Ecotourism in Vanuatu

Rod HillmanChief Executive - Ecotourism Australia

Ecotourism Australia

• Formed following Australia’s first ecotourism conference in 1991.• Not for profit, non-government organisation.• Peak national body for the nature-based & cultural tourism industry.

• Certification programs.• Conferences and workshops.• Advocacy on behalf of members.• Program Management• Marketing of members – Eco-lodges, ATE & website.

• 500 members with a combined annual revenue of $1.2B

“To inspire environmentally sustainable and culturally responsible tourism”

Ecotourism Australia – Eco-certification

• Developed the first eco-certification program in the world – 1995• Has become the ‘world standard’ eco-certification since that time• Over 1,500 products eco-certified in Australia (500 tour operators)• Internationally licensed to Southern Africa

• Currently in negotiations with Taiwan & Coral Triangle• One of only three certification programs (globally) to achieve “Approved”

status with GSTC• Formally linked to:

• Trip Advisor• BookGreener

• Recognised and rewarded by each and every protected Area Management Agency in Australia

Ecotourism Australia – International Recognition

• MOUs in place with• UNESCO• Taiwanese Ecotourism Association• Global Sustainable Tourism Council• COMET• MEET• IUCN

• International representation• Indonesia• Korea• Cambodia• Kenya• Malaysia• Papua New Guinea• Taiwan

Ecotourism – your natural advantage

• Eco-tourism

• Tourism in and about nature,• Conducted in a sustainable manner, and• Provides a contribution to the environment & community

• A sustainable business is a profitable business

Our Programs

• ECO Certification–for nature tourism

• Respecting Our Culture-for all involving culture

• Climate Action Certification – any tourism business

• EcoGuide Certification – for individual tour guides

• The ECO Certification program assures travellers that certified products are backed by a strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high quality nature-based tourism experiences.

• The ECO Certification Program is a world first and it has been developed to address the need to identify genuine nature and ecotourism operators.

• ECO Certification is product-specific— this means that you will need to answer the criteria as it applies specifically to each of your products.  This also means that you are able to apply for ECO Certification even if not all of your products are nature-based. 

GSTC “Approved”

• Our ‘Ecotourism’ and ‘Advanced Ecotourism’ levels of eco-certification have gained GSTC ‘Approved‘ status.

• This allows eco-certified tour operators to carry the GSTC logo

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

Tourism in natural areas focusing on optimal resources use, conservation

practices and helps local communities.

Tourism with strong interpretation values, commitment to nature conservation and helping local

communities.

Ecotourism – Three Levels

1. Business Management and Operational PlanningBusiness EthicsNatural Area Focus | Indigenous Cultural

Focus2. Responsible Marketing3. Customer Satisfaction4. Environmental Management5. Interpretation and Education6. Contribution for Conservation7. Working with Local Communities8. Cultural Respect and Sensitivity

There are 8 section components for the ECO certification program

How does it work?

Certification grantedAn on-site external audit will be conducted

within the first three months and then every three years thereafter.

Visit the ECO Certification page on our

website and select ”Apply now!’’

Follow the prompts to Register and pay your once-only application

fee.

Follow the prompts to Register and pay your once-only application

fee.

You will receive a confirmation email,

follow the instructions and get started on your

application!

Free coaching sessions are available, contact the

EA Office with any questions.

Submit your completed application to Ecotourism

Australia!

Your application is assessed and any corrections

followed up with you. This process usually takes about 2 weeks

Why it Works

• Well respected by Consumers, Marketers and Government Agencies• Well established branding supported by Government and Industry• Independent Auditing• Commitment by Eco-certified tour operators to sustainable practices• Strong support by Land Management Agencies

• Longer licenses/permits• Preferential Marketing and Media• Exclusive access to sensitive areas• Mandatory where demand exceeds supply, new opportunities or

for exclusive access to research programs

Why it Works – badge of quality

• 40% of all 2014 Australian Tourism Awards finalists held eco-certification.

• A third of all 2014 Australian Tourism Award winners were eco-certified.

• ‘Tourism Legend’ – Rob Pennicott - at 2014 Australian Tourism Awards is eco-certified.

• 25% of all suppliers at the 2015 Australian Tourism Exchange were eco-certified.

High standard tourismThe Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) encourages tourism operations to adopt high standards for protection, presentation and partnership within the Marine Park. These standards enhance environmental protection, reef resilience and tourism sustainability.

The GBRMPA relies on independent certification to identify high standard operations. It recognises the ECO Certification Program operated by Ecotourism Australia as a certification scheme for the Marine Park.

Through the ECO Certification Program, Ecotourism Australia identifies and monitors high standard tourism operations. Other certification schemes may be approved in the future, based on standard assessment criteria and a simple assessment process.

Are there benefits to becoming certified?The GBRMPA has developed benefits to both reward high standard operators and provide incentives for other operators to improve their performance. The major benefit offered by the GBRMPA is an extended permit term of 15 years for tourism program permits.

Operators who are certified with the ECO Certification Program (Ecotourism and Advanced Ecotourism levels) and wish to apply for a 15-year permit for a certified tourism product will need to complete the usual Marine Parks permit application form and provide evidence of certification. The application will be assessed as normal and an assessment fee will apply.

In addition, certified operators are listed on GBRMPA's website and are showcased at various trade events (for example, the Australian Tourism Exchange) and in publications (for example, the Australian Ecotourism Directory).

From an operator

Sally Sherlock, Enterprise Charters, March 2010

"A passion for the Reef, the sustainability of the Marine Park, and a commitment as guardians of the GBR, were the chief motivations to become ECO Certified."

Uptake by operators

Growth of High Standard Operations and Products

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20100

20

40

60

80

100

120

Number of products

Number of operations

Source: GBRMPA EMC, 2010As at March 2015 - 66 Operators and 143 products

Growth in actual visitors carried

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20100

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

800000

900000Actual Full Day visits with a certified high standard operation, 2004-2010

Total Full Day visits with high standard operations

Actu

al v

isits

This has resulted in 64 per cent of the 2.09 million visitors in 2013 travelling to the Reef with high standard or ECO certified operators.

In Vanuatu• It is possible for Vanuatu to use the Eco-certification program,

branding, process and systems through a licensing agreement.

• Questions to ask

• Is there support from Government and Tour Operators?• What incentives can Government offer eco-certified operators

that are meaningful?• Who would operate the program and carry the sub-license and

follow the EA/GSTC endorsed policies and procedures?• Government?• Tour Operators/Hotel Association?• NGO?

• Who will undertake the audits?

In Vanuatu

Rod Hillman

ceo@ecotourism.org.au

www.ecotourism.org.au