ECO Destination Certification

The Cassowary Coast, in partnership with Cassowary Coast Tourism and key local, state and national stakeholders is on the journey to becoming an ECO Destination Certified by 2024

Located on the fringes of the Great Barrier Reef and bordered by the Wet Tropics Rainforest, the land and sea of our traditional owners the Mamu, Djiru, Girramay, Gulngay, Warrgamay, Jirrbal and Bandjin Peoples, the Cassowary Coast region is committed to working at protecting and supporting this natural environment for future generations.

Achieving ECO Certification will recognise the Cassowary Coast as a world class region that is strengthened by the destination’s commitment to ongoing improvement of sustainable practices, as well as providing high-quality nature-based tourism experiences. Certification of our region will appeal to the increasing number of conscious travellers looking to minimise their impact on the environment and be involved in the unique and authentic experiences our community has to offer.

The certification process considers six main themes:

1. Destination Management
2. Nature and Scenery
3. Environment and Climate
4. Culture and Tradition
5. Social and Well-being
6. Business and Hospitality

The ECO Destination Certification Program is a world first by Ecotourism Australia. The program was developed to identify genuine ecotourism and nature tourism experiences in Australia. The program assures travellers that certified destinations are backed by a strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practices and provide high-quality nature-based tourism experiences within the region. 

Destination certification is about much more than the tourism sector: it's about real, tangible environmental sustainability being demonstrated by how the community as a whole operates.

Increasingly, visitors are demanding authentic, unique, and environmentally sustainable experiences. A core belief is that visitors experiencing certified ECO Destinations do notice the difference.