Qantas to establish a major national award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism
(photo: Boeing)
Thu 6 Mar 2008 – Qantas has announced the setting up of an award that would recognize and encourage Australian tourism operators that minimized their impact on the local environment, respected local culture and provided benefits to local communities.
“We are committed to sustainable growth across our own operations and seek to acknowledge and support tourism businesses that protect, enhance and promote Australia’s distinctive destinations and environment,” said Rob Gurney, Qantas Group General Manager Sales and Distribution.
“This award is designed to promote excellence in sustainability practices and also showcase Australia to domestic and international tourists as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations.”
Details of the “substantial” prize will be released later in the year and the winner announced in February 2009, drawn from State and Territory Sustainable winners across 25 categories.
Gurney said Qantas had a comprehensive environmental strategy in place to minimize its own impact on the environment. “The Group’s extensive range of environmental initiatives throughout the business aimed to save two million tonnes of CO2 by 2011, with targets also set for energy, waste and water reduction.”
