The Central Coast is now Ecotourism certified under Ecotourism Australia’s globally recognised ECO Destination Certification, and is one of only eleven regions in Australia to hold this recognition in sustainable tourism.

Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said this milestone strengthens the Central Coast’s reputation as a leading eco-conscious destination which helps to attract even more visitors each year.

“The globally recognised program assesses destinations on environmental management, cultural heritage, visitor experience and community benefits,” Ms Smith said.

“Visitors have been able to immerse themselves in authentic, high-quality experiences inspired by nature that are offered by locally-run businesses dedicated to sustainable tourism and showcasing the natural beauty of the Central Coast.

“We’ve held an ECO destination status for the past two years, and have advanced to the next level of Ecotourism, following an independent audit that was conducted against 105 criteria and interviews with a range of stakeholders.

“This milestone recognising our ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism, responsible visitor experiences, and the protection of natural and cultural assets in partnership with our community and tourism operators”.

Council Mayor Lawrie McKinna said this achievement reflects a collaborative effort between Council, tourism operators and the community, whose collective aim is to position the region as a top choice for responsible tourism.

“Being an eco-destination encourages sustainable practices that preserve the beautiful natural assets, national parks and wildlife of the Central Coast,” Mayor McKinna said.

“I strongly believe that being recognised by Ecotourism Australia will help support our local businesses, improve employment opportunities on the coast, and grow our visitor economy.”

Visit lovecentralcoast.com/ecotourism to discover our region’s ECO journey and how you can be part of our journey to a greener, more sustainable future.