Australian Walking Holidays Awarded Highest Level of Certification from Ecotourism Australia

With the number of companies out there now offering adventure travel, it’s a big deal when you achieve recognition from your peers.

Our Australian domestic division, Australian Walking Holidays has done just that. 

Recently, its entire range of active holidays was awarded certification in all three programs by Ecotourism Australia and included in the prestigious Green Travel Guide. 

The three programs are; 

• Advanced Ecotourism Certification, 
• Respecting our Culture Certification, and 
• Climate Action Business Certification.

“I am absolutely thrilled that our combined efforts to deliver tours of the highest standards of sustainability have been recognised with this triple program certification,” said Michael Buggy, Australian Walking Holidays General Manager. “Many of the areas in which we operate are places of astonishing natural beauty and are often of great significance to Indigenous people.”

The triple certification by Ecotourism Australia assures travellers that the experience they are booking with Australian Walking Holidays has been independently verified for its commitment to sustainable practices.

With the award, Australian Walking Holidays becomes one of only 20 businesses in Australia to achieve certification across all three programs.

According to Buggy, the months-long certification process involved a rigorous examination of the company’s environmental management plan, including its initiatives in wildlife conservation, its Indigenous cultural respect and representation, and its operational practices to effectively measure and minimize its carbon footprint.

“We hope this independent accreditation gives travellers even greater confidence that they are travelling sustainably and respectfully when they travel with us,” Mr Buggy said. “We welcome the regular audits by independent experts from Ecotourism Australia that are part of ongoing accreditation to ensure we maintain best practice,” he said.

Ecotourism Australia CEO, Elissa Keenan, commended the achievement.

“We are proud to see Australian Walking Holidays achieve certification in all three programs, showcasing to travellers that their tours across Australia uphold global best practice sustainability standards in environmental protection, Indigenous cultural respect and representation, and climate action,” she said.

Australian Walking Holidays offers a range of active holidays in every State and Territory except the ACT. It is Australia’s most experienced operator of high-quality, small group Australian walking holidays and its exclusive itineraries are all 100 percent carbon offset.