BILLY TEA SAFARIS
Advanced Ecotourism, Climate Action Business & ROC | Certified since 1999
EA: What has certification meant to your business over the past 20 years?
BTS: Billy Tea Safaris is a true local company, having been locally owned and operated since 1983 – we are the pioneers of the Daintree Rainforest tour! Since purchasing the company from original owners and the well-known tourism pioneering Barnes family, Peppi Iovannella has brought his special brand of innov¬ation and passion to the operation with the modernisation of the fleet of unique purpose-built vehicles and the launch of a new full day eco-certified tour to the Atherton Tablelands. Over the last 3 years, we have successfully consolidated our position as a leading eco-certified tour operator and provider of world-class, small group experiences with our unique itineraries to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, Chillagoe Caves and Outback and the Tablelands. Eco Certification is an integral part of our business and we wear this with pride each and every day. As an Advanced Eco-Accredited operator, a Green Travel Leader and ROC Certified, we are committed to ecologically sustainable tourism, fostering environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation of the area and Tropical North Queensland. Our eco-certifications have always been at the forefront of our marketing. It’s how we identify ourselves, deeply embedded in our organisation and creating the foundation of our tours. Our experienced driver guides have been with us for over 10 years and are considered the best in the business industry. All of our guides are Wet Tropics Accredited, Savannah Guides, Cert 3 & 4 Guiding and Hospitality and Eco-Cert Guides, all with current First Aid Certificates and many have been finalists or Winners for Major Tourism Awards. Their local knowledge of flora, fauna and local history combined with their passion, enthusiasm and professionalism is what sets us apart from our competitors. Sustainability is not just something we do. It’s who we are. And our goal is simple: to protect our backyard for years to come.