Sustainable Regions

Tourism Queensland is working towards building sustainable destinations and supporting global best practice in tourism through its Sustainable Regions program. The program starts at the grass-roots level, working with regions and their tourism operators and communities to determine their current performance and then identify and implement actions needed to ensure ongoing sustainable tourism development.

Tourism Queensland's Sustainable Regions Program has been nominated as a finalist in two prestigious Award programs for 2010:

• Banksia Environmental Awards 2010 - Education Category Finalist

• 2010 QLD Premier's Award for Excellence in Public Service Delivery - Strong Category Finalist

Vision:

“For Queensland to be recognised internationally and domestically as a sustainable tourism destination, where the very assets that attract visitors to the region are managed for the enjoyment of future generations”

Outcomes:

To date, seven regions have participated (Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, North Stradbroke Island, Pioneer Valley/ Cape Hillsborough, Winton, Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy and Capricorn Coast). The measureable results so far include:

• Almost 50 Queensland tourism businesses made a commitment and have a plan to reduce their combined carbon footprint by 1,173.31 tonnes of C02-e, the equivalent of taking 273 cars off the road for a year
• Clusters have been formed in each area supported by the Regional Tourism Organisations and Councils to deliver innovative visitor education, promotion and operator engagement programs
• Operators and clusters have invested in new green initiatives including:
  
  • The Stradbroke Island Bakery purchased a new fan-forced oven predicted to save over $26,000 in LPG costs and pay for itself in 2.5 years;
  • Businesses at the Abel Point Marina at Airlie Beach joined forces to plan and fund a joint recycling program for cardboard and co-mingled waste including a training program for staff coordinated by the local Charter Boat Association;
  • The Big Red Cat ferry service to North Stradbroke Island has already reduced its energy bill by 35% through changes to its timetable – the equivalent of taking 181 cars off the road, and is now looking at ways to further improve through recycling and visitor education;

  • Cape Hillsborough Resort will reduce energy use associated with their hot water systems by 75% by replacing their six gas fired hot water systems with four heat pump systems. It is predicted they will save almost $9,000 from their current energy bill.

Case Studies

A series of case studies have been prepared on the participants in the Sustainable Regions pilot program.

1. Airlie Beach Case Studies
2. North Stradbroke Island Operators
3. Mackay Case Studies
4. Magnetic Island Case Studies
5. Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy Case Studies
6. Capricorn Coast Case Studies
7. Gold Coast Case Studies

“Working together, Airlie Beach’s tourism operators can build a sustainable tourism industry and meet the expectations of our guests by offering them the sustainable holiday experience they expect.”  Jeff Aquilina, Water’s Edge Apartments

Marketing and Promotion

Television

In partnership with Channel 9, Tourism Queensland has developed short commercials to promote sustainable tourism operators and participants of the Sustainable Regions program. These are available for download for the following regions:

Living Green - Abel Point Marina Airlie Beach Living Green - North Stradbroke Island Living Green - Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 Living Green - Cruise Whitsundays Airlie Beach Living Green - Mackay Hinterland Living Green - Magnetic Island

Print

To support the Sustainable Regions participants influence visitor behaviour and increase awareness regarding sustainable tourism, pocket guides for each of the Regions have been developed in association with the Regional Tourism Organisations. These pocket guides are being distributed by participants and communicate ‘5 Ways’ in which can help the region to build a sustainable tourism industry. 

Under the leadership of the Regional Tourism Organisations, many of the destinations are also incorporating the Sustainable Regions program and participants into their regional marketing activities and guides.

	AirlieBeach Sustainable Regions Pocket Guide Sustainable Regions Pilot Program Final Report - Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, North Stradbroke Island, Pioneer Valley / Cape Hillsborough and Winton
	Magnetic Island Sustainable Regions Pocket Guide Sustainable Regions Pilot Program Final Report - Magnetic Island
	North Stradbroke Island Sustainable Regions Pocket Guide Sustainable Regions Pilot Program Final Report - Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, North Stradbroke Island, Pioneer Valley / Cape Hillsborough and Winton
	Pioneer Valley / Cape Hillsborough and Winton Sustainable Regions Pocket Guide Sustainable Regions Pilot Program Final Report - Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, North Stradbroke Island, Pioneer Valley / Cape Hillsborough and Winton
	Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy  Sustainable Regions Pocket Guide Sustainable Regions Pilot Program Final Report - Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy
	Capricorn Coast  Sustainable Regions Pocket Guide Sustainable Regions Pilot Program Final Report  - Capricorn Coast
	Gold Coast Sustainable Regions Pocket Guide
	Sunshine Coast Sustainable Regions Pocket Guide

Media

The Sustainable Regions program has attracted media attention both at home and overseas. Click here to view our media releases or to view our  Sustainable Regions Photo Gallery as of March 2011 .

For More Information

If you would like your region to become a Sustainable Region contact your Tourism Queensland Destination Co-ordinator on 07 3535 3535.