UN YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT 2017 | WHAT DID WE GET UP TO?
The year 2017 was all about sustainable tourism, designated as such by the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations. In response, public and private sector groups around the world launched innovative tourism projects and initiatives designed to raise awareness of sustainable tourism’s contribution to development and highlight the sector’s role as a catalyst for positive change.
The International Year of Sustainable Tourism (#IY2017) aimed to promote tourism’s role in five key areas:
- Inclusive and sustainable economic growth
- Social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction
- Resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change
- Cultural values, diversity and heritage
- Mutual understanding, peace and security.
So, what did Ecotourism Australia do?
Well, you may not have known it but Ecotourism Australia had four registered International Year of Sustainable Tourism projects running in 2017. Here’s a summary:
PROJECT 1 | Ecotourism Destination Certification Program
- What is it?
Ecotourism Australia’s Ecotourism Destination Certification Program was specially designed for Australia’s iconic protected areas, particularly those which offer significant opportunities for nature-based tourism. The program is based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s criteria for destinations and aims to showcase industry best practice initiatives and highlight the leadership of Australia’s protected area management agencies, as well as the benefits of collaborative, dynamic partnerships in these destinations.
- Great idea, but how did it look in practice?
In December 2016 and October 2017, Ecotourism Australia certified its first two destinations: Kosciuszko National Park and the Blue Mountains National Park. Many other key Australian destinations and regions have expressed interest in the program and are currently undergoing review.
- So how did this project help to achieve the goals set by #IY2017?
The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development aimed to support policy change, improve business practices and change consumer behaviour to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Destination Certification is related to the key sustainability pillars of social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction; resource efficiency, climate protection and climate change and cultural values, diversity and heritage and will continue to contribute to the achievement of these goals by 2030.
Click here for more info on the project and here to find out more about destination certification.
PROJECT 2 | The 25th Annual Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference
- What is it?
The Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference is the longest running ecotourism conference worldwide, bringing together key industry players from the public, private and non-government sectors.
In 2017, the 25th Global Eco Conference was held in Adelaide, South Australia and drew together keynote presenters from 11 countries speaking on topics such as conservation and wildlife, social licence and philanthropy. A wrap up of the conference can be found here.
- Great idea, but how did it look in practice?
The Global Eco Conference attracted 160 delegates in 2017: 31% of these were operators, 24% were protected area managers, 17.5% were tourism organisation representatives and 27.5% were professionals, academics or other government representatives. Delegates were generally from a management or upper management level, with 30% Chief Operating Officers (CEOs) or Managing Directors (MDs), 28% senior executives, 32% managers and 10% technical staff or students.
The high level of attendees and their varying technical backgrounds ensured a productive conference which opened doors for knowledge sharing, cross-sectoral discussions and relationship building.
- So how did this project help to achieve the goals set by #IY2017?
The Global Eco Conference responded to key sustainability pillars including inclusive and sustainable growth of the ecotourism industry, promoting resource efficiency, sharing best practice experience on environmental protection / managing climate change and protecting cultural values, diversity and heritage.
Click here for more information about the project.
PROJECT 3 | EcoGuide Certification Program Partnership
- What is it?
Ecotourism Australia launched its EcoGuide Certification Program in 2000. Whilst the Australian branch of this program is now managed by Savannah Guides, the program was also launched in China in March 2017, in partnership with Infinity (International) Travel Holdings Limited (Infinity), a leading Hong Kong-based wholesale travel company and ecotourism travel operator in the Greater China Region.
- Great idea, but how did it look in practice?
In late 2017, Ecotourism Australia CEO Rod Hillman travelled to Hong Kong to award the first four fully qualified Chinese EcoGuides, run a training program and conduct local field assessments. Ongoing training through Infinity will see many more Chinese EcoGuides achieve this qualification in the future and build the brand in the region.
- So how did this project help to achieve the goals set by #IY2017?
The EcoGuide certification program partnership builds capacity among Australia’s Asian neighbours, ensuring that internationally recognised, high-level EcoGuide standards of qualification are applied broadly. This will help to encourage employment in the ecotourism sector, highlight the need for resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change action, celebrate cultural diversity and heritage and promote social inclusiveness.
Click here for more information about this project and this website (note: Chinese content only) for information about the Chinese EcoGuide Program.
PROJECT 4 | Pilot Program Vanuatu Permit and Accreditation Program (VTPAP)
- What is it?
Ecotourism Australia was contracted, as part of the Vanuatu Strategic Tourism Action Plan (VSTAP) to provide support and assistance to the Vanuatu Department of Tourism in the development and implementation of a pilot Vanuatu Tourism Permit and Accreditation Program (VTPAP). This program compiled a compulsory set of minimum standards for all tourism operators in Vanuatu to meet before they could gain a business licence.
- Great idea, but how did it look in practice?
An Ecotourism Australia consultant assisted Vanuatu’s Department of Tourism in the revision of their minimum standards, accreditation information pack and operational plan. The consultant also gave advice on the implementation of minimum standards in collaboration with the local and provincial tourism associations and various government agencies.
- So how did this project help to achieve the goals set by #IY2017?
The focus of this program was to ensure Vanuatu would be perceived by visitors as a safe and reliable destination that showcases Ni-Vanuatu culture and identity as well as the country’s natural assets as tourism attractions. It built upon the #IY2017 pillars of inclusive and sustainable economic growth; social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction; resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change; cultural values, diversity and heritage and mutual understanding, peace and security.
For more information on this project, visit this website.
[Images thanks to NSW National Parks and Wildlife; UN; Lina Cronin; Infinity (International) Travel Holdings Limited]