Margaret River secures Ecotourism Australia accreditation in WA first

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and its industry partners welcomed official recognition this week that the region would be officially listed as an eco-destination. The internationally recognised Ecotourism Australia certification marks Margaret River as one of only four such regions in the country, recognising the work of businesses across the Capes for their work supporting the environment and providing conservation-minded experiences. The win was the culmination of 18 months work by the Shire, the Margaret River-Busselton Tourism Association, and local ecotourism offerings which now tally 15 business-level accreditations. Recognition of Margaret River and surrounds as an eco-friendly tourism destination would help attract high-yield travellers who wanted to enjoy unspoilt landscapes while also treading lightly when on holiday. An assessor visited Margaret River on May 10 and included site visits to Blackwood River Houseboats, Fair Harvest Permaculture, and Tanah Marah Resort. Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association chief executive Sharna Kearney said her group’s strategic direction emphasised “environmental conservation and cultural heritage”. “This is great encouragement on our journey as a destination, and is testament to the efforts of innovative local tourism businesses working hard to deliver high-quality visitor experiences in a responsible way,” she said. “This certification adds to the ways in which we can send a strong signal to high-value travellers with a growing interest in destinations which are managed sustainably. “We will continue to work with our members to pursue development opportunities which will enable them to increase their appeal to these audiences, to work smarter and create a positive impact in the region where they live and work.” A Shire spokesperson said the accreditation would formalise the region’s standing as an ecological attraction for the tourism market while also supporting steps taken to reduce the effects of climate change. Shire chief executive Stephanie Addison-Brown said the certificate would help “promote our incredible region as a place that expects the best treatment”. “It is not about increasing visitor numbers, but is about increasing awareness of the preciousness of our home,” she said. “Community members consistently tell us that sustainability is a top priority for the Shire, so being able to announce this achievement just ahead of World Environment Day is an exciting affirmation of our community’s values.” Support for conservation groups and volunteers, Margaret River as an owl-friendly region, forays into sustainable agriculture and the local economy, waste reduction, cycling trails, and the Shire’s Climate Action Plan and intentions to reach net-zero energy emissions by 2030 were all cited as positive steps in the right direction. Carbon-reduction measures undertaken by a range of Margaret River region wineries and vineyards were also contributors to the assessment. Ecotourism Australia certification covered local sustainability, including waste and water management, pollution, revegetation, and the way visitors were attracted and dispersed across the region. Ecotourism Australia chief executive Elissa Keenan said the award was the first given in WA.