Coral Sea Marina, based in Airlie Beach, Queensland, has become the first marina in Australia to earn Sustainable Tourism Certification through Ecotourism Australia.
Sustainable Tourism Certification assesses businesses, through third party auditing, against Ecotourism Australia’s ecotourism standard across the four pillars of sustainability: environmental, cultural, and socio-economic impact and sustainable business operations.
Joscelyn O’Keefe, Head of Marketing and Business Development said, “ Our marina is uniquely located at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef and as a destination marina we attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. We are acutely aware of the key role the marina plays in the development of a sustainable tourism industry in the Whitsundays and therefore, our commitment to effective environmental management is a key priority for us as a business.“
At the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the marina features 520 wet berths, two shoreside marina villages, and hosts 80% of the region’s on-water tourism experiences, including 52 commercial operators. It features interpretive signage, a seagrass nursery, and citizen science programs. The Coral Sea Academy educates guests and locals on the environment, Great Barrier Reef, and eco-friendly boating.
The marina also honors the traditional owners of the land, the Birri-Gubba Nation through cultural collaborations, signage, and online resources.
Ecotourism Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Elissa Keenan, said, “Achieving global standard certification is a testament to their dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship. It is also testament to the focus of the tourism industry in the Whitsunday’s region. We have 38 ECO Certified operators in the region and 18 operate their tour experiences from the Coral Sea Marina.”
