Eco-tourism is on the rise as travellers make more environmentally and socially responsible choices. Spicers Retreats in collaboration with The Sydney Morning Herald explores how Australia is in a great position to supply such sustainable experiences, with Spicers Peak Lodge’s Scenic Rim experience a key example. Penny Rafferty, Head of Sustainability at Tourism Australia and Executive Officer of Luxury Lodges of Australia speaks on the measurable impact of best tourism practises.

“Most eco-tourism businesses operate in rural or remote Australia, which encourages a huge flow-on effect in investment, jobs and community optimism.

‘We recently measured what I call the halo effect of 19 luxury Australian lodges. Between them they partnered with over 1,600 other local businesses: conservationists, specialist guides, food producers, winemakers, distillers, craftspeople, creators and artisans of all sorts,’ says Rafferty.

That’s good news, since without a healthy environment and resilient communities the tourism industry can’t exist. Operating unsustainably now is like sawing off the branch we’re sitting on. Eco-tourism not only protects the environment for our next generations, but their future livelihoods and quality of life as well. The Scenic Rim Trail is a case in point. It was built on the foundations of sustainable design, construction and operation in order to preserve its wild splendour.” – The Sydney Morning Herald.

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