Sustainable Tourism
‘Sustainable tourism’ encompasses the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of the tourism industry.
The size of Queensland’s tourism industry can have a significant impact on the natural and cultural environment. Creating a balance between the interests of tourists, host communities and the environment – and recognising mutual dependency – requires a special approach to guarantee the industry’s long-term future.
Queensland’s tourism-related enterprises have a central role to play in fostering sustainable tourism; through sustainable practice in investment, production, employment and marketing.
There is an established connection between sustainability and commercial success, because reducing energy consumption, minimising waste and conserving water saves money and so increases profit.
By making sustainability a focus, businesses can:
• increase tourists by promoting sustainability credentials to ‘green-savvy’ consumers who make purchasing decisions based on minimising their own footprint;
• reduce operating costs by undertaking initiatives that reduce waste, water and energy consumption;
• develop a competitive advantage by establishing and promoting sustainable business practices as a point of difference;
• attract and retain valuable staff by adopting policies that meet with employee values and concerns;
• encourage investors interested in companies with long-term sustainability plans that minimise operating risks in the future; and
• increase long-term profitability by putting plans in place now that will create savings in the future such as minimising transport costs that will continue to rise as fuel becomes more expensive.
5 Step Plan for Sustainability
The Pathway to Sustainability for Tourism Operators
For further information or for helpful fact sheets visit Tourism Australia.
Carbon Pricing
Australia will face significant environmental and economic costs in a warmer, more unstable climate. The federal Government wants businesses and communities to take responsibility for their carbon emissions and is encouraging businesses to reduce carbon emissions and use renewable energy technology that does not emit carbon to our atmosphere.
Tourism Queensland have produced a fact sheet for the industry looking at what carbon pricing is all about.
FACT SHEET: What is carbon pricing all about?