The hotel is the eighth Accor property in Australia to receive this independent validation of its sustainability practices.
Sustainable Tourism Certification supports urban businesses and is an additional program to Ecotourism Australia’s foundational ECO Tourism Certification, which supports nature-based tourism businesses across Australia.
Novotel Darwin CBD has met international best-practice sustainable tourism standards across eight criteria, including environmental management, interpretation and education, working with local communities, and cultural respect and sensitivity.
“We are immensely proud of Novotel Darwin CBD for achieving Ecotourism Australia’s Sustainable Tourism Certification, marking a significant milestone as the first urban hotel in the Northern Territory to meet these globally recognised standards,” says Accor Pacific chief operating officer, PM&E, Adrian Williams.
“This achievement underscores our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism.
“Novotel Darwin CBD exemplifies our dedication to environmental stewardship, community engagement and cultural respect.
“As the eighth Accor property to receive this certification, it joins a growing network of Accor hotels leading the way in sustainable tourism across Australia.”
Novotel Darwin CBD general manager Alex Murray says the hotel has worked hard to elevate its sustainability charter.
“Novotel Darwin CBD is committed to preserving this unique ecosystem [in the Northern Territory] and supporting our local community with minimised impact to our environment,” he says.
“Our hotel is situated on the lands of the Larrakia People, and we actively engage with the local community to promote opportunities to learn about their rich history, traditions and art.”
The Sustainable Tourism Certification program was launched by Ecotourism Australia in late 2022 to provide non-nature-based tourism businesses the opportunity to achieve independently verified sustainability certification.
“It is excellent to see tourism businesses take up the baton and pursue globally recognised certification, which ensures they minimise negative impacts on the environment and maximise positive outcomes for community, culture and local economy,” says Ecotourism Australia chief executive officer Elissa Keenan.
