Ecotourism in Vanuatu Rod Hillman Chief Executive - Ecotourism Australia

Ecotourism Australia Formed following Australia’s first ecotourism conference in Formed following Australia’s first ecotourism conference in Not for profit, non-government organisation. Not for profit, non-government organisation. Peak national body for the nature-based & cultural tourism industry. Peak national body for the nature-based & cultural tourism industry. Certification programs. Certification programs. Conferences and workshops. Conferences and workshops. Advocacy on behalf of members. Advocacy on behalf of members. Program Management Program Management Marketing of members – Eco-lodges, ATE & website. Marketing of members – Eco-lodges, ATE & website. 500 members with a combined annual revenue of $1.2B 500 members with a combined annual revenue of $1.2B “To inspire environmentally sustainable and culturally responsible tourism”

Ecotourism Australia – Eco-certification Developed the first eco-certification program in the world – 1995 Developed the first eco-certification program in the world – 1995 Has become the ‘world standard’ eco-certification since that time Has become the ‘world standard’ eco-certification since that time Over 1,500 products eco-certified in Australia (500 tour operators) Over 1,500 products eco-certified in Australia (500 tour operators) Internationally licensed to Southern Africa Internationally licensed to Southern Africa Currently in negotiations with Taiwan & Coral Triangle Currently in negotiations with Taiwan & Coral Triangle One of only three certification programs (globally) to achieve “Approved” status with GSTC One of only three certification programs (globally) to achieve “Approved” status with GSTC Formally linked to: Formally linked to: Trip Advisor Trip Advisor BookGreener BookGreener Recognised and rewarded by each and every protected Area Management Agency in Australia Recognised and rewarded by each and every protected Area Management Agency in Australia

Ecotourism Australia – International Recognition MOUs in place with MOUs in place with UNESCO UNESCO Taiwanese Ecotourism Association Taiwanese Ecotourism Association Global Sustainable Tourism Council Global Sustainable Tourism Council COMET COMET MEET MEET IUCN IUCN International representation International representation Indonesia Indonesia Korea Korea Cambodia Cambodia Kenya Kenya Malaysia Malaysia Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Taiwan Taiwan

Ecotourism – your natural advantage Eco-tourism Eco-tourism Tourism in and about nature, Tourism in and about nature, Conducted in a sustainable manner, and Conducted in a sustainable manner, and Provides a contribution to the environment & community Provides a contribution to the environment & community A sustainable business is a profitable business A sustainable business is a profitable business

Our Programs ECO Certification–for nature tourism ECO Certification–for nature tourism Respecting Our Culture-for all involving culture Respecting Our Culture-for all involving culture Climate Action Certification – any tourism business Climate Action Certification – any tourism business EcoGuide Certification – for individual tour guides EcoGuide Certification – for individual tour guides

The ECO Certification program assures travellers that certified products are backed by a strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices and provides high quality nature-based tourism experiences. The ECO Certification Program is a world first and it has been developed to address the need to identify genuine nature and ecotourism operators. ECO Certification is product-specific— this means that you will need to answer the criteria as it applies specifically to each of your products. This also means that you are able to apply for ECO Certification even if not all of your products are nature-based.

GSTC “Approved” Our ‘Ecotourism’ and ‘Advanced Ecotourism’ levels of eco- certification have gained GSTC ‘Approved‘ status. This allows eco-certified tour operators to carry the GSTC logo

Tourism in natural areas that leaves minimal impact on the environment. Tourism in natural areas focusing on optimal resources use, conservation practices and helps local communities. Tourism with strong interpretation values, commitment to nature conservation and helping local communities. Ecotourism – Three Levels

1.Business Management and Operational Planning Business Ethics Natural Area Focus | Indigenous Cultural Focus 2.Responsible Marketing 3.Customer Satisfaction 4.Environmental Management 5.Interpretation and Education 6.Contribution for Conservation 7.Working with Local Communities 8.Cultural Respect and Sensitivity There are 8 section components for the ECO certification program

How does it work? Certification granted An on-site external audit will be conducted within the first three months and then every three years thereafter. Visit the ECO Certification page on our website and select ”Apply now!’’ Follow the prompts to Register and pay your once- only application fee. You will receive a confirmation , follow the instructions and get started on your application! Free coaching sessions are available, contact the EA Office with any questions. Submit your completed application to Ecotourism Australia! Your application is assessed and any corrections followed up with you. This process usually takes about 2 weeks

Why it Works Well respected by Consumers, Marketers and Government Agencies Well respected by Consumers, Marketers and Government Agencies Well established branding supported by Government and Industry Well established branding supported by Government and Industry Independent Auditing Independent Auditing Commitment by Eco-certified tour operators to sustainable practices Commitment by Eco-certified tour operators to sustainable practices Strong support by Land Management Agencies Strong support by Land Management Agencies Longer licenses/permits Longer licenses/permits Preferential Marketing and Media Preferential Marketing and Media Exclusive access to sensitive areas Exclusive access to sensitive areas Mandatory where demand exceeds supply, new opportunities or for exclusive access to research programs Mandatory where demand exceeds supply, new opportunities or for exclusive access to research programs

Why it Works – badge of quality 40% of all 2014 Australian Tourism Awards finalists held eco- certification. 40% of all 2014 Australian Tourism Awards finalists held eco- certification. A third of all 2014 Australian Tourism Award winners were eco- certified. A third of all 2014 Australian Tourism Award winners were eco- certified. ‘Tourism Legend’ – Rob Pennicott - at 2014 Australian Tourism Awards is eco-certified. ‘Tourism Legend’ – Rob Pennicott - at 2014 Australian Tourism Awards is eco-certified. 25% of all suppliers at the 2015 Australian Tourism Exchange were eco- certified. 25% of all suppliers at the 2015 Australian Tourism Exchange were eco- certified.

High standard tourism The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) encourages tourism operations to adopt high standards for protection, presentation and partnership within the Marine Park. These standards enhance environmental protection, reef resilience and tourism sustainability. The GBRMPA relies on independent certification to identify high standard operations. It recognises the ECO Certification Program operated by Ecotourism Australia as a certification scheme for the Marine Park.ECO Certification Program Through the ECO Certification Program, Ecotourism Australia identifies and monitors high standard tourism operations. Other certification schemes may be approved in the future, based on standard assessment criteria and a simple assessment process.ECO Certification Programassessment criteriaassessment process

Are there benefits to becoming certified? The GBRMPA has developed benefits to both reward high standard operators and provide incentives for other operators to improve their performance. The major benefit offered by the GBRMPA is an extended permit term of 15 years for tourism program permits. Operators who are certified with the ECO Certification Program (Ecotourism and Advanced Ecotourism levels) and wish to apply for a 15-year permit for a certified tourism product will need to complete the usual Marine Parks permit application form and provide evidence of certification. The application will be assessed as normal and an assessment fee will apply.Marine Parks permitassessment fee In addition, certified operators are listed on GBRMPA's website and are showcased at various trade events (for example, the Australian Tourism Exchange) and in publications (for example, the Australian Ecotourism Directory).certified operators

From an operator Sally Sherlock, Enterprise Charters, March 2010 "A passion for the Reef, the sustainability of the Marine Park, and a commitment as guardians of the GBR, were the chief motivations to become ECO Certified."

Uptake by operators Growth of High Standard Operations and Products Source: GBRMPA EMC, 2010 As at March Operators and 143 products

Growth in actual visitors carried This has resulted in 64 per cent of the 2.09 million visitors in 2013 travelling to the Reef with high standard or ECO certified operators.

In Vanuatu It is possible for Vanuatu to use the Eco-certification program, branding, process and systems through a licensing agreement. It is possible for Vanuatu to use the Eco-certification program, branding, process and systems through a licensing agreement. Questions to ask Questions to ask Is there support from Government and Tour Operators? Is there support from Government and Tour Operators? What incentives can Government offer eco-certified operators that are meaningful? What incentives can Government offer eco-certified operators that are meaningful? Who would operate the program and carry the sub-license and follow the EA/GSTC endorsed policies and procedures? Who would operate the program and carry the sub-license and follow the EA/GSTC endorsed policies and procedures? Government? Government? Tour Operators/Hotel Association? Tour Operators/Hotel Association? NGO? NGO? Who will undertake the audits? Who will undertake the audits?

In Vanuatu

Rod Hillman