Meet the first ECO Certified Destination in Victoria.
**The East Gippsland region is the first destination in Victoria and seventh in Australia** to meet global best practice sustainability standards to achieve ECO Destination Certification, with Ecotourism Australia.
As the first region to be certified in the state, the East Gippsland Shire Council is a leader for the broader Gippsland region and is committed to inspiring sustainability outside of its borders. Nationally, East Gippsland is part of a select few, with only seven regions across Australia having achieved ECO Destination Certification.
East Gippsland Shire Council commented that "This is a hard-won recognition of our commitment to preserving and protecting our natural surroundings while offering unforgettable experiences to all our visitors."
Thanks to a partnership with Ecotourism Australia and WWF-Australia, East Gippsland Shire Council was able to pursue ECO Destination Certification as a way to implement a sustainable tourism recovery after the devastating summer bushfires of 2019-20 and ‘build back better’.
East Gippsland is home to ECO certified operators Lakes Beachfront Holiday Park and Gippsland High Country Tours, which is in Ecotourism Australia’s Hall of Fame for 20 years of certification.
“Sustainable tourism and ecotourism help to protect the natural environment, support the local community and build resilience within the tourism industry through adherence to the four pillars of sustainability: sustainable management, environmental impacts, socio-economic impacts, and cultural impacts.” said Ecotourism Australia CEO, Ms Elissa Keenan.
By obtaining this Eco Tourism Status, it assures travellers that the destination of East Gippsland is genuinely committed to holistic sustainability and providing high-quality nature-based and sustainable experiences within the region.
You can read more about The Eco Certified destination of East Gippsland's RIGHT HERE
