The Bundaberg Region Destination Tourism Strategy outlines the foundational pillars of the tourism industry for the region, highlighting an ethos of Green and Meaningful, with sustainability at the forefront of the visitor experience, promoting a strong community sense of responsibility for the land, for the turtle population and for the Great Barrier Reef.
In close partnership with Bundaberg Regional Council and the tourism industry, the region is striving for ECO Destination certification with Ecotourism Australia. This intensive accreditation process assures travellers that certified destinations are backed by a strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practises and provide high-quality, nature-based tourism experiences within the region.
Destination Certification however is about much more than the tourism sector: it’s about real, tangible environmental sustainability being demonstrated by how the community operates. This process will also help the region to provide and support a business environment in which Ecotourism can thrive and sustainable operational practises are celebrated.
As the southernmost gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and home to the largest turtle rookery on the East coast of Australia, committing to sustainable practices across our community and region helps to ensure locals and visitors for generations to come can experience our backyard’s spectacular natural attractions.
With more people seeking sustainable experiences across their travels, this journey to ECO certification demonstrates to visitors that our passionate community takes our responsibility as custodians seriously.
Ecotourism Australia also delivers the certification program for businesses, with Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Lady Musgrave Experience and Bargara’s Kellys Beach Resort, all accredited businesses in the region. Throughout the Bundaberg region, we are blessed with an abundance of beautiful natural environments to explore, from the Southern Great Barrier Reef to our hinterland. Through the ECO destination process, we will be supporting more tourism businesses to go through the business program over the next 12 months and encourage everyone to consider Eco certified operators when booking their next holiday or for when exploring our own backyard!
Bundaberg Tourism is thrilled to be embarking on this certification program with Bundaberg Regional Council, our tourism industry and the community; it is a wonderful opportunity to show a connected Team Bundaberg, working together for a sustainable future and we invite you all to be a part of it.
Yours in tourism,
Katherine Reid, CEO
