Bobbing above one of the seven natural wonders of the world, operations aboard the Lady Musgrave HQ pontoon have a strong focus on sustainability.
The luxury liveaboard reef experience’s eco credentials are highly visible, featuring enough solar panels and wind turbines atop the pontoon to power the entire vessel.
But the operations of Lady Musgrave Experience are equally focussed on sustainability, with the team achieving Advanced Eco Certified status and being recognised as a High Standard Operator.
They’re one of the local tourism operators helping to lead the way in Bundaberg Regional Council’s journey to see the region achieve Eco Destination Certification.
As an Advanced Eco Certified Company, Lady Musgrave Experience is one of Australia’s leading and most innovative ecotourism businesses.
Lady Musgrave experience is committed to achieving best practice, using resources wisely, contributing to conserving the environment and helping local communities.
The local business has been running for over seven years and in that time has seen many advancements over the years including the recent launch of its Lady Musgrave HQ Pontoon.
Managing Director at Lady Musgrave Experience Brett Lakey said having the certification established them as an operator committed to achieving best practice.
“Advanced Eco Certified operators provide opportunities for guests to learn about the environment with an operator who is committed to achieving best practice, using resources wisely, contributing to conserving the environment and helping local communities,” Brett said.
“We are also a High Standard Tourism Operator, which means that as part of our commitment to ecologically sustainable use of the marine park, we voluntarily work to a higher standard than required by legislation.
“High Standard Operator recognition is assessed by independent certification schemes such as Ecotourism Australia and EarthCheck for providing appropriate levels of environmental protection while operating within the Marine Park.”
With the aim of conserving the natural habitat in which the business operates in, they have implemented measures to ensure the reef remains untouched by their operations.
“We want to conserve and protect the natural and cultural history of the environment that we operate in,” Brett said.
“We operate with minimal impact on the environment and are committed to protecting the coral reef and marine environment while ensuring guests have an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Our aim is to inspire and encourage our guests to learn about the Great Barrier Reef environment and reef eco-system in an immersive and fun way.”
The team encourage other businesses within the region to challenge themselves to improve and identify opportunities where they can implement practices to establish themselves as eco-certified.
“There is always an opportunity to continually improve when it comes to sustainability,” he said.
“Encourage staff and guests to identify these opportunities as well.”
Get your business Eco Certified
The ECO Destination Certification Program is a world first by Ecotourism Australia and Council’s goal is for the Bundaberg Region to become certified as an ECO Destination.
Bundaberg Regional Council is offering local tourism operators the opportunity to strengthen their appeal to high yielding, environmentally conscious visitor markets, by becoming ECO Certified through Ecotourism Australia by way of a cash subsidy to offset the first annual certification fee.
The ECO Destination Certification program assures travellers that certified destinations are backed by a strong, well-managed commitment to sustainable practices and provide high-quality nature-based tourism experiences within the region.
You can find out more here.
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