Sustainable Tourism

Australia is a unique, spectacular and ancient land that is visited annually by millions of tourists from all over the world. As stewards of the land we, with all Australians, have a responsibility to ensure that this occurs in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner.

What we are doing

Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism

The 'Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism' was launched on 29 February 2008 at the annual major Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra to encourage sustainable growth and support tourism businesses that protect, enhance and promote our distinctive destinations and environment.

The annual 'Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism' continues to:

Recognise and reward tourism businesses that implement the principles of sustainable tourism; those who set out to minimise their impact on the local environment, conserve natural resources, respect local culture and benefit local communities.
Inspire other tourism businesses to adopt new sustainable ways of doing business.
Acknowledge tourism businesses that provide a unique travel experience and inspire visitors to promote Australia as one of world's leading sustainable tourism destinations.

Each of the State winners receives a prize of $2,000. The National winner receives a major prize of $25,000. This prize needs to be invested in an initiative or project in line with the philosophy of the award.

In addition, the national winner receives coverage through Qantas' extensive communication channels, including 'Qantas - The Australian Way' inflight magazine and other inflight entertainment channels. This provides valuable exposure for these businesses to thousands of national and international consumers.

View more about the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.

To enter the 'Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism' and for further criteria information, select your state:

Hall of Fame

2012 National Winner - Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

2011 National Winner - Lane Cove River Tourist Park, Sydney in New South Wales

2010 National Winner - Crystal Creek Meadows Luxury Cottages & Spa Retreat, Kangaroo Valley in NSW won jointly with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Cairns in Queensland

2009 National Winner - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Cairns in Queensland

How you could help

For Tourists

We encourage all tourists to think about sustainability when they travel. Choose options that are low impact and look for tourism operators that have environmental certifications or have won awards for their environmental efforts. For example look for winners of the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism or those certified by Ecotourism Australia and remember, 'Take only photos, leave only footprints'.

For Tourism Operators

We encourage all tourism operators to embed sustainability considerations in your organisation including providing customers with sustainable tourism options and experiences. Doing so effectively will ensure that we can all continue to prosper well into the future in a way that allows the next generation to share and enjoy the diverse, fragile Australian environmental heritage from which we have all experienced and benefited.

Learn more from Tourism Australia and Sustainable Tourism Online.