Ecotourism Australia

Ecotourism Australia is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation, established in 1991, that promotes and supports the ecotourism industry in Australia through building capacity and actively promoting sustainable tourism operations and systems. It is recognised as the credible, national peak body for sustainable and nature-based tourism in Australia.

Its foundational programme – ECO Certification – was the world’s first national ecotourism certification programme. There are more than 2,000 certified experiences in the ECO, Sustainable Tourism, Climate Action, and Respecting Our Culture certifications. Ecotourism Australia’s certification programmes, including the new Sustainable Tourism Certification, are acknowledged and recognised globally.
The ECO Destination Certification was developed by Ecotourism Australia using the international Green Destinations standard. The certification assesses a region across the four pillars of sustainability and the destination must pass an on-site audit conducted by a third-party auditor before certification can be granted.
Ecotourism Australia has global partnerships, working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Green Destinations (an international organisation for sustainable destination development); and key partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region including with WWF-Australia, Parks Australia and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).