Ecotourism
Quicksilver is proudly recognised in Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame as one of the nation’s first ecotourism innovators, credited with helping to pave the way for responsible and sustainable tourism as we experience it today.
Certified since 1997, Quicksilver was the first Great Barrier Reef tourism company to gain Advanced Ecotourism, the highest eco certification attainable in Australia, and Climate Action Innovator status.
Quicksilver’s long-term approach to conservation and sustainability began in an era before the term “ecotourism” was ever spawned and participated in Ecotourism Australia’s pilot accreditation scheme in 1996 to develop this significant environmental program.
What is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism Australia’s Eco Certification Program, describes Ecotourism as:
” Ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.”
What is the Eco Certification Program?
The Eco Certification Program is an initiative of Ecotourism Australia, which has established an Eco Certification Program Management Committee to provide policy and management support for the program.
The Eco Certification Program operates as a self-funding, not-for-profit program, with a Management Committee overseeing an Audit and Assessment Panel, which are chaired by a person independent of Ecotourism Australia.
Credibility with industry, communities and travellers is at the heart of the Eco Certification Program. This is maintained through:
- A rigorous assessment process including referees (one of whom must be a protected area manager)
- Review and updating of criteria every three years to reflect emerging best practice
- Feedback from customers of accredited operators
- Audits of operators, including an on-site audit on the entire set of the Eco Certification Program criteria at some stage during the period of accreditation.
Global Tourism Sustainable Council
The GSTC are an independent body that establishes and manages global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism with the aim of increasing sustainable tourism knowledge and practices.
The GSTC Approved tick logo means that our ECO certified products are certified under a certification program, namely Ecotourism Australia’s ECO certification, is using a Global Sustainable Tourism Council recognised standard, is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by the GSTC, and that the certification procedures largely meet international standards for transparency, impartiality, and competence.