PORT Stephens Council will seek an ECO Destination Certification for the LGA, in a move that could increase the appeal of the region while protecting the environment.
ECO Destination Certification is an internationally certified program that signals, through an independent assessment, that a destination is following the best practices in sustainable tourism.
Port Stephens attracts more than 2.1 million visitors each year, with many of them drawn by the region’s unique natural environment.
“That green tick of an ECO Certified destination captures a new type of market who want to travel to eco-friendly destinations,” Mayor Leah Anderson said.
Mayor Anderson said that the decision to seek ECO Destination Certification for Port Stephens has been discussed for a long time, and now was the time to start doing research to pursue it.
Examples of certified destinations include the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Bellingen Shire, Coffs Coast, Eurobodalla Coast, and Barrington Coast, among many others all over Australia.
Moonshadow Cruises and Imagine Cruises, operating in Port Stephens, already possess the certification as well.
Cr Roz Armstrong highlighted the positive consequences of a certification, saying that the benefits for Port Stephens would be “innumerable.”
“We will be visited by high-yield eco travellers, often very well-resourced, who research certifications before booking.”
The positives are not just economic in nature, as the certification would result in environmental and regulatory benefits, the creation of a framework for responsible interactions with nature and wildlife, and a reduction in overtourism risks.
It would also lead to an increase in Indigenous cultural tourism and engagement with Worimi Traditional Owners, building cohesion around a shared sustainable vision.
Cr Armstrong agreed with Mayor Anderson that “this has been a long time coming,” and so did all other Councillors, who unanimously voted in favour of a motion signalling the beginning of the process.
Port Stephens Council confirmed that the costs stemming from an ECO Destination Certification application, identified by the community as a potential concern, are still under review, and will be presented during a future meeting.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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