Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort has achieved Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification becoming the first resort in North Queensland to hold this prestigious certification. As the sixth Accor property to achieve Sustainable Tourism Certification, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort joins a growing cohort of sustainably focused urban hotels that meet international best-practice sustainability standards against environmental, social, cultural and sustainable management pillars.

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort General Manager, Shelly Cuthbertson, said they were thrilled to announce their certification achievement. “Becoming the first Sustainable Tourism Certified resort in North Queensland is an achievement we are immensely proud of,” said Ms Cuthbertson.

“Our hotel has been on a dedicated journey of sustainability over the past few years, and we have developed several initiatives to support our local community and minimise our impact on the environment. Being nestled at the gateway to the iconic Great Barrier Reef motivates us to identify innovative sustainability solutions, including our biodiversity reef restoration program, partnership with ecoSPIRITS and Indigenous employment scheme.”

Elissa Keenan, Chief Executive of Ecotourism Australia, said the resort’s certification achievement is helping to solidify the region as a sustainable urban destination as well as a sustainable nature destination. “We are pleased to see the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort achieve one of the first Sustainable Tourism Certifications in the region and join more than 70 existing ECO Certified operators in Tropical North Queensland,” said Ms Keenan.

“As the demand for sustainable tourism experiences continues to grow, it is great to see the enthusiasm from non-nature-based experiences and accommodations to become sustainability leaders through globally recognised certification standards that provide assurance to their guests.”

Mark Olsen, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, offered his congratulations to the resort for their certification accomplishment and their contribution to the ongoing sustainability story of Tropical North Queensland. “The Great Barrier Reef is a drawcard for visitors from around the world who are seeking experiences and accommodations that contribute to the sustainability of the destination. Our region is proud to have one of the highest concentrations of certified tourism businesses in Australia,” said  Olsen.

Ecotourism Australia launched the Sustainable Tourism Certification program late last year to provide non-nature based tourism businesses the opportunity to achieve credible and independently verified certification that meets globally recognised sustainable tourism standards.

Earlier this year, Ecotourism Australia entered into a strategic partnership with Accor to independently certify their Australian and Pacific properties as Sustainable Tourism Certified or ECO Certified. Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort joins five other Accor properties that have achieved Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification standard.