YHA Australia has reached a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first accommodation network worldwide to certify its entire portfolio with Ecotourism Australia. As of January, all 18 YHA properties have received either ECO or Sustainable Tourism Certification, marking a significant achievement in sustainable tourism.
This certification reflects YHA Australia's commitment to sustainable management, environmental stewardship, socio-economic impact, and cultural engagement. Ecotourism Australia CEO Elissa Keenan praised YHA for setting a new standard in the industry, stating, “YHA Australia’s certification journey demonstrates the power of embedding sustainability across their entire portfolio.”
The certification process involves meeting over 200 criteria across four sustainability pillars, with initial and periodic independent audits ensuring ongoing compliance. YHA's Sustainable Properties Fund supports initiatives such as renewable energy installations, water conservation, and waste reduction, including the elimination of plastic bottled water.
YHA Australia CEO Paul McGrath highlighted the importance of aligning with traveller values, noting, “Ecotourism Australia’s certification provides us with a globally recognised benchmark to apply consistently across our network, which is a clear competitive advantage for YHA.”
The certified properties span across various Australian states, including YHA Apollo Bay Eco and YHA Grampians Eco in Victoria, and YHA Sydney Harbour in New South Wales. McGrath will discuss YHA’s sustainable approach at the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit on the Gold Coast in June.
This achievement not only enhances YHA's reputation but also positions it as a leader in sustainable tourism, offering travellers confidence in their environmentally conscious choices
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