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Ecotourism

Ecotourism Accreditation

Ecotourism Australia has an Eco Certification Program which has been developed to identify genuine nature tourism and ecotourism products in Australia.

	Nature Tourism: Tourism in a natural area that leaves minimal impact on the environment.
	Ecotourism: Tourism in a natural area that offers interesting ways to learn about the environment with an operator that uses resources wisely, contributes to the conservation of the environment and helps local communities.
	Advanced Ecotourism: Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism products, providing an opportunity to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities.

It applies to three types of nature tourism

• Accommodation
• Tours
• Attractions

Certification is based on the following six principles

1. Business management and operational planning
2. Business ethics
3. Responsible marketing
4. Customer satisfaction
5. Natural area focus
6. Environmental sustainability

Advanced ecotourism certification must also adopt the following four principles

1. Interpretation and education
2. Contribution to conservation
3. Working with local communities
4. Cultural respect and sensitivity

The following member-businesses on the Daintree Coast have been Eco Certified

Eco Certified — Advanced Ecotourism

• Cooper Creek Wilderness
• Daintree Discovery Centre
• Daintree Rainforest and River Boardwalk
• Daintree Rainforest Rivertrain
• Daintree Wilderness Lodge

Eco Certified — Ecotourism

• Cape Tribulation Resort & Spa
• Paddletrek Sea Kayaking

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) encourages high standard marine tourism operations. High standard operations are those operations that are ecologically sustainable and are helping to protect and present the Marine Park to a consistently high standard.

‘High Standard Tourism Operator’ — Paddletrek Sea Kayaking.