Operators who introduce green initiatives should have access to more government support. Image: aptouring.com.au
Australian tourism operators have a good reputation for green tourism overseas but that is not translating into performance, according to green tourism certifier Ecotourism Australia. Speaking in the lead up to its Asia Pacific conference Global Eco to be held in Sydney next week, Ecotourism Australia's chief executive officer Kym Cheatham said climate change "fatigue" was threatening to take attention away from the potential for operators.
"Climate change fatigue has set in across the community," she said. "We have been distracted by a tumultuous political agenda and a series of headline grabbing events around the world, but we mustn’t allow this to sidetrack meaningful industry transformation."
Cheatham called for more government support for those operators in the industry who were working to introduce green initiatives.
She said efforts by individual tourism operators to adapt to climate change were being negatively impacted by the lack of action and drive by the broader tourism industry, and by a lack of concrete government support for those operators implementing environmental initiatives.
“At a time when travellers need compelling reasons to visit and to travel within Australia, there is not one project within a government tourism department in Australia to support and build the profile of the environmentally sustainable tourism operators who are world leaders in this regard,” she said.
“Our environmental certification was a world first, and has been recognised and awarded internationally, yet the tourism operators who participate in this program are still considered as special interest or a niche product in Australia.
“Environment Ministers can see the connection with ecotourism, but the idea of mainstream tourism embracing sustainable standards is not on the agenda.”
Ms Cheatham said that in the recent Global Green Economy Index, which surveys 27 countries making up 90 per cent of the international green economy. The index ranks Australia third in perception of green tourism, but only tenth in performance.
“People believe we are doing the right thing; we do have a good international image at the moment, but there is a question mark over whether we are delivering or not."
Seizing the potential of ecotourism is the key theme at the four day conference starting Monday.
Convenor of the conference and ecotourism industry pioneer Tony Charters said Australian should across the ditch for an example of how to take advantage of eco tourism potential.
"Having pioneered the concept of ecotourism we now have to follow New Zealand’s lead by delivering products to the very highest standard," Mr Charter said. "New Zealand topped both the perception and performance index for tourism in the Global Green Economy Index."
Mr Charters said credibility was a "vital aspect" for the Australian tourism industry.
“We are never going to out do our competitors on price, particularly in the Asia Pacific region," he said. “We have stunning landscapes and natural assets – even in close proximity to cities like Sydney. Having pioneered the concept of ecotourism we now have to follow New Zealand’s lead by delivering products to the very highest standard. New Zealand topped both the perception and performance index for tourism in the Global Green Economy Index."
“We are never going to out do our competitors on price, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.
“We have stunning landscapes and natural assets – even in close proximity to cities like Sydney. Having pioneered the concept of ecotourism we now have to follow New Zealand’s lead by delivering products to the very highest standard.
