Sustainable Practices
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys considers itself to be a leader in ecotourism, defining and setting new standards for both the customer and industry. This begins with the customer experience, bringing them closer and more comfortably to the beauty and majesty of the Tasmanian coastline than ever imaginable, and ends with a lasting memory and a great story of adventure to tell their friends.
Underpinning this is a genuine connection with the Bruny Island and Tasman Peninsula environment, an understanding of the preciousness of coastal wilderness and the need to conserve them.
In 2007, the company founded the Tasmanian Coast Conservation Fund in partnership with WILDCARE Tasmania. Our conservation and sustainability efforts were recognised in 2008, winning the Australian Sensis Social Responsibility Award. The following year, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys became 100% Carbon Offset and went on to win the Tasmanian Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism in 2009, 2010 & 2011.
Ecotourism Certification
Since September 2008, Bruny Island Cruises and Tasman Island Cruises have maintained Eco-Certification from Ecotourism Australia, comprising of a thorough assessment of:
- Interpretation
- Ethical business and marketing practices
- Interaction with wildlife
- Respect and impact on the local community
- Infrastructure design including the boats and booking office
- Sustainable practices in relation to energy, waste and water
This certification takes pride of place in all Pennicott Wilderness Journeys marketing materials and is communicated to all customers as the benchmark of nature-based tourism.
For more information on the Ecotourism Australia Accreditation Program go to their website www.ecotourism.org.au.
Green Globe Lite Operator
The Green Tourism Project aims to equip tourism operators with the skills to audit their business from an environmental perspective, to measure use of water, energy and waste disposal.
As part of the Green Tourism project, an international Green accreditation company, EC3, was contracted to use their system to collect the participant's use of water and energy as well as their level of waste disposal. Starting with the data for the 2008 calendar year, each business was measured and compared to similar tourism operator types. Participants had to achieve a minimum of a baseline figure to become recognised as a Green Globe Lite operator.
Both the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys cruises achieved Green Globe Lite Operator Status in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys has managed to maintain results significantly above best practice leves for all indicators.
For more information about the Green Tourism Project, go to www.greentourism.org.au/
