ESSENTIALS - Ecotourism...Longhorn YOUnique Tours (RO & Ecotourism). A kayaking tour in Sidney, NSW....

Ecotourism Destination Certification

For Australia’s Protected Areas

www.ecotourism.org.au

ESSENTIALS

Ecotourism Destination Certification – Essentials & Criteria 1

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Front page (left to right): Phillips Island penguin parade, VIC.

Longhorn YOUnique Tours

(ROC & Ecotourism).

A kayaking tour in Sidney, NSW. Life's an

Adventure (Ecotourism).

Koala at Mikkira Station, Eyre Peninsula, SA. Gawler Rangers

Wilderness Safaris (Advanced Ecotourism).

Front page (bottom): Rockart, Alice Springs & MacDonell, NT.

Wayoutback Australian Safaris (Climate Action, ROC &

Advanced Ecotourism).

Program Overview 2

Introduction to the Program 4

Eligibility for Certification 5

Certification Costs 6

Certification Process 7—8

Maintaining Your Certification 9

Governance 10—11

What does the criteria include? 12—15

About Ecotourism Australia 16

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Table of contents

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Well-run, high-visitation protected areas are critical to the success of tourism destinations. Their role is often

undervalued so Ecotourism Australia’s Ecotourism Destination Certification Program is designed as a platform to

demonstrate to visitors and the rest of the tourism community the leadership of Australia’s protected area

management agencies. It also places emphasis on the strength, value and opportunities of collaborative,

dynamic partnerships and implementation of industry best practice initiatives.

As effective keystones of regional tourism, Protected Area Management Agencies have an opportunity and

responsibility to provide experiences and services that are of high quality and educative whilst also ensuring the

natural and cultural values of the protected area are protected and preserved. They have accountability to the

local communities in which their protected areas operate as well as to the commercial operators that access the

protected areas to provide nature based tourism experiences.

Ecotourism Australia’s Ecotourism Destination Certification Program is aimed at a select number of high-

visitation protected areas that provide significant opportunities for nature-based tourism and visitor

experiences, including those delivered by third parties such as commercial businesses under a lease or licensing

arrangement. The Program has been based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria for

destinations and adapted to ensure relevance to large-scale and high-visitation protected areas. The GSTC

criteria provide a guide to implementing international best practice for destinations and encourage an

interdisciplinary, holistic and integrative approach, which is fundamental to ensuring the planning and

management of our protected areas is sustainable.

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Program Overview

Protected Areas:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature defines a protected area as

“a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective

means, to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural

values”.

Ecotourism Destination Certification – Essentials & Criteria

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Nature based tourism in Australia has been growing at a positive and sustained growth rate of 4% per year since

2010. Protected Areas play a major role in nature based tourism as spending time in natural areas is a prime

motivator for both international and domestic travellers.

In 2015, international visitation to national parks increased by 13%. This growth is expected to continue as more

people seek to experience and enjoy their leisure time in nature. As a result, it is increasingly important that

Protected Area Management Agencies have access to a simple and effective framework to assist them manage

and conserve the natural and cultural values of their protected areas while also demonstrating leadership to

visitors and the tourism industry.

There are a wide range of benefits resulting from Ecotourism Australia’s Ecotourism Destination Certification

Program for travellers, communities, Protected Area Management Agencies and the tourism industry. At the

centre of these benefits is the recognition that travellers and visitors to protected areas are increasingly seeking

authentic, reliable, credible and sustainable experiences.

Through certification, Protected Area Management Agencies can demonstrate their commitment to ensuring

the visitor experiences provided within their protected areas meet these visitor expectations while also

delivering on their responsibility to involve the local community and make a positive contribution to the region’s

visitor economy. There is also an opportunity for Protected Area Management Agencies to leverage Certification

as part of a broader cultural change process within the agency to ensure a positive view of sustainable tourism

as a tool to enhance the appreciation and understanding of protected areas. The program emphasises the

importance of adopting an interdisciplinary, holistic and integrative approach to protected area management.

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Program Overview


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This program is for any piece of land or water managed for conservation outcomes,

with a definite governing structure and with sustainable tourism as a key focus such as

national parks, nature reserves, islands under statutory control, public and private land

reserves and wilderness areas.

While the program could be applied to any protected area, it has been designed for

large-scale, high visitation protected areas that offer significant

opportunities for visitor experiences, delivered either by the Protected Area

Management Agency or a third party under a lease or licensing arrangement.

The Program comprehensively covers four main objectives of sustainable destinations:

Demonstrating effective sustainable management Maximising economic benefits to the host community and minimising negative impacts Maximising benefits to communities, visitors, and culture and minimising negative im-

pacts Maximising benefits to the environment and minimising negative impacts

Ecotourism Destination Certification Program

Introduction to the Program

Ecotourism Australia’s Ecotourism Destination

Certification Program is an Australian-developed

program designed for the

Australian context.

It is based on the Global Sustainable Tourism

Council’s Destination Criteria and applies ‘protected

area specific’ verification and

interpretation.

The credibility of the scheme is established through

the verification that all applicable

sections have been met; checking that all

supporting material has been provided and through

a comprehensive, third party,

independent audit process.


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High visitation park with strong tourism profile

Protected area with statutory governance

Destination in own right, main attraction within a destination and likely to host commercial tourism products

Eligibility for Certification

Roles & Responsibilities

Ecotourism Australia: third-party independent management of certification program and process including certification coaching, assessment, training and auditing Protected Area Agency-Wide Project Officer: completes application initially to cover Agency wide criteria, verification and provision of documented evidence as applicable. The Project Officer is the main contact for EA regarding assessment, training and auditing. Protected Area Manager Contact: Secondary applicant – completes protected area specific content criteria for one dedicated protected area, verification and provision of documented evidence as applicable.

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Eligibility for Certification

“Protected areas need tourism and tourism needs protected areas” - Eagles (2002)

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Certification Costs


PHASE ONE: AGENCY LEVEL

STEP 1. COMMITMENT BY AGENCY Agreement form returned signed + Agency fee paid

$2, 950 (+ GST) PER AGENCY ONCE-ONLY +

TRAVEL LOGISTIC COSTS

(as at Dec 2016)

STEP 2. ESTABLISHMENT A full day face to face consultation session ( EA + Agency Project

Officer) to establish Work Plan

STEP 3. AGENCY APPLICATION Dedicated certification coaching (up to 40 hours) for Agency

Project Officer to complete Agency wide criteria applicable to all nominated protected areas

PHASE TWO: PER PROTECTED AREA

STEP 4. INDIVIDUAL PROTECTED AREA APPLICATION Dedicated certification coaching (up to 24 hours) for Protected

Area Manager to complete Protected Area specific criteria.

A visit to the Protected Area including a workshop with key staff is highly recommended (optional)

$2, 250 (+ GST) PER PROTECTED AREA

+ TRAVEL LOGISTIC COSTS

(as at Dec 2016)

STEP 5. FINAL SUBMISSION BY AGENCY + ASSESSMENT EA Assessor to complete a desktop assessment of full submission

STEP 6. ONSITE AUDIT Onsite audit at Protected Area including interviews with key staff

+ workshop Sustainable Tourism Training Module (optional)

STEP 7. CERTIFICATION GRANTED

To maintain certification: ongoing onsite auditing - every two years (additional costs involved)

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Phase One: Agency Level Step One: Commitment by Agency Agency to confirm commitment and nominate Project Officer as key contact for Agency for certification through completion and submission of Agency Commitment Form. An Invoice will be sent for Phase 1 on receipt of this Form. Step Two: Establishment A full day face to face consultation session ( EA + Agency Project Officer) to establish Work Plan - including nomination of Protected Areas, engagement of Protected Area specific staff as well as division of criteria and coaching schedule. Step Three: Agency Application Agency Project Officer to complete Agency wide criteria applicable to all nominated protected areas. Dedicated certification coaching (up to a maximum of 40 hours) is available to assist Agency Project Officer.

...Get rewarded for doing the right thing...

Certification Process


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Phase Two: Protected Area Level Step Four: Individual Protected Area Application Protected Area Manager to complete Protected Area specific criteria. Dedicated certification coaching (up to a maximum of 24 hours) is available to assist Protected Area Manager. A visit to the Protected Area including a workshop with key staff is highly recommended (optional). This could also be delivered as a workshop with a number of Protected Area Managers in attendance at a central location. This will have been negotiated during Step Two. Step Five: Final Submission by Agency + Assessment After the Protected Area Manager has completed the Protected Area Specific criteria the Agency Project Officer will conduct a final review and submit to EA. EA will conduct a desktop assessment of the application outlining outstanding criteria and recommendations for addressing these, where applicable. Step Six: Onsite Audit An onsite audit at Protected Area including interviews with key staff + workshop will be conducted prior to certification being granted. An audit report A Sustainable Tourism Training Module (Optional) can be delivered at this time. Additional costs are involved. Step Seven: Certification Granted A communications strategy will be rolled out in partnership with the Agency when each Protected Area achieves certification.

Certification Process


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EA’s Protected Areas Management Package

Ecotourism Australia has always worked closely with Protected Area Managers (PAMs) to build the quality of tour operators and build a culture of conservation in tourism. Each and every PAM in Australia now rewards and recognises tour operators who have made the commitment to become certified through Ecotourism Australia’s programs. We see the relationship with PAMs as critical to the success of growing the number of tour operators delivering quality products with an environmental ethic. The Protected Area Managers package is designed to ensure PAMs get true value from the relationship through a range of formal and informal benefits that provide connections to your licensed tour operators, increases your visibility within the market, leads by example and provides greater accountability and reporting. The Ecotourism Destination Certification Program Annual fee is included within the Protected Areas Management (PAM) Membership Package. This includes provision of all of the benefits of certification, use of the program, logos, all processes for Annual Renewal and associated ongoing management of your certification via Ecotourism Australia. Should the Agency cancel their PAM Membership Package, there will be an Agency annual renewal fee of $2000 to maintain the Ecotourism Destination certification.

Maintaining your certification—per protected area

Ongoing auditing costs are to be covered by the protected area agency and will include the auditor’s travel and accommodation costs as well as daily rate. Ongoing auditing occurs on a two year cycle.

Maintaining Your Certification

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Certification Administrative Structure & Governance The Ecotourism Destination Certification is a product of Ecotourism Australia. The program is

managed by the Ecotourism Australia national office. Advice, dispute, resolution and

leadership is provided through EA’s Certification Committee as a sub-unit of the Board of

Ecotourism Australia.

Continuous Improvement Certification is based on the principle of continuous improvement, and is designed to assist

the tourism industry to continually improve standards. The criteria will be reviewed on an

ongoing basis to reflect industry standards and performance.

Each year an annual declaration will be issued to all certified protected areas through the

Protected Area Agency to ensure the integrity of the responses in the initial application is

maintained. If there have been any changes which may impact on certification, an

explanation of these changes should be sent with the annual declaration for review and

assessment.

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Governance


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Appeals Process

A Protected Area Agency with existing certification, an applicant applying for certification, or

a Protected Area Agency reapplying for certification, has a right of appeal if their application

for certification is rejected, or certification removed, following an audit or application refusal.

Appeals will be evaluated by the Certification Committee and must be lodged with

Ecotourism Australia no later than 21 days’ notice after notice of the decision has been given.

Terms and Conditions

The full Terms & Conditions for Ecotourism

Australia Limited, as well as information

regarding our Compliance Policy, Administrative

Structure and Governance can be found on

Ecotourism Australia’s website.

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Governance


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Section A: Demonstrate Effective Sustainable Management

This section relates to a holistic approach to sustainable destination management. It emphasises a coordinated

approach to planning centred around sustainability, safety, security, accessibility and visitor satisfaction.

A1 Sustainable Destination Strategy

A2 Destination Management Organization

A3 Monitoring

A4 Tourism Seasonality Management

A5 Climate Change Adaption

A6 Inventory of tourism assets and attractions

A7 Planning Regulations

A8 Access for all

A9 Property Acquisitions

A10 Visitor Satisfaction

A11 Sustainability Standards

A12 Safety and Security

A13 Crisis and Emergency Management

A14 Promotion

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What do the criteria include?


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Section B: Maximize economic benefits to the host community and minimize

negative impacts

This section emphasises commitment to ensuring the visitor experiences provided within protected areas

deliver on the responsibility to involve the local community and make a positive contribution to the region’s

visitor economy.

B1 Economic Monitoring

B2 Local Career Opportunities

B3 Public Participation

B4 Local community opinion

B5 Local access

B6 Tourism awareness and education

B7 Preventing exploitation

B8 Support for community

B9 Supporting local entrepreneurs and fair trade


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Section C: Maximize benefits to communities, visitors, and culture; minimize

negative impacts

This section emphasises commitment to ensuring the visitor experiences provided within protected areas

deliver on the responsibility to be respectful of the natural and cultural heritage of the site

C1 Attraction Protection

C2 Visitor Management

C3 Visitor Behaviour

C4 Cultural Heritage Protection

C5 Site Interpretation

C6 Intellectual Property

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Section D: Maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative

impacts

This section emphasises commitment to ensuring the impacts on the natural environment are carefully

managed.

D1 Environmental Risks

D2 Protection of Sensitive Environments

D3 Wildlife Protection

D4 Greenhouse Gas Emissions

D5 Energy Conservation

D6 Water Management

D7 Water Security

D8 Water Quality

D9 Wastewater

D10 Solid waste reduction

D11 Light and noise pollution

D12 Low-impact transportation


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About us

Ecotourism Australia (EA) was formed in 1991. An incorporated non-profit

organisation, EA is considered the peak national body for the ecotourism

industry.

EA offers certification programs for tourism products available in Australia such

as accommodation, tours and attractions. We also have a diverse membership

that includes key industry stakeholders; protected area managers and other

government agencies; academics and students; tourism, environmental,

interpretation and training consultants; local and regional tourism associations

and travellers.

Become part of our community

With over 1,500 certified tourism products around Austral-

ia, becoming certified is also a way to become part of Eco-

tourism Australia’s large community and interact with peo-

ple who, just like you, are working to protect Australia.

Join the conversation with us on social media and get your

message out there! Images, articles, latest news, you can

provide us with the content and we will share it for you.

Follow us on social media !

Contact Us

Ecotourism Australia

6/67 O’Connell Terrace

Bowen Hills QLD 4006

T: 07 3252 1530

F: 07 3252 0331

[email protected]

www.ecotourism.org.au

About Ecotourism Australia


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.ecotourism.org.au/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ecotourism-Australia/144051683592?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/EcotourismAus

http://instagram.com/ecotourismaustralia/

Ecotourism Australia

2016 Copyright. All Right Reserved.

Images: Courtesy of our certified operators 2013-16

Nature-based Destination Certification – Essentials & Criteria

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ESSENTIALS - Ecotourism...Longhorn YOUnique Tours (RO & Ecotourism). A kayaking tour in Sidney, NSW....

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Transcript of ESSENTIALS - Ecotourism...Longhorn YOUnique Tours (RO & Ecotourism). A kayaking tour in Sidney, NSW....