Ecotourism
Australia will be presenting the 2011 Gecko
Awards on Day Four of the conference, Thursday
10 November during the plenary
program. Closer to this date the
awards criteria will be released here.
The purpose
of the GECKO Awards to recognise the best of the
best in environmentally sustainable and culturally
responsible tourism in Australia. Certified tourism
operators self nominate and the winners are decided
by a panel of judges.
Applications
are to be submitted by Close of Business
on Friday 30 September 2011 to admin@ecotourism.org.au
and the winners will be announced during the Global
Eco Conference on Thursday 10 November in Sydney,
New South Wales.
Click
here to view the criteria.
As
per previous year there are 4 award categories:
Tourism NT Ecotourism
Award
This category aims to recognise ecologically sustainable
tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural
areas that foster environmental and cultural understanding,
appreciation and conservation. To be eligible for
this award, the organisation must be certified under
the ECO
Certification Program.
Gumala Aboriginal
Corporation Indigenous Tourism Award
To apply for the Indigenous Cultural Tourism Award,
the tourism business must be either at least partially
owned by an Indigenous Australian and/or the product
must be focussed on Indigenous Culture (at least
half of the guest's experience must be focussed
on these cultural aspects). To be eligible for this
award, the business must be certified under the
Respecting
Our Culture Program.
Climate Action
Tourism Award sponsored by the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority
This category aims to recognise sustainable tourism
with a primary focus on reducing carbon footprint,
lowering emission levels, providing education to
visitors and raising the level of awareness and
action in response to climate change. To be eligible
for this award, organisations must be certified
under the Climate
Action Program.
EcoGuide Award
of Excellence
To apply for the William Angliss EcoGuide Award
of Excellence, applicants should be certified EcoGuides.
The 2010 winners were announced
at the Gala Dinner concluding Global Eco 2010:
Gecko Canoeing (NT) - Ecotourism
Award
Bookabee Tours (SA) - Indigenous
Tourism Award
Crystal Creek Meadows (NSW) - Climate
Action Tourism Award
Mike Keighley, Far Out Adventures
(NT) - EcoGuide Award
Christopher Warren, Crystal Creek
Meadows (NSW) - ECO Medal
