As one of Australia’s most biodiverse cities, the Gold Coast is naturally unique.
Latest research from Booking.com Sustainable Travel Report shows that more than 74% of travellers are committed to looking for more sustainable options. Tourism Australia's Future Demand of Travel research identified that over 33% of travellers are willing to spend more on sustainable experiences. Sustainability is increasingly influencing traveller choices in:
- where to go
- how to get there
- where to stay
- what they do when they get there.
The tourism industry has an opportunity to lead positive change by helping shape the demand travel options with a low-carbon footprint.
The framework focuses on the 4 pillars of sustainable tourism:
- Taking a managed approach to sustainability
- Implementing environmental and climate action
- Respecting culture
- Creating positive social impact
Join us as we pave the way towards a sustainable future – one journey, one choice at a time.
Program aims
- Raise traveller awareness of sustainable travel options
- Champion sustainability
- Redefine travel experiences that leave a smaller footprint on our city
Businesses are at different phases of becoming sustainable. The program we are developing will help participating businesses by providing measurable data such as:
- improvements in profitability and reducing costs
- increase in reputation, customer and employee satisfaction, competitiveness, and appeal to customers and employees
- businesses carbon footprint
- adaption to and increasing resilience to climate change
- environmental impact through reuse, repair, recycling and waste reduction
- improvements in relationships with customers, employees, local communities and suppliers.
These initiatives are aligned with national, state & local strategy frameworks.
Phase 1
The Queensland Government's Tourism Business Capability Subsidy supports eligible businesses to undertake targeted accreditation programs.
We are offering to supercharge your sustainability journey by boosting funding support for this program. We will match the Queensland Government’s offer of an additional grant of up to $2000 towards program costs.
Additionally, business who do not participate in the Queensland Government's subsidy are still eligible for the $2000 subject to the criteria outlined below.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- be the business owner or employee of a Gold Coast tourism business
- be responsible for implementing sustainable strategies within the business
- commit to the time requirements of the program
- commit to delivering the proposed outcomes and recommended targets of the program.
How to apply
Step 1
- Prepare your documentation.
- Businesses who have been approved under the Queensland Government Department of Tourism and Sport’s Tourism Business Capability Subsidy Program are eligible to apply for an additional grant from us of up to $2000 to cover any other additional costs to all accreditation program/s.
- For assessment purposes, please submit a confirmation letter from the Queensland Government outlining the accreditation program/s approved should be submitted in your application.
- If you have not received funding through Queensland Government Department of Tourism and Sport, you are just required to submit your application for assessment.
Step 2
- Apply for Tourism Sustainability Accreditation Subsidy.
- Complete the following application form.
Apply now
Step 3
Receive approval from a Tourism Officer.
Step 4
Register directly with the provider and the certification company/provider, you will need to pay upfront and retain your receipt.
Step 5
Complete your certification.
Step 6
We will make payments once the accreditation programs are completed. Programs should be completed by 31 October 2024 with invoices submitted by 30 November 2024. This grant subsidises your accreditation for the first year only.
We encourage participation in the following core accreditation schemes:
Core accreditation schemes
Dates
Phase 1 – Tourism Sustainability Accreditation Subsidy is now open!
- Applications will close when all available funds have been allocated or at our discretion.
- Notification: On approval
Phase 2 will be announced shortly.
Contact us
For enquiries, please contact us via tourism@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Partnerships
City of Gold Coast is partnering with the proposed Future Tourism Co-operative Research Centre. The partnership will drive key projects that will place the Gold Coast at the centre of a proposed $50 million national initiative to support Australia’s transition to a regenerative net zero visitor economy.