International Ecotourism Standard to be released

An International Ecotourism Standard is due to be formally released at the International Australian Ecotourism Conference in Cairns late October 2002.

Green Globe 21 said it has been working closely with Dr Alice Crabtree of the Ecotourism Association of Australia (EAA) in developing the final Standard based on the responses received internationally.

It said the majority of the responses have been positive.

However, some areas of industry believe that the new IES is very strict and have advised accordingly.

Green Globe 21 and EAA said they believe that the IES sets a very important standard for ecotourism within natural lands anywhere on the planet, and that certification based on this Standard will be of the highest quality.

The Standard will be released formally, along with a User’s Guide and a new Benchmarking CD for ecotourism, at the International Ecotourism Conference in Cairns late October 2002. Green Globe 21 said will be placing information on their website as soon as it is made available.