.

Richard Berman-Hardman, General Manager of Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in Far North Queensland, went on to say “as an ecotourism leader, we are driven by a sustainability mission which sees us continuously challenging ourselves to learn and improve how we operate.

“We are also privileged to have the opportunity to connect thousands of people from all over the world with the story of the oldest, most important rainforest environment on Earth and we are committed to raising awareness and delivering an experience which builds enthusiasm and passion for the ecosystem we present.

“We feel that Ecotourism Australia understands this and shares our vision for a progressive, sustainable mindset within the visitor economy. ECO certification provides assurances to prospective visitors that they are choosing an ethical, well managed product and we couldn’t imagine operating without this seal of approval.”

All operators certified by Ecotourism Australia are featured on the all-in-one sustainable travel platform, the Green Travel Guide. The Green Travel Guide allows travellers to find over 1,800 certified and sustainable experiences across Australia and book directly with operators.

25+ years certified
Queensland
• Quicksilver Connections
• Wavedancer - Low Isles
• Binna Burra Mountain Lodge
• Kingfisher Bay Resort
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• Tour Gold Coast
• Ocean Rafting
• O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat
• Wildlife Habitat
• Canopy Rainforest Tree Houses & Wildlife Sanctuary
• Wavelength Reef Cruises

Victoria
• Gippsland High Country Tours (After 32 years of operating, Gippsland High Country Tours have decided to close their doors. We thank them for their contribution to certified sustainable tourism as one of the first operators to achieve ECO Certification.)

South Australia
• Exceptional Kangaroo Island

Northern Territory
• Gecko Canoeing and Trekking

Hall of Fame entrants 2023 (20 years of ECO Certification)
Western Australia
• Forest Rise Chalets & Lodge
• Kimberley Quest
• The Great Escape Charter Company
• Three Islands Whale Shark Dive
• Ningaloo Coral Bay Boats
• Go Wild Adventure Tours

Queensland
• Hervey Bay Whale Watch
• Tallship Adventures & Tallship Derwent Hunter

South Australia
• Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
• Rawnsley Park Station

Northern Territory
• Alice Springs Desert Park

National
• Coral Expeditions

Green Travel Leaders 2023 (10 years of ECO Certification)
New South Wales
• Tribal Warrior
• Simmo's Offroad Tours
• Broger's End Kangaroo Valley
• Diamond Waters Treehouse Retreat
• Oakvale Wildlife Park
• Spirit Safaris
• Noonaweena
• AquaFun Avoca Lake

Queensland
• Tasman Venture
• Horizon Guides
• Australian Sunset Safaris
• Whitsunday Escape Pty Ltd
• Queensland Japanese Services

Tasmania
• Tasmanian Expeditions
• Tarkine Wilderness Lodge Meunna
• Tasmanian Walking Company
• Freycinet Experience Walk

South Australia
• Temptation Dolphin Cruise
• Untamed Escapes

Victoria
• Torquay Surfing Academy

Western Australia
• Absolute Ocean Charters

Northern Territory
• Cicada Lodge

National
• World Expeditions & Australian Walking Holidays

Images: Guest enjoying sunset drinks on Verandah Beach in the Kimberleys (top, credit: Coral Expeditions) and trail walking in Tasmania (middel, credit: Tasmanian Walking Company) and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (below, credit: TEQ).

29th June 2023 - Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience certified by Ecotourism Australia for prioritising sustainability

26th May 2023 - East Gippsland certified as first ECO Destination in Victoria

6th May 2023 - Ecotourism Australia encouraged by sustainable tourism demand at ATE23

26th April 2023 - Big Red Group and Ecotourism Australia partner to help experience operators achieve sustainability

4th April 2023 - Ecotourism Australia partnership sees sustainable tourism experiences showcased via ATDW

29th March 2023 - ECO Think Destination Forum commences at Mon Repos Turtle Centre in Bundaberg

28th March 2023 - Ecotourism Australia certified business wins Sustainable Tourism Award

20th March 2023 - Ecotourism Australia certified businesses secure Qantas Australian Tourism Awards

5th March 2023 - Blue Mountains secures global ECO Destination Certification

7th December 2022 - Chief Executive highlights Ecotourism Australia’s 2022 achievements

29th November 2022 - Eco Expo Asia 2022 returns in December with the theme “Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality”

20th November 2022 - Ecotourism Australia partners with Tourism Australia to launch new sustainable tourism program

9th November 2022 - Tasmanian Ecotourism Pioneers mark 30 years of operations

18th August 2022 - Tasmanian Walking Company launches Walk+ Collection

14th June 2022 - Margaret River certified as first ECO Destination in Western Australia

9th October 2021 - Google commences showcasing ECO Certification in accommodation listings

1st July 2021 - Ecotourism Australia launches new version of Green Travel Guide

14th December 2020 - Ecotourism Australia reviews 2020 Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference

20th November 2020 - Five Satellite Node ECO Destinations to host Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference

22nd October 2020 - ECO Destinations live stream 2020 Global Eco Conference while tailoring region-specific onsite programs

3rd August 2020 - Ecotourism Australia waivers certification renewals while also planning for Global Eco Conference

29th May 2020 - Global Eco Asia-Pacific commits to 2020 conference in Margaret River

5th June 2020 - Tasmanian Walking Company launches philanthropic initiative on World Environment Day

20th October 2019 - Global Eco Asia-Pacific Conference aims to inspire nature-based tourism leaders

1st May 2014 - Skyrail launches new open air gondola experience

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