Welcome to the Sustainable Tourism Toolkit.
The Toolkit is a practical guide to help Australian tourism businesses understand sustainability and the actions they can take over time to become more sustainable.
The Sustainable Tourism Toolkit is a partnership between the Australian Government and all State and Territory governments. The Toolkit has been prepared to provide information relevant to tourism businesses across Australia while recognising more specific information is available at the State and Territory level.
A condensed, digital version of this Toolkit is available on www.business.gov.au.Business.gov.au provides information on tools, grants, and support available across government to help Australian businesses succeed.
What is sustainable tourism?
Sustainable tourism is defined as “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and
host communities”. Here in Australia, that means taking action to protect and conserve our unique environments, build resilience to climate change, respectfully engage with our rich and diverse cultures, and work collaboratively with local communities, employees and suppliers to ensure tourism benefits everyone.
The Toolkit supports the vision in the National Sustainability Framework for the Visitor Economy (the Framework) where “Australia is a world leader in sustainable tourism, delivered by thriving businesses that protect and enhance the environment, respect and nurture our diverse cultures, and empower local communities”. The Framework reflects a unified commitment and signals a partnership with industry to realise this vision.
Sustainability is no longer optional – it is essential for the success of every business in the visitor economy. Sustainable practices will often help businesses become more efficient, thereby improving profitability and making businesses stronger and more resilient over time. The important thing is to recognise that becoming more sustainable is a step-by-step journey and not a single action.
Visitors are increasingly expecting businesses to be more sustainable, and local communities expect businesses to protect the environment
and to work collaboratively so that tourism is done “with them” rather than “to them”.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) sets out four areas, or pillars, in a sustainability journey:
1. Taking a managed approach to sustainability embedding business practices and policies to ensure sustainability goals are achieved.
2. Implementing environmental and climate action – taking action to protect wildlife and nature, reduce carbon emissions, adapt
and build resilience to climate change and responsibly use resources, including energy, water and waste.
3. Respecting culture – acknowledging and engaging appropriately with First Nations peoples and other cultural groups and helping to protect and preserve cultural heritage.
4. Creating positive social impact – working cooperatively and inclusively with visitors, employees, suppliers, and local communities. Implementing sustainability is an exciting opportunity to transform your business for the better, while also benefitting your community and the environment.
Welcome to the Sustainable Tourism Toolkit.
The Toolkit is a practical guide to help Australian tourism businesses understand sustainability and the actions they can take over time to become more sustainable.
The Sustainable Tourism Toolkit is a partnership between the Australian Government and all State and Territory governments. The Toolkit has been prepared to provide information relevant to tourism businesses across Australia while recognising more specific information is available at the State and Territory level.
A condensed, digital version of this Toolkit is available on www.business.gov.au.Business.gov.au provides information on tools, grants, and support available across government to help Australian businesses succeed.
What is sustainable tourism?
Sustainable tourism is defined as “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and
host communities”. Here in Australia, that means taking action to protect and conserve our unique environments, build resilience to climate change, respectfully engage with our rich and diverse cultures, and work collaboratively with local communities, employees and suppliers to ensure tourism benefits everyone.
The Toolkit supports the vision in the National Sustainability Framework for the Visitor Economy (the Framework) where “Australia is a world leader in sustainable tourism, delivered by thriving businesses that protect and enhance the environment, respect and nurture our diverse cultures, and empower local communities”. The Framework reflects a unified commitment and signals a partnership with industry to realise this vision.
Sustainability is no longer optional – it is essential for the success of every business in the visitor economy. Sustainable practices will often help businesses become more efficient, thereby improving profitability and making businesses stronger and more resilient over time. The important thing is to recognise that becoming more sustainable is a step-by-step journey and not a single action.
Visitors are increasingly expecting businesses to be more sustainable, and local communities expect businesses to protect the environment
and to work collaboratively so that tourism is done “with them” rather than “to them”.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) sets out four areas, or pillars, in a sustainability journey:
1. Taking a managed approach to sustainability embedding business practices and policies to ensure sustainability goals are achieved.
2. Implementing environmental and climate action – taking action to protect wildlife and nature, reduce carbon emissions, adapt
and build resilience to climate change and responsibly use resources, including energy, water and waste.
3. Respecting culture – acknowledging and engaging appropriately with First Nations peoples and other cultural groups and helping to protect and preserve cultural heritage.
4. Creating positive social impact – working cooperatively and inclusively with visitors, employees, suppliers, and local communities. Implementing sustainability is an exciting opportunity to transform your business for the better, while also benefitting your community and the environment.
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