ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA AND BLACKWATTLE LUXURY RETREATS
Blackwattle Luxury Retreats has now been awarded certification from ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA - one of only 93 accommodation properties to be accredited in Australia and only the second in the Hunter Valley wine region.
Ecotourism Australia accreditation is a globally recognized brand which assists travellers to choose and experience a genuine and authentic tour, attraction, cruise or accommodation that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. 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. It has been developed to address the need to identify genuine ecotourism operators, rather than those calling themselves “eco friendly” without appropriate assessment and auditing. It is also now being exported to the rest of the world as the International ECO Certification Program.
Credibility with industry, communities and travellers is at the heart of the ECO Certification Program. This is maintained through:
1. a rigorous assessment process addressing management practices of our business
2. ongoing review and updating of criteria to reflect emerging and ongoing world’s best practice
3. audits of operators, interviews with referees, and an on-site audit on the entire set of the ECO Certification criteria within the first twelve months after initial certification
What this means for our guests
Ecotourism accreditation identifies Blackwattle as having achieved best practice in many vital areas, not only in environmental management. For you, our guest, accreditation provides a guarantee of a quality tourism experience, and the assurance that Blackwattle is constantly working towards best practice status in legal compliance, ethical marketing, effective staff management, customer service, business ethics and environmental management.
The Ecotourism Australia vision
"To be leaders in assisting ecotourism and other committed tourism operations to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially and culturally responsible".
Other accredited properties in the Hunter Valley include 'Somewhere Unique' http://somewhereunique.com.au
