Four Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) members have joined the Ecotourism Hall of Fame marking 20 years of continued commitment to global best practice sustainability standards.

TTNQ Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen congratulated Big Cat Green Island Cruises, Calypso Reef Cruises, Passions of Paradise and Sunlover Reef Cruises on joining 59 other businesses Australia-wide previously admitted to the Hall of Fame.

“Our region continues to have a strong commitment to sustainability with 240 experiences holding certification or accreditation,” he said.

“This includes 196 Eco-certified experiences and 44 experiences with Sustainable Tourism Accreditation.

“In addition, there are two businesses and four experiences that are Earth Check certified in Tropical North Queensland.

“Tropical North Queensland is the only place in the world where two UNESCO Natural World Heritage sites meet, the Great Barrier Reef and the oldest rainforest on the planet, the Wet Tropics Rainforest, which are home to unique biodiversity and ancient ways of life.

“Sustainable travel in Tropical North Queensland invites visitors to connect with the land, the sea and the region's people, offering a deeper understanding of a way of life that has thrived in harmony with nature for tens of thousands of years.”  

Passions of Paradise Chief Executive Officer Scotty Garden said the boutique family-owned business had been educating people about the Great Barrier Reef for 36 years with the vision of offering sustainable and immersive experiences that inspire a deep connection with the ocean.

“Our ocean-loving team wants to give visitors a front row seat in the conservation activities we undertake which include planting more than 9000 corals on Hastings Reef off Cairns and undertaking more than 1000 surveys for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Eye on the Reef program in 17 years.

“Passions of Paradise is proud to be a tourism product involved in conservation.”

Sunlover Reef Cruises Chief Operating Officer Andre MacLaughlin said it was an honour to be recognised for 20 years of continuous membership with Ecotourism Australia.

“Since our inception in 1990, we've had the privilege of showcasing the stunning Moore Reef to over 2 million visitors,” he said.

“At Sunlover Reef Cruises, we take our responsibility as reef custodians seriously – through education, training and sustainable practices.

“We are proud to stand alongside Ecotourism Australia in preserving the Great Barrier Reef's beauty for generations to come.”

ENDS