Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey welcomes ECO Destination Certification

The Bundaberg region has become just the fifth area in the country to be awarded a prestigious ECO Destination Certification. Here’s what this means for our region.

Mon Repo is a wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with turtles as they hatch. Photo by Rowan Bestmann

The Bundaberg region is the fifth area in the country to be awarded am ECO Destination Certification from Eco-Tourism Australia.

The region was assessed on 91 criteria and achieved the certification at the eco-tourism level, which defined our area as a “nature-based tourism destination with a strong commitment to eco-tourism principles.”

“This involves cultural and natural interpretation and education for visitors, and local business engagement in sustainability,” the certification process found.”

Other certified areas are Port Douglas Daintree, Coffs Coast, Margaret River and Central Coast.

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The announcement was made by Eco-tourism Australia chief executive Elissa Keenan.

“Bundaberg Regional Council’s rigorous efforts to implement sustainable destination management practices at a global standard mark a strengthened environmental focus for the region’s tourism industry,” Ms Keenan said.

The council was instrumental in landing the award through work with key stakeholders such as Bundaberg Tourism and the Port Curtis Coral Coast Aboriginal Peoples Charitable Trust.

Lady Musgrave Island is one of Queensland’s most popular camping destinations on the Great Barrier Reef.

“It is a massive coup for the Bundaberg region to achieve Eco Destination Certification and sees our community become one of only a small number in the country to do so,” Mayor Jack Dempsey said.

“This achievement has obvious benefits for our economy but it will also benefit our environment by providing a framework to constantly maintain and improve sustainability practices.”

Bundaberg Tourism CEO Katherine Reid said it would boost tourism.

“The knowledge that their holidays are underpinned by respectful, sustainable and, in some cases, regenerative business practices will only strengthen our desirability as a destination,” she said.

The region has become known for its nature-based tourism though educational and accessible locations including the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, the Lady Musgrave Experience and several eco-certified Great Barrier Reef experiences.

Originally published as Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey welcomes ECO Destination Certification