Sustainable tourism

Ensuring a future of sustainable tourism for Australia is one that balances the benefits of economic prosperity alongside the needs of protecting our environment, culture and communities.

Sustainable tourism includes respecting our natural environment, and helping to preserve Australia’s natural wonders and cultures, so they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations

Research shows consumers are placing greater importance on sustainability across many aspects of their lives, including tourism:

• According to Tourism Australia’s Consumer Demand Project (2024), sustainability is a key consideration for travellers. 78 per cent of out-of-region travellers say sustainability is important to them in general, and more than two-thirds (69 per cent) say it is important to travel sustainably when going on holiday.
• Travellers are considering sustainability across all aspects of their travel. More than two-thirds (70 per cent) say they take sustainability into account when deciding where and how they travel, as well as when choosing activities, experiences, and purchases at their destination.

Resources for tourism operators

Starting your journey

The National Sustainability Framework for the Visitor Economy and Sustainable Tourism Toolkit have been jointly developed by the Australian Government, and State and Territory governments. These resources, designed specifically for the visitor economy, seek to bring participants together behind a consistent approach to sustainable tourism in Australia.

• National Sustainability Framework for the Visitor Economy
  The Framework, the first of its kind for Australian tourism, provides a nationally agreed understanding of sustainable tourism and a vision for Australia to be a world leader in sustainable tourism.
• Sustainable Tourism Toolkit
  The Sustainable Tourism Toolkit provides practical guidance to help tourism businesses implement sustainable practices across the four pillars of sustainability outlined in the Framework.

Get assessed, accredited or certified

For businesses already implementing sustainability practices, you may consider undertaking formal training or seeking formal recognition by getting accredited or certified. There are many accreditation and certification schemes available to tourism businesses in Australia, along with pre-certification benchmarking tools. These programs can be either designed specifically for tourism businesses, or available to business across many industries.

Tourism-specific programs

• The Australian Tourism Industry Council’s Sustainable Tourism Accreditation and Emissions Reduction Program is for small, medium and regional tourism businesses. The programs have been updated to reflect the National Sustainability Framework.
• Ecotourism Australia’s Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard pathway program is designed for tourism businesses looking to take their first steps towards measuring their sustainability efforts.
• Globally recognised specialist sustainability certification programs in Australia include EarthCheck and Ecotourism Australia, who both offer multiple certifications tailored to various business types and needs.

Other sustainability programs

• Other sustainability certification programs include standards for sustainable architecture and building design, such as NABERS, and cross-sector initiatives like B Corp. There are also environmental and climate action certifications, such as Climate Active, while ISO standards cover a broad range of areas including quality, energy management systems and sustainable events.