Eco-Tourism and Nature Based Tourism gaining popularity in Australia

Tourism Australia at Australian Tourism Exchange today said that Eco-tourism experiences are gaining new momentum with increasing numbers of travellers looking for ‘green’ holidays, whether it be choosing Eco Certified tourism products that focus on fostering environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation, ‘zero impact’ packages, carbon neutral itineraries, hiring hybrid cars or checking green ratings of hotels and airlines the environmentally conscious traveller is increasingly choosing Australia’s eco-friendly tourism products.

Eco-tourist destinations now attract about 15% of the global tourist market with TripAdvisor, one of the world’s largest travel community website, polling 1,000 travellers worldwide and discovering that one-quarter are considering going on an ecotourism trip and 38% per cent of respondents said that environmentally-friendly tourism is a consideration when travelling.

In addition, 9% specifically seek out environmentally-friendly hotels, 34% are willing to pay more to stay at an environmentally-friendly hotel with 25% willing to pay a 5-10% cent premium and 2% willing to pay 10-20% premium.

In 2006, 3.4 million overseas visitors to Australia, took part in a nature-based activity, an increase of 600,000 since 2003 and visits to National and State Parks were ranked the 5th most popular activity with 47% of all international visitors choosing this activity.

Visitors also participated in a range of activities from bushwalking and rainforest treks to whale and dolphin watching and from eco-camping facilities to environmental volunteer projects Australia delivers quality ecotourism and nature based experiences that are easily accessible.

Below is a listing and web site links to some of the eco-tourism and nature based products attending ATE.

1. Ecotourism Australia (National) Booth #218 – The national body for the eco-tourism and nature tourism industries in Australia. www.ecotourism.org.au

2. Tourism Research Australia International Visitor Survey 2006 – www.tra.australia.com

3. Emirates Hotels Australia (NSW) Booth #24 – Emirates is investing US$70 million (approx. AU$ 90 million) to build a luxury, conservation based resort in Australia’s Blue Mountains – its first hospitality development outside Dubai. www.wolganvalley.com

4. Kingfisher Bay Resort (QLD) Booth #208 – One of Australia’s pioneers in ecotourism, the Kingfisher Bay resort is located on World Heritage listed Fraser Island, the World’s largest sand island. www.kingfisherbay.com

5. Mirvac Hotels and Resorts (National) Booth #305 – Mirvac Hotels & Resorts is an Australian owned hotel group with 40 properties located in throughout Australia and New Zealand. www.mirvachotels.com

6. Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park (TAS) Booth #487B – The park operates breeding programs for a range of endangered animals including the Eastern Quoll, Southern Bettong and Squirrel Glider.

7. Phillip Island Nature Park (VIC) Booth #455 – Victoria’s Wildlife Island, Phillip Island is an easy 90 minute drive from Melbourne providing provides unique wildlife experiences, from interacting with koalas to the sunset march of the Little Penguins. www.penguins.org.au

8. Sydney Wildlife World (NSW) Booth #114 – Sydney Wildlife World houses the largest variety of Australian animals under one roof and provides a complete all-Australian wildlife experience in the heart of Darling Harbour. www.sydneywildlifeworld.com.au

9. The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary (QLD) Booth #103B – The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary promotes appreciation and understanding with a little more detail, the intricate interdependence of rainforest fauna and flora by experiencing up close, some of its inhabitants and through this appreciation and conservation. www.rainforesthabitat.com.au

10.  Voyages Hotels & Resorts Booth #290 – Voyages is an Australian travel company, providing experience-based holidays in spectacular wilderness locations including the Red Centre, Top End, Kimberley, Queensland and Tasmania.  www.voyages.com.au

11.  Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park (TAS) Booth #347 – The Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park is a wildlife attraction and tour operation open through the year and at the forefront of efforts to save the Tasmanian devil, which is under threat from a unique new type of cancer. www.tasmaniandevilpark.com

12.  Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary (SA) Booth #447A – Winner of South Australia’s Major Tourist Attraction and best Ecotourism Product Awards in 2005, Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is home to some of Australia’s most spectacular arid mountain landscapes. www.arkaroola.com.au

13.  Australian Eco Adventures (National) Booth #96 – Australian Eco Adventures was one of the first special interest nature based operators in Australia emphasising experiences and factual interpretations in geology, ornithology, zoology, botany, anthropology, culture and photography. www.ozeco.com.au

14.  Bamurru Plains (NT) Booth #384 – This new safari camp located close to Kakadu National Park, offers visitors the experience to live and breathe the natural environment while being afforded all the expected creature comforts of a premium safari camp. www.bamurruplains.com

15.  Conservation Volunteers Australia (National) Booth #216 – The Conservation Experience operates weekly in all states and involves active conservation volunteering team-based projects. www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

16.  Europcar (National) Booth #35 – Europcar Australia has partnered with Greenfleet, a non profit environmental conservation organisation that specialises in reducing environmental impacts of transport by planning native trees to offset carbon emissions and promoting fuel-efficient technologies. www.europcar.com.au

17.  Freeman Productions North Queensland – Cape York Turtle Rescue (QLD) Booth #63 – This unique experience allows visitors to work with Aboriginal rangers securing the habitat of nesting turtles with visitors spending a week camping and working with Aboriginal rangers.

18.  Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris (SA) Booth #416B – Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris provides nature-based tours led by people who have lived in the outback all their lives. www.gawlerrangessafaris.com

19.  Karijini Eco Retreat (NSW) Booth #573 – Exclusively owned by an Aboriginal community this luxury camp set in a national park offers visitors an authentic cultural and outback experience.

20.  Rawnsley Park Station (SA) Booth #415B – Whether you want to pitch a tent under the stars or enjoy our luxury Eco Villas, Rawnsley Park Station has accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. www.rawnsleypark.com.au

21.  Something Wild Wildlife Sanctuary (TAS) Booth #345B – Something Wild is Tasmania’s largest wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary and home to the Eastern Quoll buffer against extinction project. www.somethingwild.com.au

22.  The Freycinet Escape (TAS) Booth #340B – Freycinet Escape is a luxury wilderness eco-camp situated within the Freycinet National Park.  www.freycinetescape.com.au

23.  Undara Experience (QLD) Booth #64B – The Undara Experience features the world’s longest lava tube from a single volcano. Explore the Undara Lava Tubes with a variety of tours conducted by international quality Savannah Guides. www.undara.com.au

For more information visit: www.tourism.australia.com/australianexperiences

Report by The Mole on location from ATE 2007, Brisbane