Ecotourism Australia’s Certification programs were endorsed yesterday under the Federal Governments new National Tourism Accreditation Framework, launched by the Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Sydney yesterday.

(TRAVPR.COM) AUSTRALIA - April 3rd, 2011 - Ecotourism Australia’s Certification programs were endorsed yesterday under the Federal Governments new National Tourism Accreditation Framework, launched by the Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Sydney yesterday.

Australia’s high quality tourism businesses will now be recognisable by a national trademark, known as the TQUAL mark.  This will be backed by the Australian Government and Tourism Australia’s global marketing power, helping accredited businesses stand out in an increasingly crowded market place.

“The national TQUAL mark will help visitors choose businesses they can rely on; businesses which have signed up to standards including customer service, environmental practices and accuracy in advertising” Minister Ferguson said.

“Tourism operators that have already achieved certification under ECO and ROC programs will be able to use the TQUAL logo and leverage off the new marketing campaigns” said Kym Cheatham, CEO Ecotourism Australia.

“This appropriate recognition of Australia’s longest running tourism certification program” Ms Cheatham said.  “We look forward to helping tourism operators who have taken the initiative to be certified maximise

Ecotourism Australia has been running ECO certification since 1995, and was a first for Australian and the first Eco Certification for the tourism industry in the world. Over 1000 products throughout Australia are certified through Ecotourism Australi

For more information on Ecotourism Australia’s certification the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program visit www.ecotourism.org.au

For more information contact:

Kym Cheatham, Chief Executive Officer, Ecotourism Australia E: ceo@ecotourism.org.au, M: 0427 279 414  www.ecotourism.org.au

The Ecotourism Australia vision: "To be leaders in assisting ecotourism and other committed tourism operations to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially and culturally responsible".

Ecotourism Australia was formed in 1991 as an incorporated non-profit organisation, and is the peak national body for the ecotourism industry. Ecotourism Australia aims to grow and promote ecotourism and to assist tourism operators to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially and culturally responsible.

Membership includes tour operators, ecotourism accommodation, tourism planners, protected area managers, academics and students, regional tourism associations and travellers.

Ecotourism Australia’s certification program ECO is a world first. It provides objective monitoring and auditing of organisations’ ecotourism claims and provides travel agents and tourists with an assurance of best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and quality ecotourism experiences.

Ecotourism Australia recently added ROC (Respect Our Culture) Certification for Indigenous Tourism operators and Climate Action Australia Certification to help the tourism industry work towards a more sustainable future.

In 2008, Ecotourism Australia was awarded the prestigious World Travel and Tourism Council “Tourism for Tomorrow” Award for Conservation at the World Tourism Summit in recognition of Ecotourism Australia’s significant contribution to the conservation and preservation of natural heritage.

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