Eco-lodges to join forces
Thursday 28 October 2010
Eco-lodges to join forces
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As part of a push to improve ecotourism in Australia, a collective of sustainable eco-lodges is looking to take on the world.
The lodges target ecologically aware holiday makers and currently the Eco Lodges of Australia membership group consists of 14 locations around Australia, attendees at the Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference in Noosa heard.
CEO of Ecotourism Australia, Kym Cheatham, expects the number of members to grow to as many as 40 or 50, with certified lodges already in every State.
"That would give us a critical mass that we could take overseas to market this brand which exits in other countries, but not until now here," Ms Cheatham told AAP.
"This is absolutely going to help us reinforce the national brand of There's Nothing Like Australia', because there's nothing like an Australian eco-lodge," she said.
Current members of Eco Lodges of Australia include Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Corinna Wilderness Experience in Tasmania, eco-villas on Rawnsley Park station in South Australia, O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat in the Gold Coast hinterland, Paperbark Camp in NSW, Karijini eco-retreat in WA, and the Great Ocean eco-lodge in Victoria among others.
The lodges are all designed with sustainability and minimal environmental impact in mind, and are located in stunning natural surrounds.
Daintree EcoLodge and Spa were winners of the 2010 Luxury Gold List Best Luxury Eco Tourism Award.
Matthew McClelland, Manager of Daintree EcoLodge and Spa says there is a definite need for smaller operators to work together in a marketing sense.
"It's a niche market and the 'every man for himself' approach doesn't necessarily work."
Conference convenor Tony Charters said Australia has a great opportunity by pooling the resources of these lodges and promoting them world wide.
"There's a great diversity from lodges where the focus is on getting into nature in often very low key styles, to high-end luxury lodges."