ECO CERTIFIED ACCOMMODATION

The ECO Certification program developed and administered by Ecotourism Australia assures travellers that certified products are backed by a strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high-quality nature-based tourism experiences. Green Getaways supports the program and the amazing accommodation operators below which have been certified by Ecotourism Australia. Read more about ECO certification below.

What is ECO certification?

Ecotourism is tourism that focuses on responsible travel to natural areas, with the aim of conserving the environment and improving the well-being of local communities. In Australia, as in many other counties, ecotourism has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more tourists seeking out sustainable and authentic experiences in nature.

To ensure that ecotourism operators in Australia are meeting certain standards of sustainability and social responsibility, Ecotourism Australia has developed certification programs designed to help tourists identify genuine ecotourism experiences and to encourage operators to improve their practices.

Eco Tourism Australia is a non-profit organization that has been certifying ecotourism operators since 1991. The certification process involves an assessment of an operator’s environmental, social, and economic sustainability, as well as their commitment to providing authentic and educational experiences for tourists.

The ECO Certification program is a world first and it has been developed to address the need to identify genuine nature and ecotourism operators. There are three levels of certification for accommodation: Nature Tourism, Ecotourism, Advanced Ecotourism:

Nature Tourism
Tourism in natural areas that leaves minimal impact on the environment.

Ecotourism
Tourism in a natural area that focuses on optimal resources use, leaves minimal impact on the environment and offers interesting ways to learn about the environment with operators that use resources wisely, contribute to conserving the environment and help local communities.

Advanced Ecotourism
Australia’s leading and most innovative ecotourism products that operate with minimal impact on the environment and provide opportunities to learn about the environment with operators who are committed to achieving best practice, using resources wisely, contributing to conserving the environment and helping local communities.

To achieve certification, operators must meet a number of criteria, such as using renewable energy, reducing waste, supporting local communities, and providing educational opportunities for tourists.

The Ecotourism Australia certification program plays an important role in promoting sustainable tourism practices in Australia. By providing a recognized standard for ecotourism operators to meet, Ecotourism Australia’s certification programs help to ensure that tourists can have authentic and sustainable tourism experiences. Certification also encourage operators to continually improve their practices, leading to a more sustainable tourism industry in Australia.